SNL Review: The Gary Weis Special

Filmmaker Gary Weis was a staple of the first three seasons of SNL. His highlighted works ranged from artistic experimental films to filmed sketches to slice of life profiles. Weis' works have been polarizing segments amongst our panel. In this special episode of SN Hell we are reviewing all (except one... oops) of Weis' SNL offerings. Join Keith, Matt and guest third chairs, Chilly, Mark, Rebecca and Ron as we pick our favorites here.... in SN Hell.
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[@jeffstabley]

Respect, but y'all wrong about how great Play Misty For Me is.

[@LionsDenAudioTheatre]

It's definitely one of Matt's favorites. I was back and forth on it, but I've become a fan.

[@kenjohnston1257]

I think you guys are judging the Homeward Bound film through the lens of SNL today and not 50 years ago when this video aired. The humor back then was darker (a lot more sex and drug references) but it was somewhat balanced by the low budget nature of the show which left room for innocence and sentimentality, like the early Andy Kaufman appearances and musical guests like Janis Ian. Homeward Bound would seem like saccharine on the more cynical SNL of today (cynical because of the obvious movement from satire to parody) but in 1975 I think audiences were moved by it's universal joy and the innocence one would not expect in wicked greasy New York City (realize that the image of Times Square loomed very large back then). As a footnote I watched SNL as a kid in Idaho and I thought Gary's films made NYC seem oddly fascinating...

[@LionsDenAudioTheatre]

Thanks a million for sharing your thoughts. I've seen a few people mention how much they enjoyed the Homeward Bound video. You make a good point concerning some of the more serious/sweet sketches that did lean into the sentimental, many of which I enjoyed immensely. Matt, not so much. I'm not sure if I'd agree that we are seeing from the lens of current SNL as much as its a more rejection of sentiment in certaij media in general.. While we certainly didn't think Weis was guilty of this, the profiteering off sentiment during the 80s and 90s has resulted in a lot of cynics as it pertains to certain types of emotion in film and TV. As we've progressed in the show's timeline, there are definitely points where I've missed the less structured and low budget nature of the show.
One thing that wasn't communicated too much in this video, but is in a lot of the episodes we've recorded is Matt's absolute fascination with the aesthetics of 1970s NYC. This was most often best demonstrated in the Weis films. You're absolutely right that Weis' films present New York as a really fascinating place. Thanks again for your thoughts.