Save SNL

intro

Hi there!  Just wanted to pop over to introduce myself:

I am the webmistress of LeslieDotCom and an SNL fan.  My first memory of watching was sometime in the early 80s, and how difficult it was to stay awake for the entire show.  My favorite performers are Aykroyd/Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Christopher Guest, and Darryl Hammond (as Clinton).

I can't profess myself to be the ultimate encyclopedia of SNL facts and trivia, but I will certainly call 'em as I see 'em.

Let the Crusade begin!

SNL Recap Ratings System

To go along with the show recaps, I've devised a "complicated" ratings system to help note the quality of each sketch.

* One of the greatest sketches ever. "Evil Boss" from the Pierce Brosnan show, for example. 

* Solid laughs. 

* Good but not great. 

* Indifference. 

* Was there comedy in that?

* Screw you SNL!  This would go to bits such as Bear City, or Big Wigs.  

Musical performances will not be given a grade, but will still freely be thrashed if necessary.

Look for the system to debut this weekend when John C. Reilly hosts, with musical guest My Chemical Romance (and a potential cameo appearance by Will Ferrell).

Who Am I? Why Am I Here?

I started watching Saturday Night Live in 1986, when I was only eleven years old.  Kids at school had been quoting something called "The Church Lady", and I wanted to be able to join in.  I've watched it ever since.

As the years went on I made a point to watch all the reruns that were shown on channels like VH1 and Comedy Central. At this point I'm certain I've seen every episode of the show that's been made available.

So then what's the deal with SaveSNL.com?  Well first, it most certainly is not an excuse to bash SNL on a weekly basis.  General consensus right now is that the show is in a huge downward spiral, and yes, I will be writing recaps of the live shows, sometimes as they happen (stop by and join in!).  But no matter how brutal the language gets or how mad I seemingly am at a particular show or sketch, please don't think that I hate the series.

Again, let me be very clear: I do not hate Saturday Night Live. I find it disappointing most of the time these days, but if I hated it I wouldn't watch it, and I most certainly wouldn't have this website celebrating its history and expressing my desire for it to return to its former glory.

So what can you expect to find here each and every day?  For starters, there doesn't seem to be a good location on the web for all the SNL and SNL related news out there.  This series has over 30 years worth of cast members, most of whom are still out there, doing something.  And I think they're worth keeping track of.  They've given me joy in the past, and this is how I can give back... by promoting their current projects.  I'm also building a comprehensive list of all of the official websites of past and present cast members (look for that in the right hand column).

As mentioned before you'll also get my weekly show recaps, often times done live as the show is in progress.  Seriously, stop by and participate.  It's fun and you know it.

Then you'll get a taste of my opinions on how to improve the show, hence the the whole "saving" part of the title of this site.  Now do I expect my views to change anything?  Probably not.  I'm sure that because of the way the show is structured and the politics and the network and the whatnot, some of them are practically impossible.  Perhaps that is also a problem that needs to be addressed.

And really, who am I?  Just a passionate viewer.  A faithful viewer who loves to laugh and hopes each week that the show will provide exactly what I'm looking for.  No, I've never written for a sketch comedy show or performed live in front of millions of people.  But I don't think that'll invalidate my opinions on the matter.  Ultimately they're supposed to be writing and performing for me, right?

My thanks go out to Leslie who, after most likely getting bored with having to listen to my most recent SNL tirade, inspired me to create this website and take my cause to the people.  She's not as passionate about the show as I am but does enjoy it quite a bit, and is just as brutally honest as I am when it sucks.  Hopefully she'll be making contributions here in the future as well.

Thank you and good night!