I don't even know if I chimed in on it, but as of now I say don't hate the player, hate the game. All the stars of the show seem as if they are strongly encouraged to focus on creating characters/sketches that can be repeated and finding ways to repeat characters/sketches that were only meant to be seen once. Kristen Wiig is just the best at doing that, and if her characters weren't virtually guaranteed to be run into the ground, she would be fantastic. I loved Gilly the first time I saw it and was heartbroken to see it pop up again.
The problem with SNL, it must be said, is likely Lorne Michaels. Most notable mistake in my mind was firing Rob Riggle, one of the funniest performers around. But more than that, he seems to be engaged in a constant battle to create sketches with topical characters or catchphrases with a cast that draws so heavily on ephemeral ideas. I just don't think his sensibilities are adapting to handle the new absurdist style of comedy pushed into the public consciousness by an alumnus of his own show. The man needs to try to get Jim Downey, Adam McKay or (doubtful, but it'd be nice) Robert Smigel to take most of his creative duties over while he focuses on the business or just retires altogether. Pull an anti-Studio 60 by bringing someone in to make the show truly pointless again.
As tongue-in-cheek as his part in Laser Cats is, the truth can't be that far off. I think he doesn't know why The Lonely Island stuff works, he just knows that it IS working. How do you trust your editorial judgment once you know you've hit that point?
