An Open Letter To Saturday Night Live

Dear SNL,

Well. You did it. The 2005-06 season is over. Give yourself a pat on the back for making it through in one piece...sortof.

You started off a little shaky. Remember when everyone was saying that this season was probably one of the worst you've had? I'm not gonna lie...I agreed. But you showed real promise with your featured players like Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig and Jason Sudeikis. All three were very welcome addition to the cast. Then came the golden child: Andy Samberg. His "brilliant" video, Lazy Sunday, was a runaway hit that you definitely deserved and needed (ok, I'll admit that I was a big fan of it for about 2 weeks just like everyone else). But then...you got a little ahead of yourself. The Digital Shorts were cool the first time or two. But you went a bit overboard. We all knew it but, we wouldn't say anything because you did something really funny once so we thought that with a little breathing room you could come up with something good again. But you didn't. I was a little upset and I think I still am. It was funny and yet not funny enough. Oh and do me a favor? Make Andy Samberg do some live sketches and then I'll think he's worth being on your show. I believe its called Saturday Night LIVE not "Saturday Night Live with pre-taped digital shorts featuring Andy!"

The saving grace this season was the triumphant return of Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey and the increase in skits for Amy Poehler. The "Kaitlin and Rick" skit? Genius. You should do that every week. Mainly because my stepdad's name is Rick and it reminds me of myself when I was a hyperactive 12 year old.

Weekend Update is still great because it's Tina & Amy and nothing could be funnier. As long as you keep Jimmy-I can't keep a straight face- Fallon away from the newsdesk, I have no complaints.

Now, lets talk about Kristen Wiig. My new obsession, and not in the creepy stalker way, is probably the funniest person to join the show in a long time. Her impressions are uncanny and she's just all-around awesome. Is it just me or is the "Two A-holes" skit every single person that graduated from my college? I'm pretty sure she met some of them and then brainstormed with the writers about the yuppy scum from my alma mater only to turn out a brilliant piece of sketch comedy. Well played, Kristen.

In closing, SNL, I just want to say that I'm a bit disappointed but hopelessly optimistic about the future. If you continue to hone the talent you have you can have a great 2006-07 season. But here are a few helpful tips for the fall:

1) Cool it with the Digital Shorts
2) No more "Falconer" sketches...as they are not funny. But don't let that discourage you from showing off Will Forte cause he's really funny.
3) Kevin Spacey is a great host. DO NOT pair him with someone like Nelly Furtado. What a letdown.
4) I know that La Lohan was funny her first time as a host but, that doesn't mean you should keep having her as she delves further and further into her coke spiral. She's gross and just because she agrees to "make fun of herself" in the most tame way ever...don't give her another chance at host. I mean, she's no Tom Hanks.
5) Give me a job as a writer. Please?

Your friend,
Ashley
xoxo