Saturday Night Live Faces Fan Backlash as Pressure Mounts on ‘Insufferable’ Duo

Saturday Night Live went to elaborate lengths to conceal Taylor Swift’s surprise appearance during Dakota Johnson’s monologue over the weekend. Yet even one of the world’s biggest pop stars could not prevent the episode from drawing another wave of criticism.

Swift appeared at Studio 8H to tease Johnson about her romantic history, but the cameo did little to win over viewers, many of whom described the episode as “tired,” “toothless” and no longer exciting.

The backlash follows a similarly lukewarm response to NBA star and New York Knicks standout Jalen Brunson’s season-opening hosting debut the previous week. With Katseye serving as musical guest, the show was criticized for “dragging” and for relying on weak writing.

Now in its 51st season, SNL is once again facing calls for a major cast overhaul following last year’s departures. Colin Jost and Michael Che, the long-running Weekend Update anchors whom some viewers have branded “insufferable,” are among those under scrutiny.

However, behind the scenes, the most significant uncertainty may involve creator Lorne Michaels. Questions are growing over whether the longtime producer will eventually step aside, who could succeed him — including one unexpected contender — and whether Donald Trump’s continued impact on the political comedy landscape could persuade him to stay.

Michaels, 81, reportedly weighed retirement before last year’s landmark anniversary season. But according to a source who spoke to Our News Outlet, the success and scale of the celebrations ultimately prompted him to postpone any plans to leave.

“Before the 50th Anniversary, Lorne thought it might be the right moment to step away and hand control of the show to someone else,” the insider said. “But then the season unfolded, the tribute specials came together and he continued to enjoy himself, so those retirement plans gradually faded.”

The prime-time SNL 50: The Anniversary Special featured appearances from Kim Kardashian, Eddie Murphy and Sir Paul McCartney, among other high-profile guests. It attracted 14.8 million viewers, ranking among NBC’s strongest entertainment broadcasts in recent years.

Those figures hardly suggested that Saturday Night Live was preparing for a final goodbye.

The anniversary audience also represents only part of the show’s modern ratings picture. While conventional television viewing has declined across the industry, delayed viewing and Peacock streaming have helped keep SNL’s overall reach comparatively strong.

SNL averaged 8.2 million viewers during the 2015-2016 season. Its reported total for last season, which included delayed broadcasts and streaming, was 8.1 million, although the differing measurement methods make direct comparisons difficult.

The show also continues to reach millions through clips shared on YouTube and social media, proving that the long-running comedy institution still commands attention. The bigger question is whether audiences are enjoying what they see.

“People still want to be part of the show, and that means Lorne is not particularly worried,” the insider said. “He does not feel as though the entire operation is about to collapse.”

“If the show has made it this far without consistently being funny, what happens when it eventually has several genuinely funny cast members or episodes? The ratings will remain steady and the show will continue.”

Michaels has survived his share of harsh reviews since creating Saturday Night Live in 1975, a show that helped make stars of Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner and Dan Aykroyd.

After leaving the program in 1980, he returned in 1985 and went on to oversee successive generations of comedy talent, including Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Kristen Wiig.

Five decades in, he’s no stranger to calls for a clear-out. 

‘Lorne has been away from SNL in the past and was almost fired and replaced in the ’90s, but that didn’t happen,’ the insider explained, referencing a period when a young Judd Apatow was reportedly whispered about as a possible replacement for Michaels. 

This time, however, the source insists any farewell will come with Michaels calling the shots – not being shown the door.

‘If he were to leave and go out, he would do it on his own terms and NBC is perfectly fine with that,’ they said.

But while Michaels may still hold the reins, the insider believes SNL’s star-making machine has lost some of its sparkle.

‘SNL isn’t the stepping stone that it used to be. It used to make many major stars, but not so many lately,’ they said. ‘The cast they have now is not in demand anywhere else.’

But the source argues the problem isn’t a shortage of funny people – it’s what the man at the top does with them.

‘Obviously, the people who are on the show are funny, but they aren’t being used to their full potential, and that blame has to go to Lorne because he chooses the direction of the show. He determines the cast and instead of overhauling it, he is phoning it in,’ they said.

‘He is letting the show be something that makes him laugh rather than the audience laugh. He likes having the job and the power, but he isn’t going to get fired and there isn’t any competition, so it feels like the effort isn’t always put into it.

‘And nobody is ever going to tell Lorne differently or cross their boss because the cast is just happy and grateful to be there.’

Yet if disgruntled viewers expect Michaels to start by handing Colin Jost and Michael Che their marching orders, the first source suggests they may be waiting a while.

The pair have shared the Weekend Update desk since the season 40 opener in 2014. For some viewers, however, familiarity has curdled into frustration.

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‘The first order of business should be to immediately recast Weekend Update – the legacy/spiritual core of the show. Colin Jost and Michael Che are insufferable. They spend 90% of their energy laughing at their own jokes. Lorne, wake up!!!’ one critic posted on X.

Another wrote: ‘I thought Che and Colin should have been replaced eons ago. Just goes to show the bro humor they’re been mired in for years.’

Michaels, it seems, isn’t about to let the comments section run his casting meetings.

‘Colin and Michael are now a bit of an institution with SNL and Weekend Update, and Lorne doesn’t believe they are replaceable right now. He finds them both very funny,’ our source said.

And Jost apparently brings an extra helping of Hollywood sparkle to the table, courtesy of wife Scarlett Johansson.

‘Colin also has an advantage of having a wife with huge star power, which Lorne enjoys because of the clout that brings the show,’ the insider added.

Nor does Michaels see a potential departure as a reason to cut the pair loose entirely. According to our source, he could envisage a late-night future for them – should the right vacancies arise.

‘Not that he would want to see Jimmy (Fallon) or Seth (Meyers) leave late night, but if they did, he would try to pivot Colin and Michael into those spots. But he isn’t looking to replace them,’ they said. ‘If they want to leave, that is a different story.’

As if the home-grown grumbling weren’t enough, viewers have also been casting an approving eye across the Atlantic.

SNL’s British spin-off debuted on Sky One in March – and some fans are already finding its American cousin wanting.

The UK version may not have conquered traditional overnight ratings, but its online buzz and critical reception have given fans fresh ammunition.

‘They need to be harsh with cuts next season. WU [Weekend Update] needs an overhaul because SNL UK is dogwalking them,’ one X user wrote.

And it isn’t just fans drawing unflattering comparisons.

Its second season opened on September 12 with Jeff Goldblum hosting and CMAT as musical guest – and Telegraph critic Michael Hogan hailed its fresh energy while taking a swipe at the New York original.

‘SNL UK’s inaugural series this spring surprised many with its swagger and confidence, proving the sneering sceptics wrong. It thankfully didn’t fall into the trap of being too in thrall to the US original and was very much its own beast,’ he wrote.

Then came the sting.

‘Embarrassingly for head honcho Lorne Michaels, this UK spin-off is proving fresher and funnier than the stale, stodgy US original,’ Hogan added.

‘Forget boring old New York. Live from London, it’s Saturday night again.’

One X user delivered a rather less genteel verdict: ‘SNL UK mogging them every week now.’

For Michaels, who also executive produces the British version, that’s praise for one of his shows at the expense of the other.

But according to our insider, there’s one reason he’s still firmly invested in the New York original: Donald Trump.

Retirement can apparently wait when there’s political material still to mine. 

‘Lorne is very interested to stay with SNL at least until Trump is out of office as he wants control of the direction of the show’s political comedy future,’ the source said.

‘He wants to see that through and continue to have the edge that he believes they have had for decades.’

Whenever Michaels does decide to make his exit, though, the succession question promises a show of its own.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are obvious names to enter the conversation. The former Weekend Update partners have built formidable careers beyond Studio 8H, with hit films, television shows and headline-making Golden Globes hosting turns.

But the insider says Michaels has another familiar face in mind – and it’s someone who already knows his way around the building.

‘Obviously a great replacement would be Amy and Tina, but if he goes, Lorne feels he would like someone younger – or to give it to Kenan Thompson, who is one of his favorite people.’ 

Our News Outlet has contacted representatives for Michaels, Jost and Che for comment.