SNLaysis

September 2002

We are entering a new era for SNL, one that will be marked with an A.W., After Will. Certainly the premier topic for 02/03's edition will be the departure of Will Ferrell. His absence from the show is unlike many previous stars who left in mass exoduses. This levels the cast of recurring characters down a notch. No more will we see the “Luvahs”, Jacob Silj, or The Culps anymore (unless there is some kind of painful replacement, see: The Delicious Dish). Also gone are Will’s twisted takes on Alex Trebek, Neil Diamond, and Harry Carey among others.
This of course begs the question of who will to take over Will’s much acclaimed W. role. Lorne Michaels has already ruled out resident mimic Darrell Hammond and is looking for a fresh face to take on this honor. When Phil Hartman left, SNL lampooned their own crisis by having a sketch where most of the cast tried out for Clinton (Chris Elliot played Clinton as W.C. Fields, no presidential parody has been better, not even Angie Juggs in Air Force 69), but the return of this practice seems as likely as a Lou Bega Greatest Hits album. Nothing really has been clear about who will take over Bush, but with SNL enjoying its 3rd (or are we at 4th now?) Golden Age, there still is some breathing room.
With the show returning, SNL has an entire summer of material to use, like American Idol and, um . . . American Idol? Alright, this summer has been about as active for watercooler buzz as an It’s Pat DVD release party, but there are still targets in the show’s sights.
American Idol: Yes, Jimmy Fallon has already mocked it in promos for MTV’s self-love fest, but this is 02's Blair Witch or Survivor, and will be a focal point/punching bag for a while.
The Anna Nicole Show: Granted, this was the trademark of Molly Shannon, but a thick girl with the IQ of a Jack-O-Lantern? This equals comedy gold.
Corporate Fraud: Enron was just the beginning.
Summer Blockbusters: Goldmember, XXX, Signs, Pluto Nash (wait, how the hell did Pluto Nash get in there?).
Also, musical guests have always been a key part of the show, an SNL regained hipness last year with critical darlings, The Strokes, Andrew W. K. and Ryan Adams. With Bruce Springsteen on an October show, the slate is open for even more daring choices. The Vines and The Hives seem like shoe-ins and The White Stripes are a must. This would solidify SNL as a musical barometer. 
SNL has spent its summer vacation in the critical sun, picking up acclaim faster than a love child between The Vines and The Coral. E! put two current cast members on their funniest people list (for those playing at home the duo would be Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon, with Will Ferrell also being tapped), and Tracy Morgan (aside from having his own comedy special and starring on Crank Yankers) made Entertainment Weekly’s It List. However, it was the aforementioned Fallon who has continued to bask in breakout status. Fallon has an album being released on Dreamworks in late August, which is coupled by hosting the MTV VMAs, which has become a haven for ex-Players (Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, and Dennis Miller among others, we willingly repress memories of Dan Aykroyd teaming with Bette Midler for the inaugural show). 
SNL is entering a new landscape for 02/03, one not marred by tragedy, but one with an ever changing pop-cultural landscape. While its surroundings change, SNL does not. At least not until the next castmember leaves.