Apparently, the worst season of Saturday Night Live was Season 11, according to popular opinion on Ranker. This season aired from November 9, 1985, to May 24, 1986.
We'll take a look back on why it is considered among the very worst, and what contributed to its rating behind the scenes and on-screen.
Let's get started.
Chevy Chase Played A Role In Season 11
Chevy Chase hosted the second episode of the eleventh season of SNL.
Chevy Chase being difficult to work is by his former costars is one reason that is commonly attributed to the season being the worst in the show's long history.
Chevy Chase claims he does not care what his former costars, from his run on SNL or any other show, have to say about him. Chase played a bigot on the popular Dan Harmon show Community in 2012.
Chase reported used foul language while arguing with Harmon. This stunt halted production. Other onset issues precipitated Chevy Chase's departure from Community. Costar Joel McHale stated that Chase even tried to physically fight him despite McHale doing his utmost to keep the actor happy.
It looks like a Community film is in the works. Chase is not invited to reunions or interviews. It is a given that he will not return any future productions.
Donald Glover also reported that Chase would consistently make racially insensitive comments in between takes in an attempt to throw him off.
Season 11 Featured An Entirely Different Cast
Season 11 was apparently the worst season was cast was entirely new. Although the new cast was studded with would be superstars like Jon Lovitz, Robert Downey Jr., and Dennis Miller, the cast could not seem to connect with audiences.
It is more likely that the writing choices damaged the chances of the season hitting the right chord with audiences as in seasons past. For example, the writers decided to shoot for what they considered low-hanging fruit. The writers chose to write Terry Sweeney, the show's first openly gay cast member as person who had to pretend to be heterosexual to get work. Chevy Chase also suggested that Sweeney played an AIDS patient visiting a weight loss doctor. Gross. It's absolutely not surprising, however.
The lone black cast member was written as a stereotype, a 17-year-old unwed method mother by the name of Cabrini Green Harlem Watts Jackson. Yuck. The fact that writers thought this was the height of hilarity sheds more than a little light on why the season failed so spectacularly.
Is Lorne Michaels Responsible For The Badly Rated Season 11?
Lorne Michaels is the show runner of SNL. Lorne Michaels previously left the show for a position at NBC. Things did not work out for Michaels at NBC so, he returned to SNL. He was at the helm of the show during the eleventh season.
Lorne Michaels decided to end the finale with the cast being trapped in a fire. Michaels decides to only save Jon Lovitz. During the credits, the cast members' names were punctuated with questions marks. Audience members were not certain who would return. Naturally, cast members were angry.
Michaels is also known for famously firing Damon Wayans. This move was clearly questionable. Michaels did allow Wayans to return and do stand up later on in the season.
Lorne Michaels continues to introduce the world to new and bright talent. However, there is no secret that the show continues to lose many notable stars. Michaels explains that Saturday Night Live is all about the revolving door. The pandemic fueled a job shortage. With the pandemic on downturn, thankfully, more opportunity exists for actors.
Michaels insists that new people must come. However, repeat mega stars like Jon Hamm and Dwayne Johnson keep coming back for more. Although some criticism for the show is very strong. On Twitter user exclaims that "SNL hasn't been funny in decades!".
Another Twitter user argued that the show was ripping off other comedian's skits. It's only natural that the show would face criticism, but apparently it has not reached the low it did in 1985.
New rising stars are still more than interested in appearing on the show. Even though some fans claim that the show has not been funny in decades, the SNL still has a huge audience. With music guests like Pulitzer-prize winning artists like Kendrick Lamar and guests hosts like Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller joining the show, people will continue to tune in.
Michaels is firm about everyone getting their share of time and that the cast should not be "bloated". It is interesting that Season 11 remains the worst the season. SNL is going into nearly fifty years of being on air. Even with all of its ups and downs, many actors have Lorne Michaels and the show to thank for their turn on the show.
