SNL Statistics - 1/17/09 (How Andy Samberg did)

Andy Samberg got only 4 this week. I think they try to keep Andy in the middle most ofthe time. he's a breakout star, rather than a solid team player.

Rosario Dawson 8
Fred Armisen 7
Abby Elliott 2
Will Forte 5
Bill Hader 4
Darrell Hammond 2
Seth Meyers 1
Bobby Moynihan 4
Paula Pell 1
Andy Samberg 4
Jason Sudeikis 6
Kenan Thompson 5
Michaela Watkins 2
Kristen Wiig 6
Casey Wilson 2



1st Place with 7 skits (MVP Award): Fred Armisen

2nd Place with 6 skits (Job Security Award): Jason Sudeikis and Kristen Wiig

3rd Place with 5 skits (Team Player Award): Will Forte and Kenan Thompson

4th Place with 4 skits (Well Rounded Award): Bill Hader, Bobby Moynihan, & Andy Samberg

5th Place with 2 Skits (Time to Worry Award): Abby Elliott, Darrell Hammond, Michaela Watkins, and Casey Wilson

Also: Seth Meyers has 1 because he's resigned to Head Writer and Weekend Update Anchor. Paula Pell is a writer (I think). I wonder if they're bringing her on as a player?


Overall: Bobby Moynihan and Andy Samberg gave a strong showing. Andy's Larry the Goose character got awfully close to Adam Sandler genius territory. =^)
Michaela slipped a little, but I wouldn't worry yet unless it happens every week. Casey needs to pull out something funny soon, or she should start worrying, especially if SNL continues to line up more women. Abby also hasn't broken out yet, so she better think about doing that soon. Michaela and Bobby already have broken out, so she and Casey are behind the curve if they want to stay active.
Darrell has been placed as a hired gun, where they only bust him out when the situation calls for it (thus only 2). That said, his value isn't as prevelant as it was in the past. Hilary is still around in the political scene, but that's not enough of a reason to keep Darrell (and his Bill Clinton) around forever.

I still think Will Forte and Kenan Thompson are at a higher risk (as are Casey and Abby because they haven't broken out, and Darrell because he can't stay forever). Will and Kenan are best served as the "straight guy," which is why they get used a lot. Will still has his hilarious songs and dances, and Kenan can get a few laughs with his smile. But they just aren't as funny as the rest. As Finnesse Mitchell implied in an interview, there's a lot of collaboration, but there's also a lot of competition to reinvent yourself constantly. Will, Kenan, and Darrell aren't reinventing themselves (although Will is getting close with his silly songs). Also, Casey and Abby haven't started inventing themselves yet. Their job security is the fact that they are women right now.

That puts Fred, Jason, and Kristen at the top as the team players and most valuable, with Bill, Andy, Bobby (and I believe Michaela, Seth, and Darrell) as the secret weapons that really do the biggest laughs when they're set up correctly.

Thoughts? Enjoy!

- TAE