Nov 28, 2008  |  By: SCOTT SODE  | COMMENTS     

It’s a cliché to criticize “SNL” as a shadow of its former self; that column has been written repeatedly in all kinds of media outlets during the last 15 years.

After this election, it’s clear that when it wants to be, “SNL” can not only be as good as its former self — it can be better. But with Sarah Palin back in Alaska and Tina Fey back at her day job, I’ve grown a bit disenchanted. The strange barrage of gay-centric sketches in recent post-election episodes have painstakingly highlighted “SNL’s” tendency toward the sophomoric for the sake of a laugh, a tendency that feels like a step backward and as irrelevant as a guitar-playing Adam Sandler in a Jon Stewart universe.

“Daily Show” writers and Judd Apatow movies have infused comedy with a sense of irreverence, irony and an underlying thoughtfulness and intelligence. Shows like “Arrested Development,” “30 Rock” and “The Office” have, interestingly enough, found humor in the hypocrisy of our prejudices, not in the stereotypes and shortcomings of the marginalized. So when “SNL” ended a sketch with a sight gag involving two male cast members spastically kissing each other open-mouthed, I felt that I deserved better. It just seems too easy and too lazy to use gay behavior and stereotypes for the sake of a quick laugh. The best comedy has evolved beyond the throwaway “Brokeback Mountain” setup. 

Two years ago, a classic episode of “The Office” had a similar male-male smooch gag, but the joke was not simply that the two characters were males and kissing. “Office” boss Michael Scott took his desperate need to appear tolerant and politically correct one step too far by inadvertently sexually harassing his gay co-worker, Oscar. The joke was not on Oscar for being gay. Viewers clearly understood that Michael, who ironically is a man in a position of power, was acting like a stupid, insensitive George Bush-ian buffoon.

A more recent episode of the series found office idiot Dwight befuddled when Michael decisively noted the former could never be attractive to another man. Again, the joke is on Dwight for his hubris, not on the gay community.

That’s not to say I’ve hated every gay-themed sketch. I confess to laughing at Justin Timberlake’s “Single Ladies” sketch. Yeah, there is definitely something homophobic about having three stereotypically lispy guys serve as background dancers for Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” video. Those moments

during the sketch when Timberlake, Andy Samberg and Bobby Moynihan actually talk are, indeed, cringe-worthy and useless filler.

But you’d have to be the most boring person on the planet to not cackle at the sight of the three of them channeling Sasha Fierce’s dance moves every time that infectious anthem starts playing. Timberlake, in particular, was the star, attacking the choreography with a strange and almost disturbing intensity. Who knew Mr. Sexy Back would have his next pop culture moment — and look so comfortable doing it — donning a leotard and high heels? Dick in a Box, Timberlake’s last classic SNL moment, it’s not, but really, is anything ever going to be as good as Dick in a Box?

Ultimately, though, the gay sketches on “SNL” made me feel not only like I wasn’t in on the joke, but even worse, that I was part of the punchline. Whether it was Snagglepuss’s flick of the wrist or two guys talking about how they’re so not gay, or the aforementioned gay make-out session, I found most of the humor a little wanting, borderline offensive, and most importantly, so 2005.

Head writer Seth Meyers has said he felt like he hadn’t crossed a line, and maybe he didn’t. I just know that when it comes to gay topics, he and his writers can do much better (witness their rebuke of Sarah Palin and Joe Biden for the candidates’ anti-gay marriage stances during the vice presidential debate). They’re going to have to if they want to keep up with Jon Stewart.