# Long-time cast members \[Wiig, Samberg and Sudeikis\] departing SNL **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 9, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274 "2012-04-09T17:06:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/21 "2012-04-09T22:41:47Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > But of all current cast members, right now I think the show would fall to pieces if Bill Hader left. He’s great in everything. Stefon is possibly the funniest thing in the show’s history. While I agree that Bill Hader is absolutely excellent, and overall, his celebrity impressions are actually every bit as good as Phil Hartman’s were, I think that Stefon is yet another SNL bit that has been absolutely run into the fucking ground, turning a once very funny bit into stupid, simplistic tripe, with the only entertaining aspect about it whether or not Hader cracks up during his spot. (Even that is overdone and played out) ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/22 "2012-04-09T23:19:19Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > While I agree that Bill Hader is absolutely excellent, and overall, his celebrity impressions are actually every bit as good as Phil Hartman’s were, I think that Stefon is yet another SNL bit that has been absolutely run into the fucking ground, turning a once very funny bit into stupid, simplistic tripe, with the only entertaining aspect about it whether or not Hader cracks up during his spot. (Even that is overdone and played out) No! Its still funny! Curse you!! _shakes fist_ ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/23 "2012-04-10T04:43:27Z")
I won’t miss Wiig at all. Not one bit. I mean, she’s all right as a supporting player, but so many of her lead roles are total change-the-channel moments for me that her absence is going to be very welcome to me. Samberg seems to be leaving at just the right time, I think; I’m not tired of seeing him on the show yet, but I think I would be if he was around much longer. Sudeikis is a pretty decent “glue guy.” He’s not a crucial loss, but if any of these three decided to stick around, I would hope he was the one. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/24 "2012-04-10T05:17:25Z")
I maintain that Wiig is funny; I remember years ago when she first started, she did well early on. It’s just that _all_ of the writers want to write sketches for her, and she ends up having to do a bunch of poorly-written material. ---
**Author:** ![tumbleddown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tumbleddown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tumbleddown)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/25 "2012-04-10T13:31:31Z")
It is well past time for Wiig to be gone. Her entire shtick is put on a wig and talk in a strange voice. Beyond tiresome. I’ll miss Jason Sudeikis, who makes me smile in everything he does on the show, including (especially) his increasingly athletic dancing as “guy in sweatsuit” during the otherwise execrable “What’s Up With That?” skits. If Samberg goes, they’ll need to do one more “Deep House Dish” with him as T’Shane. They’ve retired that, for reasons I cannot fathom, while continuing the most inane crap (like Gilly). It requires a guest host who can sing, though, so that could be the problem. I wonder, if Samberg does depart, if his Lonely Island partners, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer will stay on as writers. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/26 "2012-04-10T14:32:29Z")
Okay, I’ll be the one to say it: I thought this week’s Gilly sketch was actually funny. Kenan in the arm casts always cracks me up, the sight gag with Moynahan’s books (while juvenile) was unexpected and made me laugh. And Wiig twisted it around a bit at the end, purposely breaking character and kind of winkingly acknowledging that they know everybody hates these sketches. I have to believe this was Gilly’s swan song; one last time for old time’s sake before Wiig rides off. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/27 "2012-04-10T15:57:32Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > Can they take Moynihan and Thompson with them, please? I love Bobby Moynihan though he’s underused on SNL and is much funnier in side-things I’ve seen/heard him on (specifically the Comedy Bang Bang podcasts when he was a guest). Drunk Uncle is great, as is “Catchphrase Kings of Comedy.” (which he wrote). ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/28 "2012-04-10T17:53:01Z")
I haven’t watched SNL in years, but I have caught Kristen Wiig a few times and liked her. Problem is, while watching her in \*Bridesmaids \*for instance, all I kept thinking of was her doing a live-action Lola Bunny… ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/29 "2012-04-12T21:16:36Z")
Can someone explain what is funny about Gilly? I like Wiig fine, and I thought Bridesmaids was pretty good, but I find Gilly so unfunnny that I literally don’t know what the joke is. Is it pulling weird faces in a funny wig? That can’t be all of it. But she stares into the camera and says something like “Sorry”, and I can’t describe what the joke is. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/30 "2012-04-12T21:41:35Z")
I thought maybe it was a tribute to (desecration of?) the old _Nancy_ comic strip. Whatever it is, it was clear evidence that someone should’ve been executing veto power over sketch ideas that were utter shit, who was asleep at the wheel. Good riddance and I dread the inevitable Wiig guest hosting episode, for which all the horrible characters and fucked-out catchphrases will be trotted out yet again, sure as shootin’. Hope she does better in a movie career or a show that will allow her to showcase her actual talents, which do seem to exist. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/31 "2012-04-12T21:45:09Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > …as is “Catchphrase Kings of Comedy.” (which he wrote). For some reason, I absolutely _loved_ this bit, but I assumed that I was the only person alive today who somehow found it even slightly humorous, as I myself have no idea about exactly _WHY_ I find it so funny… “Funky Boy!” ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/32 "2012-04-12T21:52:21Z")
I’ve never liked any of Wiig’s characters. I particularly hate the Target Lady. And I didn’t think she was any good in her appearances on _Flight of the Conchords_ and _Portlandia_. I haven’t seen _Bridesmaids_ yet. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/33 "2012-04-13T16:28:23Z")
> [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](#): > > For some reason, I absolutely _loved_ this bit, but I assumed that I was the only person alive today who somehow found it even slightly humorous, as I myself have no idea about exactly _WHY_ I find it so funny… > > “Funky Boy!” Slappy Pappy whup whup! ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/34 "2012-04-13T16:52:24Z")
I just remembered that there is another Bobby Moynihan bit that was pretty good; He plays an autistic kid who is insanely excited about the most mundane things he sees (“A free pencil?!? For ME!!! Wow, great, great!!!”) until he is introduced to a celebrity, where he is suddenly indifferent to the point of rudeness. It’s about the only other sketch I can recall that features him that I really like, but I always have gotten some pretty good laughs from his over-the-top childish excitement. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/35 "2012-04-13T17:00:18Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I’ve never liked any of Wiig’s characters. I particularly hate the Target Lady. > > And I didn’t think she was any good in her appearances on _Flight of the Conchords_ and _Portlandia_. I haven’t seen _Bridesmaids_ yet. She was very good in _Knocked Up_ albeit for a VERY small part. I like Wiig in the sense I think she is very talented, but either the writers have not done her any favors or she has done it to herself, because so many of her skits and characters are simply overused and/or unfunny (Gilly unfunny, dramatic password actress, funny but way overused). ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274/36 "2012-04-13T17:10:18Z")
And I have to add that I am unable to objectively evaluate Andy Samberg’s comedy, because I can’t stand looking at his face. Ugh. Just gross. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/long-time-cast-members-wiig-samberg-and-sudeikis-departing-snl/618274.md?page=1)