Comedy legends Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, and Siobhan Fallon Hogan, all "Saturday Night Live" alumni, recently shared their perspectives on the changing world of humor. They agree that comedy's popularity has surged, but its tone has sharpened since their early days.
In an interview with Fox News Digital leading up to SNL's 50th anniversary, the trio discussed how social media and today's political climate have influenced comedy, particularly stand-up. They highlighted the explosion in comedians' popularity and the development of a more unrestrained and pointed comedic style.
Nealon, a long-time SNL cast member (1986-1995), noted how comedy has adapted to shorter attention spans, likely due to social media's influence. He observed a trend toward "snarkier" humor and the demand for quick, easily digestible content.
He credits social media with making comedy more accessible, fueling the rise of comedians who might not have achieved widespread recognition otherwise. Nealon cited the success of comics like Shane Gillis and Nate Bargatze, who have shattered attendance records on recent tours, as evidence of this phenomenon.
Lovitz agreed with Nealon, emphasizing the unprecedented scale of stand-up comedy today. He pointed out how multiple comedians are now filling arenas, a feat previously accomplished by only a select few, like Steve Martin, Andrew Dice Clay, and Dane Cook. He mentioned Jo Koy, who used to open for him, as an example of a comedian who has leveraged social media to achieve global arena-filling success.
Lovitz also observed the increased politicization of late-night comedy, contrasting current hosts like Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and Stephen Colbert with less politically focused predecessors like David Letterman and Johnny Carson. He acknowledged their talent but expressed a preference for the less politically charged comedy of the past.
Fallon Hogan, known for roles in films like "Forrest Gump" and "Men in Black," commented on the abundance of comedic content available online, suggesting that this might have contributed to a decline in SNL's cultural relevance. She praised the show's remarkable 50-year run under Lorne Michaels, acknowledging his genius and the show's unprecedented longevity.
