
Lorne Michaels is faced with a daunting task...
How do you top the first part of this season's Saturday Night Live?
Between the flawless personification of Sarah Palin by Tina Fey and the A-list "gets" for hosts and --of course-- the election... well, what once was a forgotten late-night show has become relevant again.
But, Michaels and crew are suffering. Not only did the election finally happen... they've also lost lynch-pin cast member Amy Poehler (who else can laugh like Hillary?) to prime-time stardom. (Poehler is slated to be in a new sitcom by the writers and producers of "The Office" early next year.)
So, to compensate, we'll get to meet two new cast members on this evening's episode.
The women, though no Poehler or Fey, are promising.
Michaela Watkins trained with the famed comedy troupe the Groundlings and spent time on CBS sitcom "The New Adventures of Old Christine". Abby Elliott is a former costar of Amy Poehler's at Comedy Central's "Upright Citizen's Brigade" and a fellow Groundling. Even more fascinating, Abby is the daughter of Chris Elliott -- former SNL cast member, star of "There's Something About Mary" and "Cabin Boy" and one of David Letterman's favorite people.
Elliott is SNL's first familial legacy hire. She'll have major expectations and big shoes to fill. Abby's got a rep for impersonations. Until late this week she had her own YouTube channel where she mocked film stars like Kirsten Dunst. But, when her site was mentioned on a few prominent blogs, it was shut down.
Nothing beats Amy and Tina though... Enjoy a little old school SNL here -- circa September.