3. I’m Afraid I Might Miss Something–Sometimes, in a 90-minute show, there could be only a few minutes that really resonate. But there’s so much to plumb from the cultural zeitgeist week to week, SNL almost always hits the right note of parody on something, even if we’re talking a single joke during Update. They rock when there is politics to satirize, of course, but are currently in a big rut since their guy actually won. There are also often the most random of cameos, such as Madonna this past week, or a recent drop-in by Leonard Nimoy to the Update desk. And the digital shorts are occasionally too odd for words, but who can forget “The Chronicles of Narnia”, “Dick in a Box” and “I’m on a Boat”, among others? Sure, I can catch them online, but I want to say I saw them when they originally aired! 4. Goodnights–I have a very weird affection for “The Goodnights”…the little bit at the end where the host and cast come out and say farewell and thank you to the audience. I’m always looking for subtext that usually isn’t there amongst the players, and I’m wondering where everyone’s going for the after party. I know they might be a far cry from the 70s heyday, but I have to imagine they are still a total blast. 5. My DVR–Let’s face it, this device makes everything about TV watching better. It can be done faster, with less (or no) commercial breaks and you can cram more shows onto your viewing plate, even if they air opposite each other. With a show like SNL, you can easily skip sketches that drag, musical acts you don’t care for and that lame bit at ten to one that might have been better served had they read the phone book. Plus, if you’ve already given up on the show after Update and you find out the next morning that someone said the word “Fuck” live on air at 12:42, you can still watch it!
