And they are affordable much less thank Hallmark

I don't even know what the sound actually is, but it is beyond genius. I haven't seem comments about it, but I've never heard anything so fast, subtle and funny. Just wanted to see if others noticed this.

I don't have that much to say about this season (the entire sub goes "phew!"). On the whole, this era has been difficult to binge just because it wasn't meant to be binged. It has little to do with the quality, which I've enjoyed overall, it's just a very different show from the mid 2000s-early 2010s era. Still, there was some solid stuff here. They made a Colonel Lingus joke long before the Walken sketch!

This cast doesn't really feel like an ensemble anymore. Maybe it's 'cause they dropped the "Not Ready For Prime Time Players" label, but I felt such a divide in the cast this year that irritated me because I love this cast. It just goes to show that SNL needs to constantly have changes in the cast and writing staff (cough cough take the hint, Season 52). I'm excited to see the change in Season 5.

Side note - I like Schiller's Reels more than Gary Weis' films, but once again, Mr. Bill can go straight to hell. In fact, I think they play those shorts in the 10th level of hell.

Side side note - Since I gave you a sketch to recommend from the past 2 years, I'll recommend The Pepsi Syndrome from this year. Okay, moving along...

Dan Aykroyd
(MVP - The Rolling Stones, Steve Martin, Carrie Fisher, Margot Kidder, Richard Benjamin, Milton Berle, Michael Palin (2))
Thank fuck he got the boot from Update. Right off the bat, he showed us that he’s much better than that and, at best, he’s one of the best utility players the show has ever had. I love the guy and I’d hold on to him for as long as I could.
Best - So many. Being the first cast member to moon the audience in The Nerds. Two Guys Who Are Lawyers is a sketch that can work in a newer era. Plus, he gave us Irvin Mainway, Two Wild and Crazy Guys, The Blues Brothers, Julia Child, Nazi Superman, continuing Point/Counterpoint, Going from Rod Serling to George Burns to Alfred Hitchcock all in the same sketch is a Dan highlight for me, BUT one of my favorite Aykroyd sketches is Fred Garvin: Male Prostitute.
Worst - the only time I wasn't too fond was the 3rd return of X Police.
Would I bring him back? I’d try to. If he stayed, he’d earn more MVP honors than any other cast member I’ve ranked. Either way, thank you for your service. 

Bill Murray
(MVP - Fred Willard, Buck Henry (1), Gary Busey, Richard Benjamin)
Have I mentioned I love this dude? He’s continuing his streak of being a dependable team player. I found his delivery on Update quite refreshing and necessary after the big ol’ bore it was last year.
Best - like I mentioned, he added some charisma to Update, but other highlights included jumping through a hoop of fire in Steve Martin’s monologue and then wanting a cracker, Nick The Lounge Singer, that excellent Superman sketch, and the beautifully done Perchance To Dream.
Worst - he wasn’t always great on Update and was kinda held back, but I don’t need to see The Nerds anymore. Yes, it was funny when he made Gilda break, but I didn’t need to see those characters (checks SNL Archives) THIRTEEN times?!?
Would I bring him back? Yes. He’s gonna be the show's biggest star so you gotta hold onto him before Hollywood takes him. 

Laraine Newman
(MVP - Walter Matthau, Elliott Gould, Kate Jackson)
We’re still not letting Laraine show off every episode?? Lorne seriously makes some questionable choices. I don't know how else to explain it, but I’m fully convinced if the show let her show off as much as Gilda or Belushi, she would get more love and I stand by that.
Best - Woman to Woman, Katharine Hepburn, and I got a big kick out of Child Psychiatrist.
Worst - I still don’t dislike Laraine performances. She played Anne Beverly and it was done well but I wasn’t sure of the angle of the bit. And as much as I loved X-Police, the third time wasn’t a charm and I felt bad that she had to play it straight to Dan and Bill.
Would I bring her back? Yes. I want her to get another chance to show us that she really is one of the best performers in this cast. 

Gilda Radner
(MVP - Eric Idle, Ricky Nelson)
I love Gilda but I really wish she was used better. I don’t blame her for that, but I was surprised she wasn’t forced down our throats. Not that I’m advocating for that, but I’m constantly thinking, “this is Gilda Fucking Radner, you know that, right?”
Best - She gave us a nice reserved part as herself on a date with Steve Martin while Aykroyd is an obnoxious waiter, Beach Blanket Bimbo From Outer Space where she introduced herself, her boyfriend, and her breasts, I liked her Roseanne Rosannadanna bit about quitting smoking, and Mother & Daughter was a great performance. But, come on, it has to be Candy Slice.
Worst - The Nerds, but I didn’t miss Emily Litella and did not like her appearing again.
Would I bring her back? Yes. I think one more season would be great and then let her career blossom. 

John Belushi
(MVP - Maureen Stapleton)
Belushi had a great start of the season but it didn’t last. He had a big hit with Animal House the summer before this season, he was getting applause just from entering a sketch, he was ready to become a Hollywood star, and finally put this show behind him. Boy, does it show.
Best - I enjoyed Crossroads, The Blues Brothers, Samurai Optometrist was my favorite adaptation, and his commentary in the Maureen Stapleton reminded me that I really liked his energy.
Worst - didn’t really try with his John Lennon impression and I got a little tired of his other Samurai and “BUT NOOOOOOO” bits, but I have to mention the Kate Jackson episode where he was not in good shape to perform. His voice sounded really bad and apparently his skin was green backstage. The fact that Lorne made him go on is pretty messed up.
Would I bring him back? No, but he wasn’t gonna come back anyway. Belushi has left the building and I don’t think I’ll miss him. 

Garrett Morris
(MVP - Cicely Tyson)
I was kinda offended by the way Garrett was treated this year. He was used sparingly and was given a lot of drag roles. How do you forget how to use someone in their 4th year? I felt his performances kinda suffered as a result.
Best - we opened the season with Garrett and the girls singing an ode to NBC in the style of a 40s orchestra. There was nothing funny about it but it was very well done. We also got Black Perspective with Cicely Tyson, Ant Man, Idi Aman, and my favorite was his classic Update bit calling on Mick Jagger to tell him where to find black girls who wanna…you know.
Worst - well, after that opening, he only appeared once again in the premiere and it was a waitress in the Cheeseburger sketch. One step forward, two steps back. Once I saw him doing Diana Ross, I started to get fed up with these drag bits and I just rolled my eyes whenever it happened. Also letting Jane call him a nice young negro friend. Worst of all, he was unintelligible and out of sync while singing “Bend Over, Chuck Berry”.
Would I bring him back? It would take you a few episodes to realize he was gone. I don’t mind Garrett being there, but I wish he was used better. If he wasn’t, a strong replacement should be hired. 

Jane Curtin
(MVP - Buck Henry (2))
It kinda bugged me that they really didn’t give Jane a lot of funny roles. Once again, I think Jane and Garrett are good performers but they were used completely wrong.
Best - she was good in Beach Blanket Bimbo From Outer Space and Miles Cowperthwaite where she showed her impressive British accent. We also got a funny Dolly Parton and the return of Mama Snyder.
Worst - I tuned out hard during Update this year. Crazy how I’ve rarely enjoyed Update during this binge.
Would I bring her back? I think I’d either just let Bill do Update alone and let her just be a performer or just cut her completely and hire another woman. 

Al Franken & Tom Davis
(MVP - Frank Zappa)
We didn’t get a lot of Franken and Davis but these guys stepped up their game. I’ve seen many male comedy duos in recent years and I think, even if they don’t know it, they’ve been influenced by Franken and Davis.
Best - their bit in the Zappa episode was a highlight in a very weak episode. Also, shoutout to their mime bit in The Pepsi Syndrome.
Worst - with limited options, I’ll pick their appearances in Beach Blanket Bimbo From Outer Space. It was a great sketch, and it was kinda funny seeing them there, but it just reminded me that they’re not natural performers.
Would I bring them back? Sure! I’m interested in seeing their featured player efforts. 

Non-cast MVP’s - Michael Palin (1)

Up next - my final review, Season 5

51 seasons is a lot. I built a thing to help: https://www.studio8h.fan

Answer a few questions, it gives you a season, guesses your “Lorne age,” and points you at stuff to actually watch. Made it across a few late nights with AI, which still feels wild.

No signup, no email grab, just a fan thing. Use it before NBC sends a letter.

Curious what season you get. Drop yours below.

Has anyone seen it? Has it been posted on the internet?

Anyone else hear Pete Davidson’s character from SNL when the male Alexa says ‘uhkay (ok)’?

I’d like to share once again some shots I took in the workshop with a side by side of the final look.
Enjoy!

This tickled me!

Gift article, NO PAYWALL

Wondering if anyone has a gut feeling about Veronica coming back next season? She's Canadian from my neck of the woods.

I’m actually really vibing to this.

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Did Colin and Michael go too far tonight on the part on every finale where they write each others jokes?

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

At what point is Lorne going to stop pretending to be politically fair? Let’s let the youth get in there Lorne! Let’s let the youth who don’t ever get to eat at fancy NY restaurants get in there and reshape our culture! How long are you going to contribute to the general messing up of our once great Nation?

Here's a breakdown of every behind-the-scenes moment that made this sketch work... so you don't have to.

https://youtu.be/YaQ5UwHHLW4?si=Ay1QYR9bZ-41fbmv