'SNL' STAR MAY NOT COME BACK

[Brian Damage]

July 19, 2007 -- OPRAH might be checking out of "Saturday Night Live."

Maya Rudolph and NBC are still negotiating on whether she will return to the late-night sketch-comedy show this fall.

Rudolph is famous for her depiction of the Queen of Daytime Oprah Winfrey along with dozens of other impressions, including Donatella Versace, Christina Aguilera and Condoleeza Rice.

"SNL" chief Lorne Michaels told critics attending the semi-annual press tour in Los Angeles this week that "talks are continuing" with Rudolph.

Typically, the returning cast is not set in stone until right before the season starts and talks, in the past, have occasionally gone down to the wire.

"SNL" sources say that Rudolph - who joined the show in 2000 - has been mulling the possibility of leaving for some time to pursue a movie career.

Her boyfriend - and the father of her daughter, Pearl - is filmmaker PT Anderson, the writer and director of "Boogie Nights," "Magnolia" and "Punch Drunk Love."

Rudolph's mother was the late singer Minnie Riperton, who is best known for her 1975 hit "Lovin' You." At the end of the song, Riperton can be heard singing "Maya, Maya . . ."

Rudolph also sings in a great percentage of the "SNL" sketches in which she participates.

Losing Rudolph could prove to be a blow for "SNL," which already has a shortage of funny female cast members.

Between the departure of Tina Fey last year and potentially losing Rudolph, that would leave Amy Pohler and Kristin Wiig as the only two main female characters.

Pohler already does double duty as both the show's "Weekend Update" anchor and appears in a slew of sketches.


http://www.nypost.com/seven/07192007/tv/maya_space_tv_don_kaplan.htm

[Mikado]

That show is still on TV? :lol: (If it were a horse, they'd have shot it by now )

[catlover79]

That show is still on TV? :lol: (If it were a horse, they'd have shot it by now )
That's what I always say about ER. :lol:

[Funnyyousaythat]

But ER is a well-written show. The cast keeps changing but the hospital is the star. Kind of like the procedurals like Law & Order.

[Funnyyousaythat]

SNL will outlive us all.

[Mikado]

SNL will outlive us all.
Right, it will be the only thing, other than cockroaches, to survive the Worldwide nuclear holocaust ! :lol:

[catlover79]

Right, it will be the only thing, other than cockroaches, to survive the Worldwide nuclear holocaust ! :lol:
You forgot to mention Cher. :lol:

[Mikado]

You forgot to mention Cher. :lol:
Right, she's protected by all those layers of make-up :rolleyes:

[catlover79]

Right, she's protected by all those layers of make-up :rolleyes:
Not to mention all the artificial parts she's gotten from all her plastic surgeries. :lol:

[Ireneparalegal]

How abt SNL not coming back? That thing needs to just go away.

[TJL]

I didn't know Miss Rudolph was still on the show.

[Funnyyousaythat]

How abt SNL not coming back? That thing needs to just go away.

[Funnyyousaythat]

You're really being out-of-touch. SNL may not have many great cast members but there are sketches that have had mass appeal in the pop icon even in the past two years... and it's possibly more profitable than ever before. The Alec Baldwin show alone was one of the best of the decade.

[Ireneparalegal]

My opinion is that SNL was at its prime during the 70's. I watched it back then. Now, it has become a joke of up and coming people using the SNL floor to make it and then leave to become movie stars. *yawning*

I know I am not the only one who thinks it should go away.

[Funnyyousaythat]

You are part of a handful of out-of-touch people. To each his own opinion, but it really isn't worth anything. You don't affect anything.

[Funnyyousaythat]

The first star of SNL left quickly and soon made movies so even your point isn't valid.

[Ireneparalegal]

The first star of SNL left quickly and soon made movies so even your point isn't valid.
And neither are your posts.:lol:

Besides, that era of SNL was WORTH WATCHING. Those were some class acts with notable and memorable characters. They haven't shown anything worth watching or remembering for over ten years now. If you enjoy it so much, keep watching it. I don't.

[Ireneparalegal]

You are part of a handful of out-of-touch people. To each his own opinion, but it really isn't worth anything. You don't affect anything.
And you mean nothing. :rofl: SNL/ THE ALEC BALDWIN SHOW...gimme a friggin' break...:rofl:

[Funnyyousaythat]

Stop ranting. You claim to have not even seen the show since the Carter administration so you continue to appear incoherent. You don't know what you're talking about. I've watched the show for decades and love the early years, too. But the show is an institution and thrives.

You are entitled to your opinion but it isn't based on any facts. Do you really think your squawking will make a money-machine for over 30 years go away?

[Ireneparalegal]

Stop ranting. You claim to have not even seen the show since the Carter administration so you continue to appear incoherent. You don't know what you're talking about. I've watched the show for decades and love the early years, too. But the show is an institution and thrives.

You are entitled to your opinion but it isn't based on any facts. Do you really think your squawking will make a money-machine for over 30 years go away?

I am not the only one who hates SNL.

For a newbie, you won't last long around here with that stick up your... :rofl:

Let the countdown begin...

[Mikado]

Ive watched SNL over the years, and every year, i would watch again, just to see if its gotten any better but, other than being "ok" during the Mike Myers years, to me, this show hasnt been worth watching since Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo left. However, it must be admitted that it still manages good enough ratings to be renewed each year, perhaps the real problem is that "its all been done" and this show simply doesnt seem as innovative as it once did. ( Even some of Monty Python hasnt aged well after almost 40 years, after all )

[Funnyyousaythat]

I've watched SNL (usually live) every season since October 11, 1975. Everyone knows the show has had peaks and valleys. I would prefer to discuss the show with people who have in an interest in it. There is no point arguing with some crabby lady who foolishly thinks the show will go away. You can't argue with ignorance.

[Funnyyousaythat]

Ive watched SNL over the years, and every year, i would watch again, just to see if its gotten any better but, other than being "ok" during the Mike Myers years, to me, this show hasnt been worth watching since Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo left. However, it must be admitted that it still manages good enough ratings to be renewed each year, perhaps the real problem is that "its all been done" and this show simply doesnt seem as innovative as it once did. ( Even some of Monty Python hasnt aged well after almost 40 years, after all )


It is still innovative. Sometimes that is determined by a younger audience. Sometimes the political satire or pop culture parodies resonate. The digital shorts have been groundbreaking, critically acclaimed and highly profitable. Amy Poehler is a rising star, as is Andy Samberg in a career trajectory mirroring Adam Sandler's. The aforementioned Alec Baldwin show was a good indication of how the classic sensibilities of the show and the younger cast mesh. Not only were there great walkons by Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Martin Short, Paul McCartney and Tony Bennett (now that's great live television!), Baldwin always lifts the material with his performances and blends in with the new casts. The great thing about SNL is you can never count it out. It's always one rising star away from a return to greatness. I've been to many of the shows and although the original cast will always be legendary, many of those early sketches don't hold up over time. The last half-hour has always been a dumping ground. 30 Rock is also a well-produced descendant of the show. Baldwin alone is usually good for some big laughs.

[Mikado]

Wow thats impressive, you can call yourself a "super fan"...I wonder how many other people could say theyve watched SNL for all 32 years? :eek:
( Not many, id guess )

[snl 70s show fan]

ive been watching for 28 years i love the old cast john belushi is my all time fave but to say that this cast is no good or that cast is no good is not fair every season has some merit and even the first cast contary to the myth that every show or sketch was gold did eps or sketches that just plain stunk i have a friend who's daughter watched the show all the time when she was a teen and liked it alot and my friend said he didnt know anybody still watched snl and i told him i still watched it every week he told me he watched it alot in collage but had;nt seen it in years but since his daughter and i who are 12 years apart in age can like the same show that that maybe he would watch it one week and see what he was missing .he did and he told me the next day that he didnt realize how funny it still was and that now he knew why his daughter and i both raved aboout the show from then on he watched the show as much as he could and he told me that at times he laughed at snl just as much as he did in 1975 i will admit that once in a while i wonder if at nearly 36 years of age im too old for snl anymore but then i see a sketch or a new cast member like kristen wigh and realize that im still having as much fun watching the show as i did years ago i guess you never really get too old for snl .

[Funnyyousaythat]

Wow thats impressive, you can call yourself a "super fan"...I wonder how many other people could say theyve watched SNL for all 32 years? :eek:
( Not many, id guess )

I think most people who grew up with the show have... many just come and go but there is usually something, if only a favorite musical guest that brings you back. The occasional specials and documentaries (SNL: The First Five Years, et al.) always are popular for a wide range of ages.

Kristin Wiig is also very good, agreed!

[Ireneparalegal]

Wow thats impressive, you can call yourself a "super fan"...I wonder how many other people could say theyve watched SNL for all 32 years? :eek:
( Not many, id guess )
Not many is right. :lol:

[Ireneparalegal]

Ive watched SNL over the years, and every year, i would watch again, just to see if its gotten any better but, other than being "ok" during the Mike Myers years, to me, this show hasnt been worth watching since Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo left. However, it must be admitted that it still manages good enough ratings to be renewed each year, perhaps the real problem is that "its all been done" and this show simply doesnt seem as innovative as it once did. ( Even some of Monty Python hasnt aged well after almost 40 years, after all )
Well said my sweets. ;)

[Stuck In The '70's]

I was one of the original viewers and I loved the show when the original cast was on. After they left though , so did I. I did start watching it again in the early 90's when Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman were on but after Carvey left so did I and I haven't watched it since. I don't even know who's on it anymore.

[Mikado]

Well said my sweets. ;)
Ty Irene :kiss:

[*Pleasant Tomorrow*]

I've watched SNL (usually live) every season since October 11, 1975. Everyone knows the show has had peaks and valleys. I would prefer to discuss the show with people who have in an interest in it. There is no point arguing with some crabby lady who foolishly thinks the show will go away. You can't argue with ignorance.
I agree with you. It always goes up and down, but in the end it's a major symbol in tv history and still continues to be. How many people havn't seen dick in a box?

Lots of people who watched it in the early days don't like to give it a chance, or maybe it's just that they don't like the different humor...and it does indeed go through different types of humor. That's perfectly fine, but the dissing it receives for all that it's accomplished is pretty lame.

Anyway, I hope Maya comes back. She's great. But if not, the show definitely needs new female cast members anyway. Kristin Wiig is an awesome addition, though. She's hilarious.

[MaydayMalonesGirl]

How abt SNL not coming back? That thing needs to just go away.

http://www.papercards.com/store/graphics/card1706m-f.jpg

[PrettyinPink55]

Seriously, who worth watching is left on that show?? Everybody worth watching is either leaving or has already left. :( It's hard for me to warm up to new cast members.

[Funnyyousaythat]

Seriously, who worth watching is left on that show?? Everybody worth watching is either leaving or has already left. :( It's hard for me to warm up to new cast members.

The cyclical nature has always been part of the show's history. Most cast members only stay five years or so. An exception to the rule is Darrell Hammond who continually delivers some of the best impersonations ever. Of the more recent cast members, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Seth Meyers and Kristin Wiig stand out. Very new cast members often take awhile to break out especially in the large ensemble.

[The Idol]

snl has its good eras and bad eras, people who havent watched it in 20 years wouldnt know how great it was in the mid and late 90s...with will ferrell...and molly shannon...those were some great eppies.

right now its going through a transitional period, so its not that good but i think soon everything will fall into place and itll get better :)

I am not the only one who hates SNL.

For a newbie, you won't last long around here with that stick up your... :rofl:

Let the countdown begin...
what a nice way to greet a newbie to the boards :rolleyes: ...who has the stick up their :rofl:?

[Lex Luthor]

what a nice way to greet a newbie to the boards :rolleyes: ...who has the stick up their :rofl:?

Go back and read the posts from the beggining, the "newbie" started the personal references. "you don't matter", "you have no clue", prior to that it was just discussing the show. Some people love a show and others do not (to each his own) but if you are going to get personal then expect it to come back.

[Scoobiedoo30]

Any news on if The Star is coming back