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Shakeup at "SNL"

Posted Aug 23rd 2006 1:20PM by TMZ Staff

Rumors have been swirling about the impending shakedown at "Saturday Night Live."

TMZ has learned that due to low ratings, NBC execs wanted to cut the show's episode order to 19 - as opposed to the usual 20.

Lorne Michaels, the show's executive producer, stepped in and promised to bring the show in on budget. Network brass reconsidered and gave the go ahead for the 20 episodes for "SNL's" 32nd season.

Unfortunately, in order to stay on budget there need to be cutbacks. Translation: many cast and crew won't be getting raises and others will be let go. Somebody cue Debbie Downer.



As has been reported, Tiny Fey and Rachel Dratch are leaving the seminal late-night sketch show to work on Fey's new NBC sitcom based on "SNL" called "30 Rock."

And a source tells TMZ that it also looks like Horatio Sanz and Will Forte won't be back either. More cast and writing staff changes are said to be looming.

TMZ contacted a rep for "SNL" who said this is "unconfirmed and uncorroborated. We are not commenting. "

NBC is expected to make a formal announcement regarding the new season of "SNL" around Labor Day.

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(Page 4 of 4) Previous 15 Comments

46. Well if it wasn't so crude. Taking for instance Alec Baldwin I mean come on who wants to hear about crapping the bed. That is just so sick. Anyway I am glad its over. It had a good run time to turn out the lights, the party is over. G

Posted at 10:49PM on Aug 23rd 2006 by G. Smith

47. As if! Debbie Downer is hilarious and I love Rachel Dratch! I also love me some Chris Parnell especially in the Appaclachian Emergency Room skits. Horatio is hilarious because he can never keep his composure. When Jimmy Fallon was on the show ANY skit that he and Horatio did together was sure to involve them cracking up. I am sad to see some of the good ones go. I hope SNL doesn't completely go down the tubes, I've grown up with it!

Posted at 11:16PM on Aug 23rd 2006 by Dana

48. To all you nerds who say MadTv is awesome...

You are all retards. SNL may suck right now, but that doesn't mean the absolute stupidest show on tv is any better. Try watching some Mister Show or Ali G you idiots.

Posted at 12:05AM on Aug 24th 2006 by MadTV Sucks

49. Best SNL times were the Eddie Murphy years... nuf said

Posted at 1:05AM on Aug 24th 2006 by Mark

50. mya rudolf, chris parnell, rachel drach are great. horatio sans sucks. they need better guests for sure.

Posted at 2:20AM on Aug 24th 2006 by aneurysm

51. SNL is horrible now & has been for the past few years due to the writters. Before they cut back the episodes they shoudl cut back the writtters.

Posted at 8:11AM on Aug 24th 2006 by Steph

52. I mean they some funny people on there but its just not like it was in the Ferral, Carvey, and Farley days....they just need to get some better writers and funnier people.

Posted at 9:58AM on Aug 24th 2006 by dustin

53. NBC makes a big mistake by not allowing internet viewing of programs like SNL or listings on YouTube... I regularly watch Comedy Central's Daily Show and MADTV on these sites... SNL misses all of this momentum for buzz when they do offer something funny... their political comedy is still the best. They'll rise again if they can just shake some of the corporate influence holding them down.

Posted at 10:58AM on Aug 24th 2006 by stephen s

54. Lorne, if you're reading this, please rethink the possible firing of Will Forte. He was one of the strongest players you had. The "Falconer" sketchs were terrible, but his impressions -- such as Bush -- were the best. I really hope this is just a rumor.

Posted at 1:02PM on Aug 24th 2006 by JMLR

55. i think horatio santz is one of the best comics around although they have not utilized him that much this season. he is a blend of jim belushi and chris farley and dont forget darrell hammond he is also one of the reasons to watch snl
the women on the show dont do much

Posted at 4:29PM on Aug 24th 2006 by smogysky

56. I have watched SNL forever and it has had good and bad years as we all know. You people need to quit whining about who has left or who has been fired. It requires change to remain fresh. Even in the "bad years" the show had Billy Crystal!
I think a good change would to give it more improv-type comedy. And maybe more standup type stuff.
I think what has really hurt SNL is how nasty it has become! It relying on obsecene and not comedy. It gets old. Also, I hate seeing the guest host staring at cue cards during sketches! Most do it.

Posted at 4:40PM on Aug 24th 2006 by Dottie

57. Low ratings? I thought people loved hearing spoiled celebrities bitching and moaning about Republican for 90 minutes before they drive home to their Connecticuit mansions in their absurdly overpriced luxury German cars.

I call BS.

Posted at 12:20PM on Aug 26th 2006 by Mike

58. What has happened to SNL? Ive watched it since the 70s and its never been this bad. Somebody send some funny people to SNL! Thank goodness Tina Fey is leaving! No offense Tina but youre just so not funny

Posted at 10:39PM on Sep 18th 2006 by Laurie

59. here in Australia SNL is only shown on pay t.v and at 6:30pm.We love it here god,Carol is funny as!I'm really disapointed to hear of these sackings,all for the sake of 1 episode a season?That sucks.If all the people they have said are going go then it really wont be worth watching,very sad and the end of an ear.

Posted at 7:03PM on Oct 10th 2006 by peta

60. I agree that the show is not funny and not nearly as original and entertaining as MAD TV. I think the only reason SNL has stayed on the air so many years is because it is aired on dead-time. Other stations run info-mmercials during dead-time. Since dead-time is not valuable or important the way prime-time is, Lorne Michaels must have made a special arrangement with NBC to allow him to sell spots to beer companies etc. to allow his bad time-killer show to stay on every Saturday night. By the way, did anybody see the TV Funhouse segment they aired last night (Oct. 28. 2006) where they rip off the Campbell Bros style of animation?

Posted at 11:47AM on Oct 31st 2006 by vicky

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