Have you been watching The Line, the online summer series from Saturday Night Live cast members Seth Meyers, Bill Hader, and Jason Sudeikis? Well, then you might already be familiar with the newest addition to the NBC late night show.The new guy is Bobby Moynihan, who costars in the online series (about two obsessed science fiction fans waiting in line to see a popular space movie). Others might know Moynihan from his years with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, including his improv work on ASSSSCAT (recently with this guy).
This is good news, as a show like Saturday Night Live needs new blood every year or so, just to make sure it's still fresh. Of course, there are fans who believe that the show hasn't been fresh since 2002 (or 1997 or 1991 or 1976, take your pick) and no new hire will be exciting. While I don't pretend to think that the show is as good as it was during my favorite seasons (the Phil Hartman/Dana Carvey years), when it's on target it's really good, and they have some really talented people (Hader, Kristen Wiig). Amy Poehler is leaving the show this season to star in an NBC sitcom, so they need some new people.
Moynihan had his final audition in front of SNL Executive Producer and all-around head honcho Lorne Michaels himself last weekend. That must have been, um, nerve-wracking.
[via PopCandy]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-21-2008 @ 11:45AM
Derek said...
I'm sure the 50 people who still watch SNL will be thrilled. It hasn't been funny since the early 90's.
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8-21-2008 @ 12:14PM
George said...
Ladies and gentleman: The most predictable and tired blog comment about SNL ever! Brought to you by Derek this time around!
Honestly, to everyone else reading this:
We are aware that people dont think that SNL is funny. That is OK. There are definitely some sketches that are duds, but there are also gems.
The fact remains that the show averaged a 15 share last year. That's a little better than 50 people. That's around 14 million or so.
Now that the world's most hackneyed complaint of SNL has been dealt with, on to the real news:
I've seen this guy perform with the UCB Theater as it was touring around the country. He absolutely stood out from the rest of the cast and was both charismatic and cleverly funny.
I think he'll make a great addition to the cast and will probably surpass Casey Wilson in popularity right off the bat.
8-21-2008 @ 12:36PM
Derek said...
Well somebody had to say it :-) Seriously, it has no real gems at all for me. I watch it once or twice a year and think to myself "is this still a comedy show?". It's amateurish. I really think the biggest problem with it is that it's live. Yes I know, that's the whole point. Unfortunately it just ends up being not funny. I found the things that the contestants on "whose line is it anyway" came up with funnier stuff on the spot.
8-21-2008 @ 12:06PM
MJL said...
I saw Moynihan live at UCB with his improv group the Stepfathers, and he was by far the best talent out of all of them. He's also in an ESPN commercial here in New York. Glad to see he's finally broken through.
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8-21-2008 @ 12:41PM
michael said...
I met Moynihan earlier this year, and apparently this had been lined up right before the writer's strike was announced, much to his annoyance (the writer's strike, not the SNL gig).
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8-21-2008 @ 12:38PM
Derek said...
I don't know anything about him, but maybe he'll be the spark that triggers a change. Being the newbie in the team though I doubt he'll manage to have a major influence. Someone really needs to come in and throw away whatever rulebook they're working from now because it so isn't resulting in anything like comedy.
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8-21-2008 @ 1:33PM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
I wish Lorne would take a chill pill and let these guys do at least a couple of sketches a show improv. Their improv backgrounds are what got them on the show, except for maybe Samburg. Lorne bans or fires anyone who doesn't stick to the script. He's not using the actors greatest strengths, which is a shame.
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8-21-2008 @ 2:55PM
sean tubbs said...
I agree. That would make it worthy of watching at night. As I get older, I'm much less inclined to watch it live, and even less inclined to watch it on tape. But, live? Live would be worth watching if there was improv. Some of the most memorable moments are when it all goes wrong, and they recover anyway.
8-21-2008 @ 2:15PM
Don-Don said...
I've seen the Stepfathers multiple times, not only because they are one of the funniest groups, but also because Bobby is hilarious and one of our favorites of the group.
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8-21-2008 @ 3:18PM
Kona Gallagher said...
I've also seen this guy at UCB a bunch of times. There's also a chance I may have slow-danced with him during one of the Del Close marathons, but it could have been someone completely different. It was a long night.
In any case, he's hilarious and should be a great addition to the cast.
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8-22-2008 @ 8:46AM
Glancy said...
This guys was ABSOLUTELY hilarious way back when we did Bro-rape.... SO FUNNY
Check out "BRO-RAPE" on youtube for his early work...
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8-22-2008 @ 9:00AM
Jimmy said...
The problem with SNL isn't the cast; it's Lorne. The guy needs to hand-off the show to someone who will hold the comedy to a higher standard. Laser Cats? Give me a break.
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8-24-2008 @ 9:52PM
Ford said...
I enjoy Laser Cats. I also enjoy The Stepfathers. SNL keeps getting stronger and stronger. I'm excited for the upcoming season.
8-25-2008 @ 12:12AM
Phish said...
well, the token FAT guy role has been filled now , i guess.
wonder if he will be as big a success as john belushi, or chris farley before him.
who's the token black guy again? they should get dave chapelle. that kenan guy sucks balls!
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9-15-2008 @ 2:31AM
mike said...
I watched the premier SNL tonite,, I can only say how embarrased I felt for Michael Phelps... who writes there scripts ?? I live in Chicago and go to alot of Second City , they blow SNL away... its just stupid.. not funny at all.. and enough with the Palin jokes,, your not going for laughs anymore,, just how much you can shock us..
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