The Impact of Kate McKinnon’s Post-Election Performance
Rob Schneider, a veteran cast member of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), recently shared his thoughts on the show’s decline, attributing it to a particular moment involving Kate McKinnon. In a podcast interview with controversial conservative political commentator Glenn Beck, Schneider expressed his belief that SNL never recovered after McKinnon’s somber rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” as Hillary Clinton in the first episode following Donald Trump’s election win in 2016.
Schneider candidly stated, “When Hillary Clinton lost… and then when Kate McKinnon went out there on ‘Saturday Night Live’ in the cold opening and all that, and she started dressed as Hillary Clinton, and she starts playing ‘Hallelujah,’ I literally prayed. ‘Please have a joke at the end.’ But there was no joke at the end, and I went, ‘It’s over. It’s over. It’s not gonna come back.'”
The Impact of McKinnon’s Performance
The emotional weight of McKinnon’s performance resonated deeply with viewers, as it occurred shortly after Leonard Cohen’s passing. McKinnon reflected on the moment’s significance, describing “Hallelujah” as “the most beautiful song ever written” and expressing how her interpretation of the ballad shifted after Trump’s unexpected victory.
In an interview with Esquire, McKinnon shared her perspective, stating, “I’d always understood ‘Hallelujah’ in the context of a romantic relationship, as had most of us. But then this verse — in this moment when it was so emotional for everyone in the country, when no matter what side you were on, it was a moment of surprise and high-octane emotion – I suddenly understood it in a new light.”
Schneider’s Critique of Late-Night Talk Shows
Schneider’s criticism of SNL goes beyond McKinnon’s performance.
As he has become increasingly conservative in his political beliefs, he has voiced concerns about late-night talk shows like “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” claiming they are “indoctrinating” viewers.
According to Schneider, the comedic indoctrination process with each late-night host has made the shows less interesting. He believes that if you exchange the hosts with each other, the content will remain essentially the same.
A Look at Schneider’s Career and McKinnon’s Departure
Rob Schneider has had a long-standing association with SNL. He began his journey on the show as a writer in 1988 before joining the cast from 1990 to 1994. Meanwhile, Kate McKinnon, who left the show in May, had an impressive 11-season run. Her departure coincided with a significant cast shakeup that also saw the exit of Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant, and Kyle Mooney.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the impact of Kate McKinnon’s performance on “Saturday Night Live”?
Rob Schneider believes SNL could never recover after Kate McKinnon’s rendition of “Hallelujah” dressed as Hillary Clinton in the episode following Donald Trump’s election win in 2016. He felt that the absence of a joke at the end signaled the end of the show.
2. How did Kate McKinnon interpret Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”?
Like most people, Kate McKinnon initially understood “Hallelujah” in the context of a romantic relationship. However, after Trump’s election, she found new meaning in the song, perceiving it as a reflection of her love for the idea of America and the ongoing struggle to live up to the ideal of equality.
3. What are Rob Schneider’s criticisms of late-night talk shows?
Rob Schneider has concerns about late-night talk shows like “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” He believes they are “indoctrinating” viewers and finds the content less interesting, stating that the comedic process can be exchanged between hosts without much variation.
4. What are Rob Schneider and Kate McKinnon’s histories on SNL?
Rob Schneider was associated with SNL as a writer in 1988 and later joined the cast from 1990 to 1994. Kate McKinnon had an impressive 11-season run on the show before departing in May, coinciding with a significant cast shakeup.
Source: HuffPost
