rant · moment 5 of 17
SNL's Talent Problem and Imperialism Jokes
from #245 - It's Saturday Night! | The Tim Dillon Show · #245
2 min
Tim argues SNL isn't attracting real comedic talent anymore, comparing it unfavorably to the Eddie Murphy era, and riffs on how comedians should tackle serious topics like imperialism through actual jokes rather than lecturing.
- Tim wanted to perform a character sketch called "gay passover" but found it too smart for SNL.
- College and high school theater kids entering entertainment are emotionally unprepared for competitive business demands.
- Ambitious young performers lean on identity politics, claiming discrimination when denied opportunities rather than developing genuine talent.
- SNL's diversity hiring looks absurd — they didn't have an Asian cast member before recently, or a Black woman since Ellen Cleghorn.
- The show's supposed mission of showcasing great sketch comics and comedy's next generation isn't actually happening.
Saturday Night LiveEllen Cleghorn