Caring about SNL's 50th, why Anne Hathaway isn't Blake Lively, Ke Huy Quan and Oscar non-bounces, data nerd questions, why Nicole Kidman isn't Mikey Madison, and how Oscars have changed
Re: demographics and where I fit into them, I may be atypical, I don't know. My body is 67, but in my head I'm about 20 most of the time. I enjoy the company of my young adult granddaughters waaaaaay more than I do people in my age range. I started reading LaineyGossip somewhere between 12 and 15 years ago, and I got here by way of Tom & Lorenzo, who I rarely if ever read anymore. They used to link to LG and I enjoyed it very much, and even more so today. I've watched all of you grow, and it's been a wonderful thing to witness.
I also live in a very red part of a very red state. It was once quite blue here, mostly due to union support and the way people were raised to treat others. But sometime back in the 60's, 70's and 80's, parents would send their kids off to college, and those kids never came home. Rural life became hard and brittle, and those kids that weren't college material stayed here and grew bitter and hateful. They're the adults of the present, raising their children to be bitter and hateful, too. But those kids still go off to college, and many of them don't come home, either, and their views change over time and become different from their resentful parents. There is still a strong cluster of us blues, huddling together and trying to make change where we find it.
Anyway, not sure where I fit in, demographics-wise, but I'm a longtime loyal reader, and will continue to be until my body outlives itself. Keep doing what you do and growing. I'm here for it.
1. Lainey, et al doesn't care about the NFL or the SuperBowl and we have Kendrick'd all week. BUT, I want to talk about FINEness because Sarah said Steve Yuen was FINE and that word has been on my mind all week. FOINE, if you will, regarding the SB MVP. Jalen Hurts is 90s FINE. FOINNNNEEEEEEE. Does anyone in the demographic Jacek referenced that subscribes to this platform understand 90s FINE??? I want to hear about who you think is 90's fine, or I would love for Lainey to talk it about it in the future because some of the people of various races that are 90s FINE are not good people today. This is purely genetics. It's partially why I don't understand lusting after these very talented pudding faces (women still have to be pretty or as close to it as possible). I'm from a time where being beaten with the good genes meant you were beautiful on some sort of scientific scale (Morris Chestnut). Who today is 90's FINE? (I'll start, Kofi Siriboe, Keith Powers, J-Hope, Rishi Nair, Austin Butler)? Why was that metric traded? Was this apart of the Ronald Miller-esque tech nerds messing with our opinion algorithm? And yes, I know this is vapid. I don't apologize. Who's pretty to you? Aside from Jalen Hurts. Did I mention Jalen Hurts my eyes he's so pretty? I'm not sorry. NFL players are not always this conventionally attractive. Yay, for Jalen (and his genes)!!
2. I don't know a lot about SNL, but recently I've come across Ellen Cleghorn's comments on profiles I follow and this lady is entertaining.
3. I think about Lainey's live television commentary more and more. It makes everything...more. If that makes sense. Good education.
4. I was not on the Hathahate train, but I am very happy to have her standing in her Anne-ness. Doing the most and being the best Anne. I just now wondered if she's directed or has producing projects? I think she's got much to offer us. Yay us! Blake has always been a lot, but the not nice version so I do wonder if her prickliness will be accepted if her work ascends expectations. Could she Joan Crawford herself through it? Be talented + allowed to be a flawed? I am uncertain of her skill level. Anne has been in front of my eyes with very good work. Maybe Blake will blossom in her craft? I'm not relitigating whatever opinions are formed on all the lawsuit stuff. Just if her skill level will show us an Anne level of goodness.
Jalen Hurts is FOINE. I don't know shit about his status as a player but I do love that whole bit about his entire team being women and that only added to it. However, maybe we'll be fighting over this... but I saw him in street clothes, like a pair of trousers, and I don't love his style. His pants fit weird! OK you can yell at me now.
Yell? I can't because I don't know what you're referencing. Which pants? If we're on trousers/pants I don't know why Yuen's trousers are good. Nor his costar. I might not understand billowy. Maybe a runway does better because models make most things work?? Additionally, I might be spoiled by Colman Domingo and his tailoring. I've mostly seen Hurts in Essence, and pictures from the tunnel. At his most regular, he's giving Southern Uncle. Hot Uncle. Tell me more about his trousers/pants that you are not a fan of. Maybe also tell me about trousers you find good. Por favor??
hmmmmm. I like his choice of bold colors. The pants seem to me to be a problem because they're tight and narrow all the way down, and with an athlete's body it throws off the proportions. I think athletes often look awkward in street clothes because street clothes are not made for athletic bodies, they made for average shlubs.
But to the point of this discussion, the man is indeed foin.
I don't hate them because they're not clinging in Jon Hamm ways that you have no where else to look, but I wouldn't choose this particular outfit for him. Here's where I stalled: He's got good gams. Good proportion that can evade some players.
He's a QUE (Omega Psi Phi). Those pants might be an homage to their purple and gold. They almost look like they could be foot stirrups in how they narrow, but they're not clinging to his well shaped legs. He just needed to do the QUE anything and leap (iykyk...if you don't: https://youtu.be/HvdEBVG4-zk?si=8Fmv2FnXGs6GNsQF).
I am an Eagles but even if I wasn't I would agree with you that Jalen is FOINE! I also think Saquon is FOINE too and you haven't seen any tik toks that use his daughter's phone message about how proud she is of him?? Let me make sure you cry today lol
We diverge on Saquon. Charm and cute kids to me is Wardell (Steph) Curry level of attractive for vibes and body. FOINE?? He's got a good face. Not a Jalen level face. He does look like Juan Lamont Pope is his father (Family Matters, etc). These standards aren't real life. Thus, the 90s era attractive, or whatever men think they deserve in the present day is a level that won't be super populated. Saquon doesn't have John David Washington's gene pool nor Quincy's (father: Al B Sure) gene collection. Saquon is okay (to me). Cute even. Great ball player!
That's why I said "to me". Genetics lottery was the focus of my vapid list. No personality required for this particular list (to me). I was a kid, but I feel like 90s men were held to a standard of genetics to which they had no control. Like women, in all eras. Temporarily level playing field.
Agree with all your picks on 90s FOINE. Also, I think Taye Diggs and his silly self will always be 90s FOINE (the silliness enhances it so much!) Matt Bomer is 90s FOINE. Henry Golding, Idris Elba, Oscar Isaac. . .
Taye did have his 90s spot. His bone structure makes up for more cute than foine. Matt Bomer is indeed 90s FOINE. Henry is divine. Oscar Isaac is maybe Benjamin Bratt's successor for this time period?? Idris is almost late (age-wise) because he's possibly for the roster due to geography. Is he older than Taye? I don't know that Rick Fox has been supplanted as one of the best looking player the NBA has ever had. John David Washington is almost better than 90s FOINE. He's stunning. Perfect collision of his parent's genes. Daniel Henny walked so all these KDrama beauties could run into the ether of our consciousness. Lee Jin Wook...mmmmm. Wow, I've objectified so much.
I could get behind Tina Fey taking over from Lorne. I've watched a few episodes of the SNL50 specials and I have to say, I'm not sure if it's the way they're presenting it and trying to overly mythologize Lorne or I'm missing some gigantic piece of SNL lore, I'm kind of shocked at how much creative control Lorne Michaels seems to exercise. Like...is all of SNL's humour really being fed through this aging White dude? Does he truly have the pulse on what's funny right now? Whoever takes over, I think it'll be interesting to see what a new perspective brings to that role.
I just reread the Tom Shales oral history of SNL and am super excited for this weekend’s special. My vote would be for Tina to take over from Lorne for sure. I also think it makes sense for her at this life stage: her kids are older, and she has fully explored the Mean Girls universe. Seth Myers would also be good but with younger kids, that seems like a much harder prospect.
Seth signed a deal to continue hosting late night last year, I don't think he wants snl stress back in his life, especially since he's got his work down to four days and out by 6.
After watching Paula Pell on Late Night with SM this week and her very touching shout-out to Mikey the Shoe and the support he gave her as a writer in her early days of SNL, I can’t help but think Mike Shoemaker would be a great replacement for Lorne. As much as I hate to put forward another white guy (especially when you are recommending a female to takeover), but he does seem like he fosters a healthy, supportive environment for creatives in late night. It came across how well respected he was in the 10th anniversary special of LNSM as well.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating for anybody to take over for Lorne. I'm just saying Seth signed a big enough contract with NBC to continue late night for the foreseeable future so I don't think he's a likely replacement option.
Personally, whoever takes over for Lorne should be someone who can shift the behind the scenes nature of SNL from competition to collaboration. The people who emerge from SNL with their mental health intact are the ones who talk about having strong cooperative bonds with their fellow castmates and writers. The ones who talk about having the worst time are the ones who were there when competition was the nature of the day. So I would like to see it shift to a more permanently collaborative direction. I think this also yields better results for comedy. You can't be really funny when you're worried about your job constantly.
OK, I’m halfway through the mailbag and I’m geeking out about all this SNL content! But first, to answer your question about whether Tina Fey should succeed Lorne? Absolutely not.
From what I’ve gathered in consuming SNL history thus far, Lorne has always been ahead of his time in evolving the show and it’s cast of characters to include diverse voices — pearl clutchers of mainstream TV be damned— and not police “political” or progressive sketches too much. Tina has not proven to have any awareness of her privilege, nor has she championed diverse voices in her own work — shamelessly unapologetic to her detriment imo — so I don’t get the sense she would be the best showrunner to keep SNL evolving beyond its first 50.
I don’t have a stronger suggestion that would be willing and able to take it on, outside of maybe Seth Meyers or Andy Samberg (but I definitely don’t get the sense that wants that life again nor to leave his beautiful home in LA). Would Keenan want the job? He’s the longest tenured cast member (right?) and is wildly talented, but the boss job would be a very tough pivot from beloved, talented cast member.
My friend was Lorne’s assistant for 2-3 years and has never spilled any negative tea, but wonder if when he retires/passes, people will be more forthcoming about working with Lorne without fear of retribution. People joke about him being intimidating and dictator-like, but I don’t recall anyone sharing anything terribly damning about him.
I love the insight into the demographic of the Squawk! I think i have been reading the blog since 2008!! It’s a daily ritual. I love this little weird corner of the internet!
Sarah I hadn't thought of your point regarding not showing clips and how that can help less showy performances. Selfishly though I want the clips. I LOVE THE CLIPS!
Sarah, this trivia loving nerd can’t figure out what’s the third non-English language film nominated last year for Best Picture??
There’s The Zone of Interest and Anatomy of a Fall, is the third either Past Lives or Killers of the Flower Moon? But the latter two are partly in English too.
Re: demographics and where I fit into them, I may be atypical, I don't know. My body is 67, but in my head I'm about 20 most of the time. I enjoy the company of my young adult granddaughters waaaaaay more than I do people in my age range. I started reading LaineyGossip somewhere between 12 and 15 years ago, and I got here by way of Tom & Lorenzo, who I rarely if ever read anymore. They used to link to LG and I enjoyed it very much, and even more so today. I've watched all of you grow, and it's been a wonderful thing to witness.
I also live in a very red part of a very red state. It was once quite blue here, mostly due to union support and the way people were raised to treat others. But sometime back in the 60's, 70's and 80's, parents would send their kids off to college, and those kids never came home. Rural life became hard and brittle, and those kids that weren't college material stayed here and grew bitter and hateful. They're the adults of the present, raising their children to be bitter and hateful, too. But those kids still go off to college, and many of them don't come home, either, and their views change over time and become different from their resentful parents. There is still a strong cluster of us blues, huddling together and trying to make change where we find it.
Anyway, not sure where I fit in, demographics-wise, but I'm a longtime loyal reader, and will continue to be until my body outlives itself. Keep doing what you do and growing. I'm here for it.
1. Lainey, et al doesn't care about the NFL or the SuperBowl and we have Kendrick'd all week. BUT, I want to talk about FINEness because Sarah said Steve Yuen was FINE and that word has been on my mind all week. FOINE, if you will, regarding the SB MVP. Jalen Hurts is 90s FINE. FOINNNNEEEEEEE. Does anyone in the demographic Jacek referenced that subscribes to this platform understand 90s FINE??? I want to hear about who you think is 90's fine, or I would love for Lainey to talk it about it in the future because some of the people of various races that are 90s FINE are not good people today. This is purely genetics. It's partially why I don't understand lusting after these very talented pudding faces (women still have to be pretty or as close to it as possible). I'm from a time where being beaten with the good genes meant you were beautiful on some sort of scientific scale (Morris Chestnut). Who today is 90's FINE? (I'll start, Kofi Siriboe, Keith Powers, J-Hope, Rishi Nair, Austin Butler)? Why was that metric traded? Was this apart of the Ronald Miller-esque tech nerds messing with our opinion algorithm? And yes, I know this is vapid. I don't apologize. Who's pretty to you? Aside from Jalen Hurts. Did I mention Jalen Hurts my eyes he's so pretty? I'm not sorry. NFL players are not always this conventionally attractive. Yay, for Jalen (and his genes)!!
2. I don't know a lot about SNL, but recently I've come across Ellen Cleghorn's comments on profiles I follow and this lady is entertaining.
3. I think about Lainey's live television commentary more and more. It makes everything...more. If that makes sense. Good education.
4. I was not on the Hathahate train, but I am very happy to have her standing in her Anne-ness. Doing the most and being the best Anne. I just now wondered if she's directed or has producing projects? I think she's got much to offer us. Yay us! Blake has always been a lot, but the not nice version so I do wonder if her prickliness will be accepted if her work ascends expectations. Could she Joan Crawford herself through it? Be talented + allowed to be a flawed? I am uncertain of her skill level. Anne has been in front of my eyes with very good work. Maybe Blake will blossom in her craft? I'm not relitigating whatever opinions are formed on all the lawsuit stuff. Just if her skill level will show us an Anne level of goodness.
Jalen Hurts is FOINE. I don't know shit about his status as a player but I do love that whole bit about his entire team being women and that only added to it. However, maybe we'll be fighting over this... but I saw him in street clothes, like a pair of trousers, and I don't love his style. His pants fit weird! OK you can yell at me now.
I saw that picture...from the Today show? He is FOINE but those pants gave me the ick.
Yell? I can't because I don't know what you're referencing. Which pants? If we're on trousers/pants I don't know why Yuen's trousers are good. Nor his costar. I might not understand billowy. Maybe a runway does better because models make most things work?? Additionally, I might be spoiled by Colman Domingo and his tailoring. I've mostly seen Hurts in Essence, and pictures from the tunnel. At his most regular, he's giving Southern Uncle. Hot Uncle. Tell me more about his trousers/pants that you are not a fan of. Maybe also tell me about trousers you find good. Por favor??
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSFTrW6btc3Lj5y-fafBlHp9cF8e_G7NT16aA&s
hmmmmm. I like his choice of bold colors. The pants seem to me to be a problem because they're tight and narrow all the way down, and with an athlete's body it throws off the proportions. I think athletes often look awkward in street clothes because street clothes are not made for athletic bodies, they made for average shlubs.
But to the point of this discussion, the man is indeed foin.
I think many just need a good tailor.
I don't hate them because they're not clinging in Jon Hamm ways that you have no where else to look, but I wouldn't choose this particular outfit for him. Here's where I stalled: He's got good gams. Good proportion that can evade some players.
He's a QUE (Omega Psi Phi). Those pants might be an homage to their purple and gold. They almost look like they could be foot stirrups in how they narrow, but they're not clinging to his well shaped legs. He just needed to do the QUE anything and leap (iykyk...if you don't: https://youtu.be/HvdEBVG4-zk?si=8Fmv2FnXGs6GNsQF).
I am an Eagles but even if I wasn't I would agree with you that Jalen is FOINE! I also think Saquon is FOINE too and you haven't seen any tik toks that use his daughter's phone message about how proud she is of him?? Let me make sure you cry today lol
https://www.tiktok.com/@espn/video/7469906082178010398
We diverge on Saquon. Charm and cute kids to me is Wardell (Steph) Curry level of attractive for vibes and body. FOINE?? He's got a good face. Not a Jalen level face. He does look like Juan Lamont Pope is his father (Family Matters, etc). These standards aren't real life. Thus, the 90s era attractive, or whatever men think they deserve in the present day is a level that won't be super populated. Saquon doesn't have John David Washington's gene pool nor Quincy's (father: Al B Sure) gene collection. Saquon is okay (to me). Cute even. Great ball player!
Fair enough! FOINE is sometimes in the eye of the beholder lol
That's why I said "to me". Genetics lottery was the focus of my vapid list. No personality required for this particular list (to me). I was a kid, but I feel like 90s men were held to a standard of genetics to which they had no control. Like women, in all eras. Temporarily level playing field.
Agree with all your picks on 90s FOINE. Also, I think Taye Diggs and his silly self will always be 90s FOINE (the silliness enhances it so much!) Matt Bomer is 90s FOINE. Henry Golding, Idris Elba, Oscar Isaac. . .
Taye did have his 90s spot. His bone structure makes up for more cute than foine. Matt Bomer is indeed 90s FOINE. Henry is divine. Oscar Isaac is maybe Benjamin Bratt's successor for this time period?? Idris is almost late (age-wise) because he's possibly for the roster due to geography. Is he older than Taye? I don't know that Rick Fox has been supplanted as one of the best looking player the NBA has ever had. John David Washington is almost better than 90s FOINE. He's stunning. Perfect collision of his parent's genes. Daniel Henny walked so all these KDrama beauties could run into the ether of our consciousness. Lee Jin Wook...mmmmm. Wow, I've objectified so much.
I could get behind Tina Fey taking over from Lorne. I've watched a few episodes of the SNL50 specials and I have to say, I'm not sure if it's the way they're presenting it and trying to overly mythologize Lorne or I'm missing some gigantic piece of SNL lore, I'm kind of shocked at how much creative control Lorne Michaels seems to exercise. Like...is all of SNL's humour really being fed through this aging White dude? Does he truly have the pulse on what's funny right now? Whoever takes over, I think it'll be interesting to see what a new perspective brings to that role.
Thanks for answering my question, Sarah!
I just reread the Tom Shales oral history of SNL and am super excited for this weekend’s special. My vote would be for Tina to take over from Lorne for sure. I also think it makes sense for her at this life stage: her kids are older, and she has fully explored the Mean Girls universe. Seth Myers would also be good but with younger kids, that seems like a much harder prospect.
Seth signed a deal to continue hosting late night last year, I don't think he wants snl stress back in his life, especially since he's got his work down to four days and out by 6.
After watching Paula Pell on Late Night with SM this week and her very touching shout-out to Mikey the Shoe and the support he gave her as a writer in her early days of SNL, I can’t help but think Mike Shoemaker would be a great replacement for Lorne. As much as I hate to put forward another white guy (especially when you are recommending a female to takeover), but he does seem like he fosters a healthy, supportive environment for creatives in late night. It came across how well respected he was in the 10th anniversary special of LNSM as well.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating for anybody to take over for Lorne. I'm just saying Seth signed a big enough contract with NBC to continue late night for the foreseeable future so I don't think he's a likely replacement option.
Personally, whoever takes over for Lorne should be someone who can shift the behind the scenes nature of SNL from competition to collaboration. The people who emerge from SNL with their mental health intact are the ones who talk about having strong cooperative bonds with their fellow castmates and writers. The ones who talk about having the worst time are the ones who were there when competition was the nature of the day. So I would like to see it shift to a more permanently collaborative direction. I think this also yields better results for comedy. You can't be really funny when you're worried about your job constantly.
I would love it to be little miss bossypants as well.
OK, I’m halfway through the mailbag and I’m geeking out about all this SNL content! But first, to answer your question about whether Tina Fey should succeed Lorne? Absolutely not.
From what I’ve gathered in consuming SNL history thus far, Lorne has always been ahead of his time in evolving the show and it’s cast of characters to include diverse voices — pearl clutchers of mainstream TV be damned— and not police “political” or progressive sketches too much. Tina has not proven to have any awareness of her privilege, nor has she championed diverse voices in her own work — shamelessly unapologetic to her detriment imo — so I don’t get the sense she would be the best showrunner to keep SNL evolving beyond its first 50.
I don’t have a stronger suggestion that would be willing and able to take it on, outside of maybe Seth Meyers or Andy Samberg (but I definitely don’t get the sense that wants that life again nor to leave his beautiful home in LA). Would Keenan want the job? He’s the longest tenured cast member (right?) and is wildly talented, but the boss job would be a very tough pivot from beloved, talented cast member.
You know who I would fucking love as the next showrunner but will probably never happen?
BOWEN.
YANG!!!!
Yessss!!! This is a great idea! Bowen Yang is my favourite
Okay this is an interesting point that kind of answers my comment questioning Lorne’s influence. I don’t know enough SNL inside baseball!
My friend was Lorne’s assistant for 2-3 years and has never spilled any negative tea, but wonder if when he retires/passes, people will be more forthcoming about working with Lorne without fear of retribution. People joke about him being intimidating and dictator-like, but I don’t recall anyone sharing anything terribly damning about him.
Ooo really looking forward to that newsletter about the behind the scenes. Super interesting.
SAME I came here to say that!
I love the insight into the demographic of the Squawk! I think i have been reading the blog since 2008!! It’s a daily ritual. I love this little weird corner of the internet!
Sarah I hadn't thought of your point regarding not showing clips and how that can help less showy performances. Selfishly though I want the clips. I LOVE THE CLIPS!
Sarah, this trivia loving nerd can’t figure out what’s the third non-English language film nominated last year for Best Picture??
There’s The Zone of Interest and Anatomy of a Fall, is the third either Past Lives or Killers of the Flower Moon? But the latter two are partly in English too.