Whose Season Reigns Supreme in the Complete 2010-11 SNL Relevancy Poll?
9. Nasim Pedrad -- Average Score: 8.500
Nasim Pedrad is the biggest enigma on this list. She's obviously talented, but still doesn't quite get the airtime that she deserves. Most of the time she is in a sketch, it's either as "News Reporter B" (as we saw this past week) or as someone under the age of 16. But, she's still a driving force of the "Kickspit Underground Rock Festival" sketches and, on one glorious night, she felt up Helen Mirren. Like Killam, Pedrad will become more of a force once another cast member -- in this case, Kristin Wiig -- decides to pursue her film career full time.
8. Bobby Moynihan -- Average Ranking: 8.455
I root for Bobby Moynihan. Trust me: Some people might care about SNL's history as much as Moynihan -- but no one can possibly care more. After two up and down seasons as a featured player -- though, writing the famous "Single Ladies" sketch can give a boost to one's SNL career -- Moynihan was promoted to cast member this season and, for the first two-thirds, anyhow, was really excelling. Of late, he's been relegated to the background, which hurt him here. His highlight: "Black Friday."
7. Kenan Thompson -- Average Ranking: 7.188
For Kenan, this was the year of Deandre Cole: "What's Up With That?", after premiering in late 2009, officially entered the popular culture lexicon this season. And hey, Ernest Borgnine, the real Lindsey Buckingham and even Boba Fett stopped by this season. But no other cast member could own the show one week and then completely disappear the next show like Kenan Thompson -- so its really no surprise that he's smack dab here right in the middle.
6. Jason Sudeikis -- Average Ranking: 6.727 Enjoy Jason Sudeikis on SNL while you still can. I mean, put yourself in his shoes: For whatever reason things aren't clicking with him and the show like they used to. Maybe it's the departure of Will Forte; maybe his interests are elsewhere. Regardless, Sudeikis has the look of a guy who is eying a bigger prize. Put it this way: Somehow, for 22 weeks, Jason Sudeikis never made it to the top of the weekly polls. I'm fairly sure that would have never happened in past seasons. Indeed, Sudeikis's finest moment this season was when Forte came back as a guest.
5. Kristen Wiig -- Average Ranking: 6.336 Wiig, like Sudeikis, has a future in movies. Unlike Sudeikis, Wiig now has the box-office muscle to back up a film career. Kristen Wiig made a smart move this season to retire Gilly and Penelope. It wasn't so much that these characters were that bad (OK, Gilly was), it's just that they were used so often, it would overshadow the other great things on the show that Wiig can do -- as evidenced recently with her "Ann-Margaret" sketch. It is strange, though, to see her even as low as fifth when you consider how much she dominated this show for the two seasons prior.
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Great work, Mike. This and the Scorecard have told the definitive story of SNL's season, and I'm proud to have them on the site.
And seriously, "Don't You Go Rounin Roun" never, ever gets old.
I don't mind anyone returning save Abby Elliott. She's just a black hole of nepotism and suck. Haven't seen her be funny once. If only she had the talent of her papa.
Thanks for getting that Sparkling Apple Juice song stuck back in my head. I finally got it to leave last week.
You're welcome!
Look forward to these every Sunday/Monday, Mike (even though we generally have different takes on the show) - hope to see these again in the fall.
Jay Pharoah' s fate seems linked to whether Fred Armisen and/or Keenan Thompson stick around. If one of those guys leaves, he's probably got a good shot at returning. If they both stay, he's toast.
SNL's big problem is they've got a lot of interesting players on the bench (Moynihan, Pedrad, Brittain and - I like her when they give her something to do - Abby Elliot) . . . but their don't seem to be any stars waiting in the wings. Remember when Hader, Sudekis and Samberg started? They made an impression super-quick. So did Wiig. No one's done that since, and as those four start to gray, that should be a big concern.
Also, I totally agree that Seth Myers needs a co-host. When three or four shows do the "fake news" thing all week long, Weekend Update needs a strong personality like Tina Fey or Dennis Miller or Norm to give it some life.
I've heard a bunch of people say that Brittain, Killam, or Pharaoh should be leaving next year. Everyone has their favorite (Brittain is by far the best of those 3, imo). Everyone has the guy they can't stand. There is also a general consensus that Abby Elliot is not so great. But nobody ever talks about Nasim Pedrad. That girl deserves a huge amount of credit for an outstanding season. She's easily the strongest and most consistent female cast member, imo, as I didn't care for Wiig's overtop/one-note characters recently at all.
Mike, I remember you saying at the beginning of the season that you couldn't believe Elliot was bumped up to full cast instead of Pedrad. I didn't agree with you at the time but I certainly do now. I just hope Lorne feels the same way. In a less than stellar season for the show in general, Nasim stood out in nearly every little supporting role she had. Her leading roles were even better, especially Bedelia, Kickspit, Helen Mirren's Tits, and Weekend Update (Ahmadinejad's Wife). Kim Kardashian is the only character I find super annoying, but I suppose that is the whole point.
If Seth Myers is leaving this year than I think Pedrad is the best option for Weekend Update. She has played a slew of reporters already in non-Update sketches, so we know she can pull off a news anchor very well. It would probably be best if she did it with someone else, although Im not sure who? Sudeikis would be a good fit but I doubt that will happen. Brittain is another good but unlikely choice, maybe in 2-3 years. The best scenario would be to keep Myers around for at least another year and let Nasim co-anchor, like Amy did, then she would be ready to take over by herself when he leaves. (I had actually written this for the other SNL article, before you suggested Myers get a co-anchor, I swear)
For some reason putting her at the news desk just seems like a move SNL would/should make right now. Although, it would be unheard of to have someone go from featured player straight to Update, but it would make up for the casting snub at the beginning of the season. I mean, if you add up the airtime, leading roles, or big laughs, any way you slice it Nasim was much more of a full cast member this season than Abby was or will ever be.
First off, a huge thank you for taking the time to do these recaps and relevancy polls all season! I look forward to them every week. Sometimes I agree with you, sometimes I think you're crazy, but I always enjoy your reviewing style. I hope you keep it up next season!
As for the cast, I fear the most for Paul, Abby and Jay. I hope Paul sticks around - I see him as the successor to Will Forte and hope he can break through. Jay I've always found overrated. A good impressionist, but just not that funny.
As for Abby, I think this was her weakest season of her three years with the show, sadly. Looking to the past, I think Casey Wilson, Michaela Watkins, and Jenny Slate all had stronger seasons than Abby had this year, and they were all let go. I fear her promotion to the repertory cast might still not save her for another year.
Taran was definitely the strongest of the new cast, and I hope he sticks around for a long time. While Paul excels at creepy-weird, Taran's best at offbeat and zany-weird, which I personally really appreciate.
Overall, Vanessa's probably my least favourite cast member. I want to like her, but everything she does comes off like a very amateur improv show. She stares straight at the camera/audience and shouts her lines and nods her head. She really needs to tone it down and show a bit more range.
As for the rest, I wouldn't be surprised to see Fred retire - it's just his time, I think. I'd be happy to see Seth stay with WU for a few more years, and I don't really think he needs a cohost. Nasim definitely deserves a promotion to main cast. Otherwise, I'd be perfectly happy for season 37 to keep the cast just as it is now.
Thanks! Always appreciate the support!
Pedrad on "Update" is very interesting. Actually, I'm upset I didn't think of that. I mean, look, Elliott had put in two years as a featured player -- she had to be bumped up or let go. Now Pedrad's in the same spot. She will definitely be a full time cast member next season, it's not like Lorne has a wealth of female talent.
And I agree with you, Seth should really consider weening her as a co-anchor. I mean, think about it: We haven't has an all out change at the Update desk since Colin Quinn was replaced by Fallon and Fey. Colin Quin!
First of all, thank you. It's fun to disagree about TV!
Second, on Abby Elliott... yeah, her promotion doesn't mean *that* much. Finesse Mitchell was promoted to full time cast member along with Kenan and was gone the very next season. I hope that doesn't happen, but, I agree what you said about Slate, Watkins and Wilson. Actually, I still can't believe that Wilson was let go. I really thought she was building on something.
I happen to really enjoy Abby Elliott. The fact that Jay Pharoah is somehow higher on the poll than her is ridiculous. He was absent for almost every show. Anyway, I don't think she had that bad of a year. She had the Meryl Streep thing, the Khloe Kardashian thing, the Diedra Wurtz thing, the Rosie Pope thing, and a ton of other impressions as well as supporting roles. And it wouldn't make sense for her to be let go since Kristen Wiig is preparing to exit soon anyway.
I think Abby would be a great fit for Weekend Update actually. I could see her and Seth having some really great chemistry. Nasim seems too straight...Seth already is the straight man, he needs someone who can be goofy. Anyway, I can't wait to see her next year.
P.S. Paul Brittain and Jay Pharoah should be let go.
Jay Pharoah should be either given Obama or let go. Armisen's Obama impersonation has always been subpar and Pharoah does an amazing Obama, but Pharoah doesn't seem to be able to do much beyond impressions.
@Geoff - I agree about Vanessa Bayer. My two favourite Bayer appearances were the two where she pulled it back a little: her appearance with Amisen on WU where they played the friends of Gaddafi, and her line reading in the Jesse Eisenberg sketch where he and Samberg pretend to have shrunk their penises.
Even though it was only one line, my favorite Bayer delivery this season was in the "Cribs" parody, where she was in front of a crib and said "Here it is."
So simple, and yet I couldn't stop laughing.
I don't get why so many people dislike Abby. I think she's funny. Whenever she does something I get a kick out of it.
Its between Vanessa and Abby for matronly female roles, and I think Vanessa does it better.
Any chance at having SNL reviews and relevancy polls again for season 37? I miss reading them.
Yes! But over at Mike Ryan's new home at Moviefone:
http://www.aoltv.com/2011/10/02/snl-scorecard-was-melissa-mccarthy-even-given-a-chance/
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