I am STILL years later sad they fired Finesse Mitchell.

The problem with Casey Wilson was that she didn't really live up to her potential. In one of her first shows, she did a sketch as a quadriplegic stripper that was hilarious. And unfortunately, she wasn't in another sketch that was even nearly as funny. That Katy Perry bit was as close as she ever came. Frankly, I'm not surprised that she got the pink slip.

Now, Michaela Watkins, on the other hand, was a solid entertainer, and just flat-out funny. She even had a great recurring bit as Hoda Kotyb, playing the straight man to Kristin Wiig's whacked-out Kathy Lee Gifford. And this was just her first year! Frankly, I'm surprised she wasn't pushed to the main cast this year. How they could ditch her and keep Bobby Monighan is beyond me.

And I agree, Heather, Their cutting Finesse was a crying shame, too.

Unfortunity it seems to me they got canned for two younger hotter girls. Casey got too fat, and Michaela too homely. They never really got enough air time to shine.

I agree with most of what is said except that I think Michaela is very attractive. Bobby whatever his name is rides. Bitch, please.

I agree with Sulya and run the Bobby Moynihan blog (bobbymoynihan.blogspot.com). Bobby has Andy Samberg's humor (demonstrated by the Optimus Prime bit last week), he's the best audience member for the monologues, and he nailed some funny bits (Snagglepuss, his Mark Payne character, Single Ladies). Plus as Sulya said, he's a key writer and has been writing for SNL before he came on the show. That said, they promoted Abby to a regular cast member and not Bobby. Abby has actually been successful with her impressions, and her Angelina Jolie impression got a lot of buzz.

I think they let Michaela go because she really couldn't do anything that Kristen couldn't do better. So she was mostly just useful when Kristen was already in a skit. It's not against her talents. As Lorne said, it's more about cast dynamics and filling the empty holes.

Marion, Darrell Hammond has left SNL, so you were right about that one.

Mike, it isn't about weight or beauty. That would be a double-standard, cuz it's not about looks or weight with the dudes. So it's just a coincidence that your opinions meshed with the firings.

I'm glad they cut Finesse. He's the world's best comedian, but he didn't have the characters to pull through on SNL (or the will to fight for his ideas).

I despised Cougars. Totally for chicks.

And I agree that Kenan "the face" Thompson should go. I think he's just around for his faces, his black-man impressions, and his cult following. This week's promo with Ryan Reynolds is proof that Kenan isn't funny.

- TAE

I always had a crush on Casey Wilson. She did a lot of great supporting work, but she rarely got the chance to carry anything herself. But she was always likeable and relatable and cute as hell. I always loved seeing her, and I miss her bitterly

Michaela Watkins was great in every sketch. Never dropped the ball. Abby Elliot has yet to make me laugh. Worse, she does tired one-note celebrity impressions and adds nothing new - given her one facial expression.
Jenny Slate's Jersey sketch was embarrassingly bad. I guess they're going for pretty over funny, and that's a huge disservice to all the funny women out there.