Paul Rudd’s Canceled SNL Episode Is A Terrible Sign For The Show’s Future

When Saturday Night Live canceled its 2021 holiday special, it presented a terrible sign for the show’s future. In what would have been Paul Rudd’s fifth appearance hosting the long-running show, the impromptu “Best Of” episode that NBC ran in its place was surprisingly one of SNL’s most entertaining of its forty-seventh season. This unorthodox holiday special proved SNL can still be funny, albeit not in a way that benefits the show currently.

Due to an enormous spike in omicron-variant coronavirus cases in New York, the highest daily count since the pandemic’s peak, many entertainment venues and production offices closed themselves to audiences, including Saturday Night Live’s studio. While best for the safety of its cast and crew, as well as audience members, SNL was impeded by its precautions. Instead of live performances of original skits, the episode rebroadcast classic holiday-themed sketches accompanied by a handful of new prerecorded videos, including a few with Rudd involved.

Contrary to what might be expected given the situation, Saturday Night Live’s holiday special proved to be potentially its most entertaining of 2021. Many factors differentiate this episode from others, specifically the use of selected old sketches. Standing out, Eddie Murphy returned to the screen in 2019’s “North Pole News Report,” and 1986’s “Steve Martin’s Christmas Wish” proved simplest sketches can be the funniest. SNL’s usual tendency to present newly written scenes varies in quality and funniness, but “best of SNL” compilations pick specific sketches that were proven popular in the past; when only tried-and-true hits are presented, the show is obviously going to hit more consistently.

SNL also benefited from prerecording its new content. Conceptually clunky sketches, like the one-note “HomeGoods Commerical” and meandering “The Christmas Socks,” were improved by smooth and snappy editing not allowed by a live performance.  Additionally, Tina Fey joined Michael Che on the comedy news segment “Weekend Update,” a return to form for the star and a highlight for the show. Overall, SNL’s 2021 holiday special might have been missing its featured musical act, and mostly been composed of recycled sketches, but it was undeniably enjoyable.

However, despite it being a fun show, this episode’s success may endanger Saturday Night Live. As all of the content was prerecorded and proved overall more entertaining, why should SNL remain a live-broadcast show going forward—other than tradition? When SNL produced episodes during the national Covid-19 quarantine, their content seemed about as enjoyable as it had been when the cast was allowed at the studio. Seeing as being a live broadcast is part of what makes the series unique among comedy programs, there will inevitably be conflict between the difficulties and necessity of remaining live. When SNL’s cast returns in January, it would not be surprising to see Saturday Night Live change its name to simply “Saturday Night”.

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