Monthly Archives: April 2012

04.19.12
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Name the SNL extras

As part of my research for the SNL Archives, I go through old episodes to see if I can identify writers, crew, and various other production staff, especially if they are used prominently in sketches.  I was wondering if anyone reading can confirm the identities of some of these staffers:


Nerdy writer guy: seen in the cold opening of Howard Hesseman / Men At Work (original air 10/23/1982).  If I had to guess out of anyone on the writing staff it would be Tracy Torme but I can’t say for sure if it is him. [ADDENDUM: Identified!  It's writer Paul Barrosse.]

Grey-haired lady: seen prominently in season 2 (particularly in Hollywood Bingo as “Joanie” who “eats food”).  I’ve spotted her around other sketches; I believe that’s her in the Fred Willard cold opening as the uncomfortable woman sitting next to Bill Murray as Honker, and I’ve even seen her in the Hesseman cold opening that the “nerdy writer” cap comes from. [ADDENDUM: Identified!  It's costume designer Karen Roston]

Ski Lodge extras: there’s a prominent extra playing Vicky Lazlo (top picture, far left with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Eddie Murphy), but she doesn’t have lines. [Addendum: Identified!  It's talent executive Laurie Zaks] There are two that have lines, though: “But, Rick, what about Vail?” (middle picture, standing in background) and “But Rick, what about Sun Valley?” (bottom picture, in purple).

This is not really important by any stretch of the imagination, but I figured I’d throw the questions out there.

04.18.12
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The “Glee” episode I’d like to see

I have to admit I’m not a fan of the show Glee.  I’ve seen a few episodes, and while there is talent in the cast (this is the show that got Jane Lynch much-overdue mainstream recognition) and I admire them for putting certain issues in the forefront, the simple problem I have with the show is that it’s just not very good.  The writing is inconsistent, the characters aren’t particularly likable (which is more a problem if it’s not deliberate), and the whole thing seems like it only exists to move compilations of cover versions of songs.

I was thinking, though, it would be entertaining to see those kids do some music that’s so horrifically inappropriate for a high school environment.   But at the same time, it has to fit the Glee aesthetic.  It wouldn’t work with covers of death metal.  But what band fits the melodic aesthetic the show has while having incredibly dark, inappropriate-for-school lyrics and subject matter?

The answer is clear: Steely Dan.

But they wouldn’t stick to “Do It Again”.  Too easy.  ”Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” is a cop-out.  ”Any World (That I’m Welcome To)” would actually be thematically appropriate for the show, but not any fun.  No.  I want the songs that Sue Sylvester could use as ammo to gave the Glee club shut down once and for all:

The episode ends with all the students expelled and Mr. Shu being led out of the building in handcuffs.