SNL Faces Backlash as Pressure Mounts on ‘Insufferable’ Duo After Fan Criticism

Saturday Night Live went to extraordinary lengths to conceal Taylor Swift’s surprise appearance during Dakota Johnson’s monologue over the weekend. Even the pop superstar’s star power, however, could not shield the episode from another round of criticism.

Swift arrived at Studio 8H to tease Johnson about her romantic history, but the cameo did little to impress viewers, with some describing the episode as “tired,” “toothless” and proof that the long-running comedy show is “not exciting anymore.”

The complaints follow a similarly lukewarm response to NBA and New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson’s season-opening hosting debut one week earlier. With Katseye serving as musical guest, the episode was criticized for “dragging” and saddled with accusations of weak writing.

As SNL moves through its 51st season, fans are once again demanding major changes following last year’s cast departures. Among those facing renewed backlash are Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che, whom some viewers have branded “insufferable.”

Yet behind the calls for new performers, the biggest question may involve creator Lorne Michaels: Is he preparing to step aside, who could succeed him, and could one unexpected contender eventually take over? Donald Trump’s continued presence in the political spotlight may also be a factor in whether Michaels remains in charge.

Michaels, 81, reportedly considered retiring before the show’s landmark anniversary. However, a source told The Daily Mail that the success of the celebrations ultimately persuaded him to postpone any plans to leave.

“Before the 50th Anniversary, Lorne felt it might be the right moment to step away and hand the show to someone else,” the insider said. “But then the season unfolded, the tribute specials took place, and he continued to enjoy himself. Any thoughts of retirement gradually faded.”

The prime-time special SNL 50: The Anniversary Special attracted 14.8 million viewers, with Kim Kardashian, Eddie Murphy and Sir Paul McCartney among the high-profile guests. The figure made it one of NBC’s strongest entertainment broadcasts in years.

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

The anniversary event is only part of the show’s wider ratings picture. Although traditional television audiences have declined across the industry, delayed viewing and Peacock streaming numbers continue to give SNL a much stronger overall reach.

SNL averaged 8.2 million viewers during the 2015-2016 season. Its reported average last season was 8.1 million when delayed viewing and streaming were included, though the differing measurement methods make a direct comparison difficult.

The show also continues to draw millions of views for individual sketches across YouTube and social media, demonstrating that the decades-old institution still commands attention. Whether that attention translates into genuine enthusiasm from viewers is another question.

“People still want to be part of the show, and that means Lorne isn’t particularly worried,” the insider said. “He doesn’t feel the wheels are about to come off.”

“If the show has made it this far without consistently being funny, what happens when it gets a few shows or cast members that really are funny? The ratings will remain strong and the show will continue.”

Michaels has survived plenty of harsh reviews since creating Saturday Night Live in 1975, a show that helped propel Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner and Dan Aykroyd to fame.

After leaving in 1980, he returned five years later and has remained a central figure through 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.’ 

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Michaels, Jost and Che for comment.