Last week, news broke that Lorne Michaels had dropped Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson from Saturday Night Live. Casey Wilson’s ouster was understandable. She never quite made an impression, and her acting skills were questionable. But Michaela Watkins? That’s the big question mark. Fans were already pegging her as the Next Big Thing. Her Arianna Huffington impersonation was spot-on, and her giggling, straight-man Hoda Kotb was the perfect foil to Kristin Wiig’s loony Kathy Lee Gifford in what became an instant favorite sketch — the fourth hour of the Today Show parody. But even more importantly, Watkins had Angie Tempura, an internet gossip blogger whose signature line — “Bitch pleeeeeze” — ascended to the ranks of catch phrase, that all important brass ring that so many cast members hope to grab. I know my friends and I say it, and I’ve heard others do the same.
So with all these things going for Watkins in her first year alone, why on Earth would she be dropped? It simply doesn’t make sense. And if anyone has to go, why keep fellow rookie Abby Elliot? She’s not necessarily bad, but she’s hardly made the impression that Watkins had. It all leads me to believe we have some sort of high-level conspiracy going on. Perhaps this is the second coming of Norm MacDonald, who was axed because he made too many O.J. Simpson jokes (Simpson was a friend of an NBC exec at the time). So what could it be? Who did Michaela offend???
What do you think? Should Michaela Watkins have been dropped? And if SNL needs to cut some fat, who should Lorne Michaels have dropped instead?
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I loved her-she was really funny. I did read that she said that Lorne told her she was too talented for SNL and she needed her own show. Maybe that had something to do with it? Glad you’re feeling better, B!
I thought she was funny, but she didn’t make that much of an impression on me. But if anybody needs to go, it’s the fat white guy. I don’t even know his name, but I can’t stand him and all his sketches are really annoying.
Hi B hope your feeling better. Angie Tempura was absolutely my husbands and I favorite skits this year. In fact when I read it yesterday I called my husband up and started complaining I think Lorne Michaels suck now. I have watched SNL since the beginning and this may be the final straw, it’s bad enough that they have a bare minimum of woman this past year but to take out such a talent is unforgivable
oh I and I forgot to say Bitch Pleeeeeeeeeze
I agree. I thought her characters showed a real grasp of the art of humor. I especially loved her Hota Kotb and Angie Tempura. As for why Amy Elliott got to stay – her dad’s SNL alum Chris Elliott.
Casey Wilson was terrible. Michaela is very talented and she seemed to bring fresh characters to the show. Bobby Moynihan is the guy who should be on madTV. Abby is Chris’ daughter, but I don’t know if that really helped her cause. He was only on the show for 1 year and didn’t get much camera time during that year. Oh well, hopefully they’ll be better this year…or just another season of McGruber and Target Lady sketches.
BITCH PLEEEEEZZZZ!!!!! If those 2 women have been axed from the cast, there are only 2 women left….Kristen Wiig, who (I’m sorry, but) is overexposed & gets on my last nerve with her overuse of stupid facial expressions, and Abby Elliot, who I can’t even remember seeing in a major role or character. I don’t care who her father is, she hasn’t impressed me. Michaela Watkins is smart, funny, and talented….maybe that is too good for SNL. Good luck to her!