I think the blowback on Victoria, as well as Piscopo and Rob Schneider, in terms of either ignoring or undervaluing their contributions does come from their more right wing or libertarian leaning opinions on social issues.
Not sure about Miller though as he is still pals with Bill O’Reilly. For some reason though it seems Miller’s and Nealon’s time on the desk get ignored in favor of Norm’s in a way that makes it seem Norm, not Dennis, was the one that brought WU out of the dark ages after the original 5 years era. IDK, maybe it’s just the SNL fandom circles I hang out in there. And don’t worry, I do think Norm did build upon what Dennis did in terms of in a way making WU be a template for stuff like The Daily Show. Easily in Top 5 WU/SNN/SNNB anchors of all time.
Adding to that, is the idea that parts of their personalities that rub others the wrong way, and it can lead to fans, even whom watched the shows religiously in their heydays, go “were they really even that great in the first place?”
Case in point in how this can happen, I’ve soured on Jon Lovitz over the last 10 or so years due to how he and his partners ran his LA based comedy club into the ground, including not only stiffing a very popular podcast that did weekly live shows there, but when they left the intermediary told the pod host you’ll never find a better deal. The host found one at the original Improv in about a half hour or so!
And when Jon was a guest on the show, he really played up a jerk persona that in hindsight makes you wonder if that’s more of the real Jon than him just dicking around onstage with audience members and the hosts of the show.
Now push comes to shove, I wouldn’t let that affect how I’d rank him among a cast member all-time list, and certainly he belongs in conversations for the best during his years.
But I can see how if he said or did something (obviously excluding certain horrific and unethical acts that go well beyond badly managing a comedy club) that went against what masses of the SNL fanbase believe (at least in the current atmospheres)
Season 14 is the greatest season IMO, Dana, Phil, Jan et. al are on full cylinders, Presidential election and unlike season 3, no clunkers like Madeline Kahn (her ep) Hugh Hefner, or Ray Charles
Scot: I just finished all of Season 13. Not to spoil anything, but it's a shaky 13 episodes (writers' strike). However ... right near the end of the season, I can see them locking into the feel/tone that would allow S14 to thrive. Looking forward to that.
Really excited about the next (checks notes) seven episodes of this podcast including this one. Honestly, the next NINE even though the 8th and 9th will be somewhat of a trainwreck. What a run SNL is about to have!
Scot: There are some years you feel justified rushing through a bit, but I want to take my time to truly appreciate these upcoming seasons. Tons of good stuff on the way.
I think the blowback on Victoria, as well as Piscopo and Rob Schneider, in terms of either ignoring or undervaluing their contributions does come from their more right wing or libertarian leaning opinions on social issues.
Not sure about Miller though as he is still pals with Bill O’Reilly. For some reason though it seems Miller’s and Nealon’s time on the desk get ignored in favor of Norm’s in a way that makes it seem Norm, not Dennis, was the one that brought WU out of the dark ages after the original 5 years era. IDK, maybe it’s just the SNL fandom circles I hang out in there. And don’t worry, I do think Norm did build upon what Dennis did in terms of in a way making WU be a template for stuff like The Daily Show. Easily in Top 5 WU/SNN/SNNB anchors of all time.
Adding to that, is the idea that parts of their personalities that rub others the wrong way, and it can lead to fans, even whom watched the shows religiously in their heydays, go “were they really even that great in the first place?”
Case in point in how this can happen, I’ve soured on Jon Lovitz over the last 10 or so years due to how he and his partners ran his LA based comedy club into the ground, including not only stiffing a very popular podcast that did weekly live shows there, but when they left the intermediary told the pod host you’ll never find a better deal. The host found one at the original Improv in about a half hour or so!
And when Jon was a guest on the show, he really played up a jerk persona that in hindsight makes you wonder if that’s more of the real Jon than him just dicking around onstage with audience members and the hosts of the show.
Now push comes to shove, I wouldn’t let that affect how I’d rank him among a cast member all-time list, and certainly he belongs in conversations for the best during his years.
But I can see how if he said or did something (obviously excluding certain horrific and unethical acts that go well beyond badly managing a comedy club) that went against what masses of the SNL fanbase believe (at least in the current atmospheres)
Season 14 is the greatest season IMO, Dana, Phil, Jan et. al are on full cylinders, Presidential election and unlike season 3, no clunkers like Madeline Kahn (her ep) Hugh Hefner, or Ray Charles
Scot: I just finished all of Season 13. Not to spoil anything, but it's a shaky 13 episodes (writers' strike). However ... right near the end of the season, I can see them locking into the feel/tone that would allow S14 to thrive. Looking forward to that.
Really excited about the next (checks notes) seven episodes of this podcast including this one. Honestly, the next NINE even though the 8th and 9th will be somewhat of a trainwreck. What a run SNL is about to have!
Scot: There are some years you feel justified rushing through a bit, but I want to take my time to truly appreciate these upcoming seasons. Tons of good stuff on the way.