'SNL': 10 Ways to Fix It

Buzzed-about twentysomethings with current projects to promote don’t always make the best SNL hosts. Instead of a tepid Megan Fox or an abysmal January Jones, why not try Jane Lynch, who’s massively popular on Glee, or Mo’Nique, star of sleeper hit Precious? Throw Nathan Fillion in there for some geek cred. It’d be less work for the writing staff, too, because these people are…(gasp) actually funny!

The great political sketches in SNL‘s history have rarely been biting commentary; instead, they’ve been goofy send-ups (Clinton, anyone?), silly prat-falls (Ford, duh), and over-the-top parodies (Bush, Bush, Gore, and — flashback time! — Ross Perot). Let The Daily Show take jabs at Fox News and CNN and bring SNL‘s political focus back toward energetic absurdity.

We’ve enjoyed Gilly, Penelope, Suze Orman, Target lady, closeted field reporter, and many of Wiig’s other characters over the years, but even her biggest fans must be hitting a wall of fatigue. How can we appreciate the woman if she never leaves the screen? Not every sketch needs to center around a neurotic character with a verbal or facial tic. ”Sorry.”

Spoofs of popular shows and movies — those are the things that ought to be SNL‘s bread and butter. It a way to tease and be part of the specific cultural moment, plus it’s funnier than yet another Target Lady trainwreck. Exhibit A: That wicked Twilight spoof starring Taylor Swift!

We miss the days of having to Google the artists we’d never heard of until just before they started rocking the SNL stage. Be a tastemaker, not a follower! The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Regina Spektor: Yeah. U2: Nah. Consider up-and-coming indie acts like Florence and the Machine instead of having the Black Eyed Peas perform three songs. Bonus: You won’t have to fight with Live With Regis & Kelly to book the bulk of your bands.

The ”Weekend Update” anchor and head writer has, in recent stand-up acts and late-night appearances, offered up would-be SNL lines that were too racy or strange to air. Guess what? They’re hilarious. (”According to a new study, college students put on six to nine pounds during their freshman year because of dramatic increases in beer-drinking and decreases in physical activity … which means the rest of your ‘freshman 15’ is probably a baby.”) When ”Update” gets aggressive, it’s Meyers at his best. Unleash it! Let that jerk flag fly!

Ugh, do we even have to explain this one? We’d say the show’s writers could have the guest host play, oh, Beyoncé or Michelle Obama, but only three black women have hosted the show in the last 10 years. Anyone spotting a ridiculous problem here?

Any time Amy Poehler can find time to leave her important post at the Parks and Recreation Dept. to drop in on her old co-host Seth Meyers, it’s a hit — and SNL should pencil in honorary cast member Justin Timberlake whenever possible, too. We loved when Star Trek stars Leonard Nimoy, Chris Pine, and Zachary Quinto popped by to convince longtime hardcore fans that it was okay to go and see the reboot. More surprise guests = a livelier show.

It’s sort of funny sometimes, but surely there’s a funnier bit than a Natalie Merchant impression, or a riff on Beauty and the Beast. Topical humor is SNL‘s trademark; leave the ”hey, do you guys remember this?” jokes to Family Guy.

The days of Schmitts Gay, Woomba, and Bad Idea/Mom Jeans seem long gone. We would argue for one new commercial per episode, but the ones this season (Bunny Business?!) have been so not funny, we confused them with real commercials. Make some more. And make them good.