Live from New York...

Considering how bad SNL was for the longest time, I have to imagine that NBC (and probably Lorne Michaels as well) are counting their lucky stars these days to have some of the new writers and talent on their weekly staff. In fact, I'd be curious to see the ratings over the years for the show, just to see how many viewers they lost over the past 5-10 years. There are certainly still some weak links on the cast (I see you Kenan), but with cats like Andy Samberg and those other two dudes, the show is in a much better place. Anyways, it's about time they got their act together.

These digital shorts are as close to must see as it gets:

As I was saying, SNL has only become watchable again in the past few years really. Kanye's post-Katrina appearance in 2005 was dope, and then he killed it again on the 2007 season premiere hosted by Lebron James. If you can find them online, check the videos of Kanye's performances from either 2005 (Gold Digger/Touch the Sky & Heard Em Say) or 2007 (Stronger/Good Life & Champion/Everything I Am)...in all cases, pretty sick, especially with the live string section. But with that said, it must be said that Lebron definitely showed his acting chops as well.

Another name that definitely needs to be mentioned as we talk about the reemergence of SNL is Justin Timberlake. For those of you J. Timberlake haters out there, check your ego at the door because his stints as host on SNL have been quite possibly the most memorable shows in recent years...consistent throughout.

Finally, since I'm on the topic, this is something I got off a mixtape from some friends years ago. From May 7, 1983...

Stevie Wonder - Overjoyed (Live on Saturday Night Live)