SNL kicks off Season 44

Chase Fryfogle / Contributor / The USD Vista

Happy birthday to the longest running variety television show in United States history. With a daunting run of 44 seasons (as of last week), it’s an understatement to say that “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) has withstood the withering tests of time. Too often do shows lose their magic by continually trying to replicate what they’ve already done successfully, only to feel stale by the second or third season. “SNL” forgoes the need for status quo shake-ups by regularly cycling in new writers and actors to the roster each season. It also helps that they have a non-stop flow of popular celebrity guests and musicians. Yet, one attitude that seems to echo from peer to peer of long-and-gone viewers is that “the show has been going downhill for a while now.” This is a phenomenon that the show’s creator and executive producer, Lorne Michaels, chalks up to viewers simply outgrowing the show. Recently, on “SNL” alumni Norm Macdonald’s talk show, “Norm Macdonald Has a Show”, Michaels stated that people’s favorite period of the show is typically when they’re in high school. So naturally, as people estrange themselves from the show, the new stuff won’t ever hold a candle to what they remember as the good ol’ days. With this season already in full motion, will it be able to live up to the legendary eras of Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, or The Lonely Island?

The cast is just as stacked with all-stars as previous generations. A seriously hilarious chimera comprised of comedic actors, stand-up comedians, internet sketch groups, and improv artists. Even at the pro level of sketch comedy, a handful of players manage to cement themselves as hall-of-famers, like Keenan Thompson. The grizzled, yet eternally jolly, veteran has been on the show since 1993, making this his 25th season. Then there’s Kate McKinnon, who’s charisma and unmatchable talent for character work have earned her the status of Queen Midas, turning every scene she’s in to gold. Her mere appearance can make the audience break out in rapturous applause. Next, the unforgettable Pete Davidson, the golden boy – a self-deprecating stand-up comic who has stepped further into the spotlight since his recent engagement to pop star, Ariana Grande. Davidson brings a boyish energy to the show that makes it appear he’s there just having a fun time, which can be seen in his consistent breaking. Breaking is laughing in the middle of a sketch, which destroys the element of immersion. Also a key member is Kyle Mooney, one of the cast members picked up from the internet sketch group, Good Neighbor. Much like the content from his internet days, he specializes in a uniquely awkward style of humor. Mooney writes sketches which breakdown popular television archetypes like sitcoms, in-the-street interviews, and reality television to their bare essentials, parodying them in a surreal way that only he can do. With a cast this strong, the 44th season is in safe hands and everything falls to the quality of writing.

The season premier episode started out incredibly strong with a cold open parodying Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court Nomination hearing. Matt Damon made a surprise appearance and portrays Kavanaugh as a beer-loving, oh-so-mild-tempered judge. Damon satirizes Kavanaugh’s behavior in a charged sketch which borrows from the language used in Kavanaugh’s actual hearing. The context of late night television works beautifully as a vehicle to communicate the subtleties of the trial which are sometimes lost in the language of politics. “Saturday Night Live” remains consistent in its ability to deliver goofy, albeit in no way subtle, satire of the political climate, highlighting the absurdities of real life with steadfast punchlines. From this point onward, the season premiere continued to knock it out of the park with a series of strong sketches. The show’s featured celebrity guest, Adam Driver, steals the show right from the get-go during his opening monologue. Some of Driver’s more stand-out roles include an Oil Tycoon on an elementary school’s career day and a disgruntled coffee consumer.

Ultimately, “SNL” has a little something for everyone, like a charcuterie of comedy, commentary, and celebrity guests. After so many seasons the show still manages to remain fresh, but comes across as a cold pool to viewers. More often than not, people only dip a toe in, only to shy away from thought of getting in. As it turns out, the best way to approach the situation is to throw caution to the wind and jump in.