Last night marked the end of an era when Kristen Wiig said her final goodbyes to the Saturday Night Live stage. But Kristen’s departure should be reflected upon as a celebration of comedy, women and the excitement about what she will do next.
This is a column written by Hypable.com’s Senior Editor and writer John Thrasher. You can follow John on Twitter @jthrasher.
If you know me at all, you probably know that Saturday Night Live has been a staple of my personality since I was a child. I remember staying up late and watching shows with my Mom as far back as 1995. Through middle school and high school it became the center of my social plans and upbringing: hometown pizza, wings and Saturday Night Live in my friend’s basement every Saturday was almost as ritualistic as going to school itself.
My rich obsession with the show really began in the early 2000s when Cheri O’Teri, Molly Shannon, Ana Gasteyer and Maya Rudolph left me in physical pain from laughing so hard. I don’t care what anyone says, “Morning Latte” with Cheri O’Teri and Will Ferrell will always be comedy gold to me. A couple of friends and I can rehearse some “Gemini’s Twin” sketches for you by heart too, if you’d like. But just as you settle in and get comfortable (or if you’re me: dependent) with knowing that every Saturday night you’ll be weeping in laughter, the buzzer goes off and it’s time to say goodbye to your favorite cast member. Last night, the clock ended with a slam dunk.
Kristen Wiig, who first appeared on Saturday Night Live in 2005, had her last dance on the season finale episode hosted by Mick Jagger last night. It was somewhat unexpected, seeing as Kristen has publicly stated she wasn’t sure what her plans were as recently as a few weeks ago. As the last sketch of season 37 transitioned from a graduation theme to a very clear send-off to the Oscar nominee, I was hit with a ton of bricks. “This is my nightmare,” I tweeted.
For me, Kristen Wiig is the epitome of comedy at its best. She’s that little dose of happiness that I keep in my back pocket for days when laughing seems unrealistic. Having a bad day at work? Check out any of the “Secret Word” sketches and be prepared to cry tears of laughter. Some people turn to drugs to make them feel better: I turn to Kristen Wiig.
But Kristen did more than just make us feel great. She joins the long parade of SNL women who have opened doors for women in comedy. Cheri O’Teri, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and now Kristen Wiig have proven that in a once notoriously male-dominated comedy/cinema industry, the women are taking center stage, breaking the rules and making names for themselves. Kristen, arguably more than the others, really drove this message home when she wrote and starred in Bridesmaids. Not only was it, in my opinion, one of the best comedies of the last 10 years, it proved to Hollywood that an all-woman ensemble cast, despite expectations or what track-records have shown, can stand on its own and drive an audience to the theaters in record numbers.
As it turns out, Hollywood agreed with me (twice) when the Academy nominated Kristen Wiig and her writing partner Annie Mumolo for the Best Original Screenplay Oscar as well as Melissa McCarthy for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. But it wasn’t just Hollywood. Almost every respected major award organization celebrating film and television across the globe nominated Bridesmaids, Kristen Wiig’s creation, as well (Golden Globe Kristen was nominated for Best Actress, BAFTA, Critics Choice, Screen Actors Guild, People’s Choice, Art Directors Guild, Producers Guild, Writers Guild, American Film Institute, Comedy Awards).
By the time Bridesmaids had exited theaters, it was the highest-grossing R-rated female comedy of all time, and producer Judd Apatow’s most successful movie! Alison Bechdel would be proud.
By now, you get it, right? Kristen Wiig’s legacy on Saturday Night Live transcends comedy. She has sent a clear signal to showbusiness that despite assumptions, women are a commanding presence within the industry. There’s a reason Kristen was named as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People this year. And though everyone will be waiting with bated breath regarding what she will do next, we should step back and celebrate the seven hilarious years this comedic genius spent opening doors for women and making everyone laugh every Saturday night in the process.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite sketches from Kristen Wiig, which just aired this season. I think this captures her talents in so many ways. Comedic timing, writing, acting and her irony coupled with her physical comedy showcasing the true performer she really is!
Will you miss Kristen on Saturday Night Live? Let me know what your favorite Kristen Wiig sketch from her seven seasons is!