SNL has been putting on a live show for over 30 years, but is it time they started recording in advance?
Let's face it, the most interesting and memorable things SNL has accomplished in recent years have been their Digital Shorts. Cast after cast pulls in talented comics and talented writers, but they never seem to live completely up to that talent. I think it's unquestionable that they could make a better show if they took more time for each show and recorded in advance.
So, why don't they? Why do they stick with the live format? Should they?
There is something to be said for tradition, for the fact that live is in the title (although, they have been going by simply SNL for a while now, just stop mentioning the full title and no one will care). There is something to be said for the creative energy that can propel a show on a deadline. There is also something to be said for live theater in general and for being a show business institution. Finally, the only other reason I can think of, some of the shows best moments come from screw ups live on air. Well, and the cocaine.
Still,
a little while ago I asked if SNL was still funny or relevant. I'm not sure we'd need to ask that question if they taped the show and gave themselves more time to perfect the sketches.
What do you think?
Should SNL abandon the live format?
Comments (20)
but...*pout...if they did that, wouldn't they be just like a lot of other shows out there??
@imTHEmeowMIXcat@xanga - agree.... sometimes they flop...but sometimes they really ARE great for being just in the moment. i'd stop watching if it was all pre-recorded.
Dead on...the shorts are the only relevant and good thing left. I actually just blogged about this after watching (or wasting) another saturday night viewing.
Well SNL sucks pretty darn bad right now, especially in comparison to their golden years where they were downright amazing. I'm not sure pre-taping will make it better, they just need funny shit.
I love the shorts that they do. And honestly, they need a change.
I find that, generally, the digital shorts and most of Weekend Update (particularly the news stories, not so much the fake interviews) are consistently funny. As for the rest, it's maybe funny 30% of the time. Granted, I find that 30% is funny enough that it makes watching the whole episode worth it.
While I certainly agree that it's going downhill, I think it would be even less funny if it were entirely pre-taped. You're right - a lot of the magic of SNL is because it's live and on a deadline. You'd lose all that.
I never found SNL funny, live or unlive.
Yeah. they should redo their show. it's getting lame.
SNL should stay live.
Like imTHEmeowMIXcative
the show would be like every other sitcom out there. SNL would lose it's 'essence'.
i think so. SNP... saturday night pre-recorded.
If they did that Ashlee Simpson wouldn't have been caught.
The digital shorts are popular because people have better access to them and they get plastered all over youtube.
It wouldn't matter to me, I quit watching that show years ago. They lost all the good people they had to Hollywood.
I agree the digital shorts are HILARIOUS... but if they got rid of the live format, it wouldn't be saturday night live...
@starestraightintothesun@xanga - but what if they worked the ideas over better? There has been a lot of success with pre-recorded sketch comedy shows - from monty python's flying circus to kids in the hall to mr. show to the state. Don't you think it would be better than just 30%
if they pre-recorded the sketches, would that mean they would have canned laughter a la saved by the bell???
and there would go the last integrity of live/impromptu that out there on local stations, I don't like this idea
@nprospect - It's true that it's worked for other shows. But SNL is a lot different from those other shows. If they made it all pre-recorded, it would change the feel quite a bit.
Plus, it's always the same guys that are in the digital shorts. Prerecorded may be their strength, but it's not other cast members'.
They need to stay live. If they aren't live, there's no reason for them being on the air.
There's a good reason why the shorts are better- Because there's more control over editing and music- and it takes a lot more talent to pull something off right in the moment. The shorts can be edited and they can record more than one take. Of course they're going to seem better produced and funnier than the live sketches.
But if they lose their live format it won't be the same show.It won't be SNL.
SNL should and will stay live. They just need better comedians. 'Nuff said.