Saturday Night Live aired its thirty-sixth season during the 2010–2011 television season on NBC. This season began on September 25, 2010 with former cast member Amy Poehler serving as host and Katy Perry as the musical guest, and ended on May 21, 2011 with Justin Timberlake serving as host and Lady Gaga as musical guest.
Prior to the start of the season, many cast changes occurred. Will Forte, who had been with the show since 2002, announced on August 26, 2010 that he would be leaving the show. Featured player Jenny Slate was let go from the show after only one season. Abby Elliott and Bobby Moynihan were promoted to repertory status, becoming the first featured players to be promoted since 2006.
The show hired four new cast members: Chicago improvisers Vanessa Bayer and Paul Brittain from ImprovOlympic; stand-up comic/impressionist Jay Pharoah; and comedic actor Taran Killam of The Groundlings, who, like Jeff Richards was a former cast member on SNL's rival sketch show, MADtv.
This season also debuted a new animated feature voiced by former SNL cast members, called "Greetings from American America", created by former SNL head writer Fred Wolf.
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Reviews
Community reviews for Saturday Night Live, shown here with its season details.
G
GenerationofSwine
1.0
It was good, then it was great, then it was good again and now it stinks.
As of 2018 The edginess is gone. There are no risks in the jokes. They all consist of two things, 1. Trump is bad. and 2. This was a thing, remember it?
Neither of those really work for me. Make fun of Trump all you want, but do it with a punch line. Most of the time they forget the punchline. Simply not liking him is NOT a punchline. You have to exaggerate something, make it satire, mock it in some way. I don't even care if it's a cruel mockery...so long as it doesn't seem like they are just stating an opinion.
Opinions are NOT jokes.
The same thing goes with their "remember this, this was a thing" jokes...
They leave you sitting there waiting for them to say something funny about it. You're with them for a little while, "Yeah I remember it, go on..." then you realize that, no, that was the joke.
That's not a joke, that's just asking me to remember something.
Again, if they had a punch line, if they said something about what they were asking me to remember, then it might be funny...but they don't. The jokes are literally "this was a thing, laugh at it." and that's not funny. It has to be followed up with something.
Like with Trump, an opinion is NOT a joke unless it is followed by something. The same thing with a memory, a memory is NOT a joke in and of itself. They both have to be followed by something
s
sethdozerman
Saturday Night Live will always be my comfort show. The longevity and influence SNL has had on the comedy scene is unmatched. It has been the catalyst for so many careers, e.g. Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Will Ferrell etc... The show has definitely had its ups and downs but, in taking a step back it is evident that the show has remained consistently mixed in it entire run.
Not every season has had great writers or talent, some actors have been much more successful than others, and yet it has always found an audience. My favourite era of the show was the mid 2000s with Bill Hader and Andy Samberg, but most people have a a preference for whatever season they had as a teenager. The consistency of structure and crew unites all the different casts, creating a familiar image and sensibility, found in every season.
There will always be a host monologue, musical guest, Weekend Update and most importantly, it will always be LIVE! The production process of a pitch meeting with the host, staying up all night on Tuesdays to write, read-through and dress rehearsal. Whether it's 1975 or 2023, everyone endures the same experience (although whether they have the aid of cocaine is certainly a difference!).
The argument SNL hasnt been funny since the "insert previous ten years" is redundant. Every season of the show has been criticised for not being funny but every season of the show has produced hilarious sketches and shone a light on the new faces of comedy. In the 70s they had Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, the 80s they had Julia Louis Dreyfus and Conan O'Brien, the 90s they had Will Ferrell and Eddy Murphy, the 2000s Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, the 2010s Kate McKinnon and Vanessa Bayer and finally in the 2020s we have Bowen Yang and Marcello Hernandez.
The show continues to inspire and entertain the next generation of aspiring creatives with it's ground approach to sketch comedy. It is an American institution that will always hold a very dear place in my heart.
Episodes
Episode 1
Amy Poehler with Katy Perry
7.7
Sep 25, 201067 min6 votes
America's long-running sketch comedy show returns for Season 36 with "SNL" alum Amy Poehler helming the cast and fielding kisses from Justin Timberlake. Sketches include Bronx Beat, Hair Restoration, Maternity Matters, Wedding Venue, and more.
Episode 2
Bryan Cranston with Kanye West
4.0
Oct 2, 201067 min6 votes
Sketches include Rahm Emanuel Address Cold Open, Bryan Cranston Song Monologue, Pepto Bismol Ice, Miley Cyrus Show, What Up With That?, Shanna: Basketball Game, An SNL Digitial Short: Rescue Dogs 3-D, and Weekend Update.
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Episode 3
Jane Lynch with Bruno Mars
7.2
Oct 9, 201067 min4 votes
Sketches include Ask Gloria Allred Cold Open, Jane Lynch Monologue, Facebook, New Boyfriend Talk Show, Christine O'Donnell Ad, Secret Word, An SNL Digital Short: Relaxation Therapy, Returns & Exchanges and more.
Episode 4
Emma Stone with Kings of Leon
5.5
Oct 23, 201067 min6 votes
Sketches include Obama & Reid Cold Open, Emma Stone Monologue, Baby Spanx, Makeover Show, Headline News Show, An SNL Digital Short: I Broke My Arm, The View, Wrangler Jeans Commercial, Weekend Update and more.
Episode 5
Jon Hamm with Rihanna
6.4
Oct 30, 201067 min5 votes
Rihanna performs "What's My Name" and "“Only Girl (In The World)"
Sketches include Biden Cold Open, Jon Hamm Monologue, An SNL Digital Short: Ronnie And Clyde, Vincent Price Halloween, Back To The Future Screen Tests, I Didn't Ask For This, Highway Cops, Darlique & Barney, Dog in Purse
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Episode 6
Scarlett Johansson with Arcade Fire
6.5
Nov 13, 201067 min4 votes
Sketches include G-20 Cold Open, 16 and Pregnant Spinoffs, Millionaire Matchmaker, Manuel Ortiz Show, Unstoppable Trailer, Hollywood Dish, Weekend Update including Jay & Jason as George W. Bush & Kanye West; Vanessa & Fredas, and more.
Episode 7
Anne Hathaway with Florence and the Machine
6.6
Nov 20, 201067 min4 votes
Sketches include Rachel Maddow Cold Open, Anne Hathaway Monologue, Message from the TSA, Miley Cyrus Show, Penelope Thanksgiving, Visiting the Queen, Weekend Update, Herb Welch, Black Friday, and Camel Tame.
Episode 8
Robert De Niro with Diddy-Dirty Money
5.8
Dec 4, 201067 min4 votes
Sketches include WikiLeaks Cold Open, New York Monologue, Book Ad, What Up With That, Mr. Produce, An SNL Digital Short: Party at Mr. Bernard's, Weekend Update, Movie Fan, Blizzard Man, Vinny Talks to De Niro, Hair Restoration, and more.
Episode 9
Paul Rudd with Paul McCartney
7.5
Dec 11, 201067 min4 votes
Sketches include Obama Address Cold Open, Paul Monologue, Cat Cuisine, Kissing Family, What's That Name, Message From MasterCard, Sexually Speaking, Weekend Update, Field Day, and Ice Show at the Garden (Meryl Streep on Ice).
Episode 10
Jeff Bridges with Eminem & Lil Wayne
6.3
Dec 18, 201067 min3 votes
Sketches include White House Christmas Party Cold Open, Christmas Song Monologue (Silver Bells with Cookie Monster), A Message From Mark Zuckerberg, Miley Cyrus Show, An SNL Digital Short: I Just Had Sex, Larry King Live and more.
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Episode 11
Jim Carrey with The Black Keys
7.4
Jan 8, 201167 min5 votes
Sketches include Bloomberg Cold Open, Jim Carrey Monologue, Hair Restoration, Black Swan, Finding Your Power (Healing Conversations), Grady Wilson's Tantric N' Tasty, Worst of Soul Train, Weekend Update, Amusement Park Ride and more.
Episode 12
Gwyneth Paltrow with Cee Lo Green
7.8
Jan 15, 201167 min4 votes
Sketches include Fox News Cold Open, Country Monologue, The Cape Promo, Secret Word, An SNL Digital Short: Andy & Pee Wee's Night Out, Bar Mitzvah Songs, Record Meeting, Weekend Update, Fresh Prince Lost Episodes, ESPN Deportes, and more.
Episode 13
Jesse Eisenberg with Nicki Minaj
8.2
Jan 29, 201167 min4 votes
Sketches include Bachmann Address Cold Open, Eisenberg Monologue featuring Mark Zuckerberg, Estromaxx, Mister Wizard, Herb Welch, An SNL Digital Short: The Creep featuring Nicki Minaj, Weekend Update, Bride of Blackenstein, MTV Skins, and more.
Episode 14
Dana Carvey with Linkin Park
8.0
Feb 5, 201167 min3 votes
Sketches include Wayne's World Cold Open featuring Mike Myers, Dana Carvey Monologue, Sleepmate Pro, Church Chat featuring Justin Bieber, Teen Crisis Hotline, The Roommate featuring Justin Bieber, Weekend Update, Pageant Preview, and more.
Episode 15
Russell Brand with Chris Brown
7.8
Feb 12, 201167 min4 votes
Sketches include O'Reilly/Obama Cold Open, Russell Monologue, Spider-Man Lawsuit, Vacation Giveaway, British Movie Trailer, Royal Taster, Chris Brown "Yeah 3X", Weekend Update, and more.
Episode 16
Miley Cyrus with The Strokes
6.3
Mar 5, 201167 min3 votes
Sketches include Winning It Cold Open, Miley Perfect Monologue, Baby Spanx, Our Time with Taboo & Apl De App, Disney Channel Acting School, Miley Cyrus Show, The Strokes "Under Cover of Darkness," Weekend Update, and more.
Episode 17
Zach Galifianakis with Jessie J.
8.0
Mar 12, 201167 min4 votes
Sketches include March Madness Cold Open, partial Zach Monologue, The Talk, Comedy Tour, Scared Straight, Digital Short: Zach Looks for a New Assistant, Weekend Update, Canadian Entertainment Show, Corn Syrup Commercial, and Titanic.
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Episode 18
Elton John with Leon Russell
4.2
Apr 2, 201167 min5 votes
Sketches include Lawrence Welk Cold Open, Elton John Monologue, ESPN Classic: Ladies Shot Put, Knights of the Realm, An SNL Digital Short: Laser Cats #6, Elton John & Leon Russell: "Hey Ahab", Weekend Update, Elton Visits the Queen, and more.
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Episode 19
Helen Mirren with Foo Fighters
5.7
Apr 9, 201167 min3 votes
Sketches include Presidential Address Cold Open, Celebrity Taxes, An SNL Digital Short: Helen Mirren's Magic Bosom, Fox and Friends, Mary Shelley, Foo Fighters "Rope," Weekend Update, Underground Festival - Easter, The Roosevelts, and more.
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Episode 20
Tina Fey with Ellie Goulding
7.7
May 7, 201167 min3 votes
Sketches include Osama Cold Open, Mother's Message Monologue, GOP Debate, Mermaid, An SNL Digital Short: Jack Sparrow, Weekend Update, Birthing Class, Bedelia - Sleepover, Pregnant in Heels, Discount Prom Wear, and Hallmark Mother's Day.
Episode 21
Ed Helms with Paul Simon
6.0
May 14, 201167 min2 votes
Sketches include The Situation Room, Corn Syrup Producers of America, What up with that?, The Ambiguously Gay Duo: The Dark, Clenched Hole of Evil, Wild World, One-Take Tony, Ann-Margret Tries To Throw A Wad Of Paper Into A Trashcan, and A Republican Candidate.
Episode 22
Justin Timberlake with Lady Gaga
8.0
May 21, 201167 min3 votes
Sketches include Rikers Island, Liquorville, WXPD News, Three-Way (Digital Short), What's That Name?, Merry-Go-Love Tunnel, Secret Word and The Barry Gibbs Talk Show. Lady Gaga performs "The Edge of Glory", "Judas" and "Born This Way".