That question actually got answered way back in 1981, when Dick Ebersol
ordered that the only musical guests to be booked would be "arena rock
acts" (in response to Jean Doumanian's predeliction for trendy New Wave
bands that played at CBGB both in her disastrous year as showrunner and her
stint booking bands for the last few years of the Not Ready for Prime Time
Players era, knowing that Lorne wouldn't complain as long as she booked
James Taylor once a year--Paul Simon was already booked by Lorne once a
year as guest host). Michael O'Donaghue was able to slip Fear ("John
Belushi's Favorite Band") by Ebersol, but when the audience started pogoing
during their number and Davey Wilson nervously switched to a film piece,
that was the first strike for O'Donaghue (the "Fred Silverman in the
Bunker" sketch that never got aired was the last strike).
On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 9:59 AM, Dave Feldman <[email protected]>wrote:
>
> Kevin M. asks a bunch of good questions:
>
>
> I say this as someone who frequently comments on the sharp, continuing
>> decline in SNL quality: Is Seth Meyers a "get"? I mean, is he likely
>> to draw in viewers or keep the Regis fans? All I know of him is his
>> snarky Update persona -- is there more to the guy than that?
>>
>
> I don't think the new host, whoever he is, is expected to draw in new
> viewers by dint of his name, just as Kelly wasn't
> when she came on the show. I had the same initial reaction to hearing
> Seth was a serious contender (Did he have the right personality
> for morning TV? Would he really want to do this?).
>
> There is definitely more to Seth than his Update persona. He is charming
> on "Live" and I think the secret may be his improv background. I've
> noticed that on SNL, he is weakest when delivering the "news" alone, but
> lights up when he works with others. Meyers is a counter-puncher, not a
> bundle of personality like Michael Strahan -- I think that will play better
> in the long term.
>
>
>
>>
>> Bear in mind as I ask all of these questions that I have no vested
>> interest in any morning show, but if you ask anybody working in talk
>> shows, the host (or co-host) is what attracts or repels viewers. Few
>> individual guests generate actual ratings bumps. In the end, the hosts
>> carry the shows. Can Seth Meyers carry a daytime talk show?
>>
>
> And of course, in this case, chemistry with Kelly is all-important.
> I don't think there's any doubt that if Anderson Cooper or NPH would have
> been available, either would have won the seat. But Kelly seems very
> comfortable with Strahan and Meyers, in particular, and clearly likes
> Groban, too. I was talking about the Regis succession issue with a friend,
> and she pointed out that another element of carrying a show is the ability
> to host alone or with a substitute co-anchor. It's hard to imagine Groban
> doing this, for example. Seth's [live] broadcasting experience is a big
> plus.
>
>>
>> Last question/point is that SNL first rose to fame as a
>> counter-culture show, not exactly cutting edge, but not milquetoast
>> either. Doesn't it speak volumes about the state of SNL that one of
>> its signature players is seen as a logical choice for a bland morning
>> show?
>>
>> I think that river has been crossed a long time ago. Think Adam
> Sandler or Will Ferrell's movie career.
>
> DF
>
>
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