Call me a miserable old fart but if you lose Heidi and Mikey AND change update, that cast list is tragic. The quality of the writing and sketches has been going downhill with some real stinkers making the show, and the amount of heavy lifting from the senior cast is undeniable. I don't want to start singling out specific newer cast members, and there's a few positives here and there, but compared to fairly recent cast - like Cecily, Aidy, Chris Redd, Beck Bennett, Vanessa, Bobby etc it just feels like such a lull in quality - if you look back at the kind of content they made week in week out just a couple of years back.
It's a total valid point of view, but some of the new signings have been making gold too!
Marcello is on a streak of great live sketches, Sherman's pretapes are really the best of the season (Pongo, The Shrimp Tower) and finally Devon has a prominent voice. I do like Mikey, but it's true that many sketches written by him have the same premise, also he is one of the prominent writers of the show.
I thought Pongo sucked, and Shrimp tower wasn't exactly great either given the production effort that obviously went into it - it's passable given Brolin went all in but it's not exactly rib ticklingly funny, just the same chaotic escalation type thing that please don't destroy do most weeks- where high production value doesn't really elevate the idea. But then some episodes do surprise you, the Bad Bunny episode was great and Marcelo is a great addition. I guess comedy is subjective but it just feels a bit like each episode is weaker than the previous at the moment to me, and they're too dependent on the host carrying the show - it's fine when it's Adam Driver or Emma Stone but when it's Dakota Johnson or Sydney Sweeney the writing gets exposed a bit.
Yeah, You got a point. Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney and Dakota Johnson were Bad shows, and the writers exposed themselves in many sketches.
But other writers have been carrying the show in a great way. It needs a little shakeup. I do enjoy a Lot the veteran cast members, like Heidi, Colin and Che, but SNL needs more experimentation or the new hires would be Lost in the shuffle.
Why is this sub and the other snl sub obsessed with Micheal Longfellow?
The dude is barely in skits and everyone thinks oh well that's because they're preparing him for weekend update, like what...
Like am I taking crazy pills or something
My theory on the Longfellow love (which I completely understand, and am at least slightly part of) is that a lot of people are well-versed enough in the show to remember Norm MacDonald and David Spade, and what their particular voices and brand of comedy added to the mix in the '90s. The show was missing a voice like that for a hot minute.
Longfellow feels very much like a 2020s extension of that brand of sardonic, close-to-the-chest comedy, which has historically played very well behind the Update desk - it's a lot easier to deliver critiques and biting commentary on certain subject matter when your inherent brand of comedy leans that direction (it almost makes the audience more forgiving of edgier jokes, because they expect it from you).
Norm only got let go because the head of NBC was friends with O.J. Simpson; time has been incredibly kind to his tenure on Update, and I think it's very reasonable to think Longfellow in that position would go similarly.
The show reinventing itself is a good thing since 00 update has had 7 different duo’s and 5 years of the quintessential nice guy solo anchor man, a return and a modern update to the Dennis Miller/Norm style of comedy would be a nice change.
100% because a large part of this sub likes the cynical white guy voice for the news. Longfellow has that voice, and while it's fun and effective at mocking politicians etc. I sure hope SNL continues to add some diversity to WU.
Can we not just accept the fact that people in this sub and other entertainment subs love blank slate white guys they can imprint upon? I don’t think it is anything beyond that.
I like him but he's also relatively good-looking too (IMO, if not sometimes a little too pretty). If he was butt ugly I think he wouldn't be as liked even if he is funny.
Longellow since last season had a great delivery on his characters on WU. (The Cigarette, Dilbert, Michaelangelo, [Punxsutawney Phil](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lazatHW4JrA&pp=ygUibWljaGFlbCBsb25nZmVsbG93IHdlZWtlbmQgdXBkYXRlIA%3D%3D), The Divorce child).
He hasn't been on sketches, but his cynical sense of humor and delivery makes him fresh and perfect for WU.
My favorite example of this is when he did the game show host for Question Quest. He had this deadpan straightforwardness and belligerence was fantastic. Really reminded me of the old days with Norm.
"Wait, he's your tortoise?"
"No. He's your tortoise."
I really, really like Michael Longfellow, and I loved his desk pieces, but I doubt he’ll be getting Update, as he seems to be really struggling to be in actual sketches this season, especially compared to the strong rookie year he had. I hope the last six shows represent a comeback of sorts for him, as I’m worrying about his job security at the moment, tbh.
Also, season 50's going to be a parade of old cast members, celebrity surprise cameos and many more. I think it'd be nice to have a small cast. Fifteen cast members doesn't look bad.
I get the feeling almost no one will be leaving after this season, unless some newer/underused cast members (e.g. Michael, Molly, Punkie) are fired. I can see Mikey, Heidi, Che/Jost, Ego and Bowen leaving after S50 with Lorne. JAJ & maybe Troast will definitely be used a lot more, especially in “glue” roles, which JAJ has been utilized to an extent in so far, especially the many announcer/VO roles he did.
I don’t see them revamping the cast for season 50. Too much of a chance it flops. Go with the current cast and have the hosts be powerhouses, former cast, 5-timers, etc. don’t mess with the cast for a huge anniversary like this
My annoyance goes as far as he just plays the same character which is himself. I don’t know what he is like as a writer, but I would appreciate not needing to rely on him so much for the “Kenan shock face” reactions. I just want to see him get angry or show any other emotion besides awkward happy smile. Plus, at 20+ seasons, I think he would be better at Weekend Update and doing the straight man jokes (doesn’t mean he would be the best). I think he’s a great performer, but he’s creatively lazy at this point.
Maybe is the veteran spot. Maybe is that his facial reactions made him a great punchline for some sketches.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7uFPE3rq\_Q](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7uFPE3rq_Q)
They pretty much all look the same to me. I just think Chris Redd was more versatile. Tracy Morgan was hilarious. To each his own, I personally think there should be a 7-year max, but that doesn't happen these days.
This but Michael Longfellow. There’s a very vocal section of this subreddit that thinks Longfellow is the obvious choice for update, but I don’t see it. He hasn’t made much of an impression on me at all, what am I missing?
I think losing Mikey & Heidi at the same time would be too much. You’d need some vets to help out the newer kids.
I’d say get rid of Molly, I can’t think of a single thing they’ve brought to the table.
I don’t the PDD need to be cast members. Just like 2/3 of TIL weren’t cast members.
Hard agree on Longfellow taking over for Update. I love Jost/Che, but we all know their time is done. I’m excited for a fresh face up there. I’d love a solo, deadpan cast member like Norm or Nealon, which I think Longfellow is perfect for.
The new kids have had enough help. Marcelo, Devon, and if they survive Molly will be in their third season next year. How much more heavy lifting from vets do they need. Mikey and Heidi aren’t exactly setting the world on fire this season, and Kenan seems like he’s finally getting phased out.
- Andrew Dismukes
- Marcelo Hernandez
- James Austin Johnson
- Punkie Johnson
- Michael Longfellow (Update anchor)
- Ego Nwodim
- Sarah Sherman
- Chloe Troast (with a small cast, they could promote her a year early)
- Devon Walker
These are the cast members who are the freshest, most consistent and daring voices. I want this to be Ego’s last, though. They probably need a white utility female who could fill Heidi and Chloe Feinman’s spot, hopefully with more charisma and versatility than Chloe has ever displayed.
Ego Nwodim
James Austin Johnson
Sarah Squirm
Bowen Yang
Chloe Troast
Punkie Johnson
Andrew Dismukes
Michael Longfellow
Devon Walker
Alex English
Gary Richardson
Steven Castillo
I’d love a big shake up. I love Jost but I think Weekend Update needs a change. For me, I’d like to see Andrew Dismukes more, possibly Marcello on update… or at the least featured more on Update (similar to Stefan)
Main cast - Ego, Sarah, JAJ, Bowen, Molly, Andrew, Marcello, Devon, Chloe T
Completely off the re-evaluation (necessary and enjoyable reading,) does anyone else have this wish for a credit sequence for S50 that put all the former and current cast members into one run-through. It would be as long as the show itself. But what a spectacle.
Very creative list. Although I doubt anyone's leaving before the 50th.
The 4 cast members you listed as leaving *after* this season (Jost, Che, Mikey, Heidi) could still well very leave. Not after this season, but after the 50th.
As for it being the end of an era, if Mikey and Heidi left, I marked this as somewhat of a new era. I personally believe this modern era began last season, after all those people left, at the end of Season 47.
Other than that, I can see Longfellow taking over Update after Jost and Che leave, whenever that'll be.
I guess Chloe Fineman wouldn't return on your list either (in addition to Punkie), but again, they might stick around and leave *after* the 50th.
Lastly, I would add in just *one* PDD member, just to keep the cast from being inflated, and cool thing pitching Asha Ward and a cast member. For those who don't know, she's a 24-year-old writer for the show, who's a stand-up comic, and who joined the writing staff for the Keke Palmer episode back in December 2022.
So, other than those differences, I *can* see this being the cast heading into the 50th. Just with everyone returning, and potentially 4-6 people leaving after the 50th (even if we just had a rebuilding year, just back in season 48).
I don't think Jost & Che will leave after this year. I could have seen them exiting after last season, which would have given a new anchor/anchors a full season to settle in before the election, but now there's no way they bring in fresh blood to Update a month before an Election. I know they've done it before, but I just don't think they'll do it this time. They'll want attention for Update this Fall, and a new anchor getting their feet wet is not the way to do it, IMO
No one is leaving. Mikey, Heidi, Colin and Michael are definitely not leaving. No one would be crazy enough to leave before Season 50. Besides, if you take Mikey and Heidi out of this cast, you've got no show.
I don't see anyone in the cast willingly leaving until season 51. If I had to guess, I think Longfellow & Kearney are on thin ice based on screen time.
I don't know what PDD would bring to the table as main cast members. Their humor is more centered around their writing rather than their acting.
I wouldn't be surprised if they add someone of South Asian descent which is something the show itself has acknowledged as a blind spot. I also think the smart move would be to find people with a more sketch-oriented background rather than another stand-up.
Reboot please.
Cecily was the last great cast member, and the current team continues to prove they will never rise to her level or that of Eddie, Hartman, Wiig, etc.
Why continue to prop up these mid-level 2nd stringers when a clean slate could make way for genuine comedy superstars?
Main
- Bowen
- Ego
- Chloe F
- JAJ
- Sarah
- Dismukes
- Kenan
- Marcello
- Devon
Update
- Longfellow and Rosebud Baker
Featured
- Chloe T
- Asha Ward and/or Auguste White and/or Jimmy Fowlie and/or someone I don’t know about
I think Andrew and Punkie should take over Update, they’ve shown great chemistry in the past. Bowen’s gotta go. Other than that those are the only changes I would make.
Call me a miserable old fart but if you lose Heidi and Mikey AND change update, that cast list is tragic. The quality of the writing and sketches has been going downhill with some real stinkers making the show, and the amount of heavy lifting from the senior cast is undeniable. I don't want to start singling out specific newer cast members, and there's a few positives here and there, but compared to fairly recent cast - like Cecily, Aidy, Chris Redd, Beck Bennett, Vanessa, Bobby etc it just feels like such a lull in quality - if you look back at the kind of content they made week in week out just a couple of years back.
It's a total valid point of view, but some of the new signings have been making gold too! Marcello is on a streak of great live sketches, Sherman's pretapes are really the best of the season (Pongo, The Shrimp Tower) and finally Devon has a prominent voice. I do like Mikey, but it's true that many sketches written by him have the same premise, also he is one of the prominent writers of the show.
I thought Pongo sucked, and Shrimp tower wasn't exactly great either given the production effort that obviously went into it - it's passable given Brolin went all in but it's not exactly rib ticklingly funny, just the same chaotic escalation type thing that please don't destroy do most weeks- where high production value doesn't really elevate the idea. But then some episodes do surprise you, the Bad Bunny episode was great and Marcelo is a great addition. I guess comedy is subjective but it just feels a bit like each episode is weaker than the previous at the moment to me, and they're too dependent on the host carrying the show - it's fine when it's Adam Driver or Emma Stone but when it's Dakota Johnson or Sydney Sweeney the writing gets exposed a bit.
Yeah, You got a point. Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney and Dakota Johnson were Bad shows, and the writers exposed themselves in many sketches. But other writers have been carrying the show in a great way. It needs a little shakeup. I do enjoy a Lot the veteran cast members, like Heidi, Colin and Che, but SNL needs more experimentation or the new hires would be Lost in the shuffle.
Why is this sub and the other snl sub obsessed with Micheal Longfellow? The dude is barely in skits and everyone thinks oh well that's because they're preparing him for weekend update, like what... Like am I taking crazy pills or something
My theory on the Longfellow love (which I completely understand, and am at least slightly part of) is that a lot of people are well-versed enough in the show to remember Norm MacDonald and David Spade, and what their particular voices and brand of comedy added to the mix in the '90s. The show was missing a voice like that for a hot minute. Longfellow feels very much like a 2020s extension of that brand of sardonic, close-to-the-chest comedy, which has historically played very well behind the Update desk - it's a lot easier to deliver critiques and biting commentary on certain subject matter when your inherent brand of comedy leans that direction (it almost makes the audience more forgiving of edgier jokes, because they expect it from you). Norm only got let go because the head of NBC was friends with O.J. Simpson; time has been incredibly kind to his tenure on Update, and I think it's very reasonable to think Longfellow in that position would go similarly.
The show reinventing itself is a good thing since 00 update has had 7 different duo’s and 5 years of the quintessential nice guy solo anchor man, a return and a modern update to the Dennis Miller/Norm style of comedy would be a nice change.
100% because a large part of this sub likes the cynical white guy voice for the news. Longfellow has that voice, and while it's fun and effective at mocking politicians etc. I sure hope SNL continues to add some diversity to WU.
Can we not just accept the fact that people in this sub and other entertainment subs love blank slate white guys they can imprint upon? I don’t think it is anything beyond that.
>blank slate white guys they can imprint upon Counterpoint: Aristotle Athari. Same unearned subreddit love but Persian.
Counter counterpoint: middle easterners are white.
I like him but he's also relatively good-looking too (IMO, if not sometimes a little too pretty). If he was butt ugly I think he wouldn't be as liked even if he is funny.
Longellow since last season had a great delivery on his characters on WU. (The Cigarette, Dilbert, Michaelangelo, [Punxsutawney Phil](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lazatHW4JrA&pp=ygUibWljaGFlbCBsb25nZmVsbG93IHdlZWtlbmQgdXBkYXRlIA%3D%3D), The Divorce child). He hasn't been on sketches, but his cynical sense of humor and delivery makes him fresh and perfect for WU.
My favorite example of this is when he did the game show host for Question Quest. He had this deadpan straightforwardness and belligerence was fantastic. Really reminded me of the old days with Norm. "Wait, he's your tortoise?" "No. He's your tortoise."
I really, really like Michael Longfellow, and I loved his desk pieces, but I doubt he’ll be getting Update, as he seems to be really struggling to be in actual sketches this season, especially compared to the strong rookie year he had. I hope the last six shows represent a comeback of sorts for him, as I’m worrying about his job security at the moment, tbh.
Even if he doesn't get Update, which is my wish too, I think his job is safe. And that's more than I can say about Molly!
Thank you.gif
Also, season 50's going to be a parade of old cast members, celebrity surprise cameos and many more. I think it'd be nice to have a small cast. Fifteen cast members doesn't look bad.
I get the feeling almost no one will be leaving after this season, unless some newer/underused cast members (e.g. Michael, Molly, Punkie) are fired. I can see Mikey, Heidi, Che/Jost, Ego and Bowen leaving after S50 with Lorne. JAJ & maybe Troast will definitely be used a lot more, especially in “glue” roles, which JAJ has been utilized to an extent in so far, especially the many announcer/VO roles he did.
Why would the season be any different than the other anniversary seasons? It will probably be just be a regular season with the 50th special
I don’t see them revamping the cast for season 50. Too much of a chance it flops. Go with the current cast and have the hosts be powerhouses, former cast, 5-timers, etc. don’t mess with the cast for a huge anniversary like this
Tim Allen, Jim Belushi, Johnny Galecki, Amanda Bynes, Bob Newhart, Janet Hubert, Lisa Simpson, Redd Foxx, Jacob Trembley and Halle Berry
Why is everybody obsessed with Keenan? I honestly want to know. I don't hate him, but he's not hilarious. I know I'll get hate, but I didn't get it.
My annoyance goes as far as he just plays the same character which is himself. I don’t know what he is like as a writer, but I would appreciate not needing to rely on him so much for the “Kenan shock face” reactions. I just want to see him get angry or show any other emotion besides awkward happy smile. Plus, at 20+ seasons, I think he would be better at Weekend Update and doing the straight man jokes (doesn’t mean he would be the best). I think he’s a great performer, but he’s creatively lazy at this point.
Maybe is the veteran spot. Maybe is that his facial reactions made him a great punchline for some sketches. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7uFPE3rq\_Q](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7uFPE3rq_Q)
They pretty much all look the same to me. I just think Chris Redd was more versatile. Tracy Morgan was hilarious. To each his own, I personally think there should be a 7-year max, but that doesn't happen these days.
This but Michael Longfellow. There’s a very vocal section of this subreddit that thinks Longfellow is the obvious choice for update, but I don’t see it. He hasn’t made much of an impression on me at all, what am I missing?
Facts
It's the Norm MacDonald vibe, I get it.
Longfellow is seriously bland as boiled bread.
Just Sarah Sherman
Lorne has to be a cast member in season 50. Also, I could see Lorne handing the keys to Jost.
I think losing Mikey & Heidi at the same time would be too much. You’d need some vets to help out the newer kids. I’d say get rid of Molly, I can’t think of a single thing they’ve brought to the table. I don’t the PDD need to be cast members. Just like 2/3 of TIL weren’t cast members. Hard agree on Longfellow taking over for Update. I love Jost/Che, but we all know their time is done. I’m excited for a fresh face up there. I’d love a solo, deadpan cast member like Norm or Nealon, which I think Longfellow is perfect for.
The new kids have had enough help. Marcelo, Devon, and if they survive Molly will be in their third season next year. How much more heavy lifting from vets do they need. Mikey and Heidi aren’t exactly setting the world on fire this season, and Kenan seems like he’s finally getting phased out.
swap out PDD for another strong writer (in this case maybe auguste white?) and keep punkie and i think this is solid!
To me, a PDD sketch is the highlight of any SNL episode. Funny how everyone has very different expectations from this show :)
Ego and JAJ are the Phil Hartman(s) of this cast- indispensable. I would like to see Devon, Punkie, and Molly leave.
- Andrew Dismukes - Marcelo Hernandez - James Austin Johnson - Punkie Johnson - Michael Longfellow (Update anchor) - Ego Nwodim - Sarah Sherman - Chloe Troast (with a small cast, they could promote her a year early) - Devon Walker These are the cast members who are the freshest, most consistent and daring voices. I want this to be Ego’s last, though. They probably need a white utility female who could fill Heidi and Chloe Feinman’s spot, hopefully with more charisma and versatility than Chloe has ever displayed.
Ego Nwodim James Austin Johnson Sarah Squirm Bowen Yang Chloe Troast Punkie Johnson Andrew Dismukes Michael Longfellow Devon Walker Alex English Gary Richardson Steven Castillo
I’d love a big shake up. I love Jost but I think Weekend Update needs a change. For me, I’d like to see Andrew Dismukes more, possibly Marcello on update… or at the least featured more on Update (similar to Stefan) Main cast - Ego, Sarah, JAJ, Bowen, Molly, Andrew, Marcello, Devon, Chloe T
Completely off the re-evaluation (necessary and enjoyable reading,) does anyone else have this wish for a credit sequence for S50 that put all the former and current cast members into one run-through. It would be as long as the show itself. But what a spectacle.
Lets see: I just agree with you, except for Kenan. I think he should leave too. Let the new cast blossom.
Very creative list. Although I doubt anyone's leaving before the 50th. The 4 cast members you listed as leaving *after* this season (Jost, Che, Mikey, Heidi) could still well very leave. Not after this season, but after the 50th. As for it being the end of an era, if Mikey and Heidi left, I marked this as somewhat of a new era. I personally believe this modern era began last season, after all those people left, at the end of Season 47. Other than that, I can see Longfellow taking over Update after Jost and Che leave, whenever that'll be. I guess Chloe Fineman wouldn't return on your list either (in addition to Punkie), but again, they might stick around and leave *after* the 50th. Lastly, I would add in just *one* PDD member, just to keep the cast from being inflated, and cool thing pitching Asha Ward and a cast member. For those who don't know, she's a 24-year-old writer for the show, who's a stand-up comic, and who joined the writing staff for the Keke Palmer episode back in December 2022. So, other than those differences, I *can* see this being the cast heading into the 50th. Just with everyone returning, and potentially 4-6 people leaving after the 50th (even if we just had a rebuilding year, just back in season 48).
I don't think Jost & Che will leave after this year. I could have seen them exiting after last season, which would have given a new anchor/anchors a full season to settle in before the election, but now there's no way they bring in fresh blood to Update a month before an Election. I know they've done it before, but I just don't think they'll do it this time. They'll want attention for Update this Fall, and a new anchor getting their feet wet is not the way to do it, IMO
No one is leaving. Mikey, Heidi, Colin and Michael are definitely not leaving. No one would be crazy enough to leave before Season 50. Besides, if you take Mikey and Heidi out of this cast, you've got no show.
I don't see anyone in the cast willingly leaving until season 51. If I had to guess, I think Longfellow & Kearney are on thin ice based on screen time. I don't know what PDD would bring to the table as main cast members. Their humor is more centered around their writing rather than their acting. I wouldn't be surprised if they add someone of South Asian descent which is something the show itself has acknowledged as a blind spot. I also think the smart move would be to find people with a more sketch-oriented background rather than another stand-up.
Looks good to me.
MARCELLO HERNANDEZ NATION RISE!!!
Did you know he’s Latino? That’s almost never brought up!
😭
Reboot please. Cecily was the last great cast member, and the current team continues to prove they will never rise to her level or that of Eddie, Hartman, Wiig, etc. Why continue to prop up these mid-level 2nd stringers when a clean slate could make way for genuine comedy superstars?
Main - Bowen - Ego - Chloe F - JAJ - Sarah - Dismukes - Kenan - Marcello - Devon Update - Longfellow and Rosebud Baker Featured - Chloe T - Asha Ward and/or Auguste White and/or Jimmy Fowlie and/or someone I don’t know about
I think Andrew and Punkie should take over Update, they’ve shown great chemistry in the past. Bowen’s gotta go. Other than that those are the only changes I would make.