During a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe Rogan and guest Neal Brennan delved into the topic of comedy, particularly focusing on the constraints faced by long-standing comedy institution Saturday Night Live (SNL). Rogan expressed his views on SNL’s self-imposed limitations, describing them as “handcuffing” the show.
Constraints on Comedy
Rogan pointed out that SNL, especially in recent years, has restricted itself creatively due to concerns over what can and cannot be said on network TV.
SNL seems like they handicap themselves, like they’re handcuffing themselves…less back then, but now for sure.
Joe Rogan says that this might be because of the executives and higher-ups working at Saturday Night Live that are “overly-cautious” to please everyone who have different ideologies and different political views.
If you’re on network television, you’re dealing with so many executives. They’re all terrified and everyone’s scared and everyone’s ideologically captured, There’s certain things you can’t joke around about. It’s like, God, there’s so much ground you can’t cover. And it’s just, you handicap yourself. You just handcuff yourself.
Furthermore, Rogan, who found success in the podcasting format elaborated on the challenges posed by the traditional format of television, particularly the need to adhere to commercial breaks and time constraints.
He argued that these limitations hinder the ability to produce content that diverges from standard norms, making it difficult to compete with the freedom offered by the internet.
The fact that you have to break for commercials. The fact that you have a specific amount of time, all of that is just, you can’t compete with the internet because of that. You just can’t.
Cancelled Sketches
SNL also takes down a few of their videos to be a bit more sensitive to the parties they parody. Such as the video of Legally Blond: The Musical, where it was a parody of an actual middle-school production of a musical.
It was speculated to be taken down to prevent online bullying of the kids involved. Or a sketch of one of Chris Farley’s characters called “Relapse Guy” which was taken down because of Chris Farley’s death caused by drug overdose.
SNL’s Reception and Evolution
SNL’s reception among audiences has been a topic of debate. A November 2022 poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies for Newsweek revealed that only one in five people found the show consistently funny. However, nearly half of those polled acknowledged that SNL occasionally delivers humorous content.
Since its debut in October 1975, SNL has become renowned for its satirical sketches lampooning contemporary events and personalities. The show has hosted a bunch of celebrities as guest hosts, solidifying its status as a massive part of pop culture as a whole.
A few watchers of the show state that the guests themselves aren’t actually a problem, but rather the way they try to “tiptoe” around certain topics.
Fans also speculate that SNL bringing in guest hosts that are a bit “controversial” like Dave Chappelle and most recently, Shane Gillis, is a way for SNL to win back their audience by showing that they truly do value comedy.
Gillis was fired from SNL because of edgy comments and then invited back to be a host a few years later (You can read more about it HERE!).
The same thing happened to legendary comedian Norm Macdonald who was a former cast member, fired, and then invited as host, to which he delivered an iconic monologue slamming the state of SNL right on stage.
Criticism from Former Cast Members
Former SNL cast members have not been shy about expressing their criticisms of the show. Rob Schneider, who was part of the SNL ensemble from 1988 to 1994, voiced his discontent during an appearance on The Glenn Beck Podcast in August 2022.
Schneider pinpointed a particular sketch from November 2016, featuring Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton, as the moment he believed the show had lost its edge.
Alec Baldwin, who holds the record for hosting SNL the most times, responded to Schneider’s critique in a video posted on Instagram. Baldwin defended the show, acknowledging that not every episode is stellar but highlighting its enduring relevance and impact.
While criticism of SNL is not uncommon, the show’s ability to remain a cultural touchstone for nearly five decades is a testament to its enduring appeal. If you’re looking for more LIVE comedy shows, then we’ve got tons of those here at Big Belly Comedy Club. We’ve got you covered 7 nights a week so come on in!
Joe Rogan
