Ana Gasteyer was great in her role on "Suburbia," if any of you remember that show. Very funny.

Ana Gastyer was incredible in all the stuff she did for the SNL 50 weekend. She also did a bunch of media for NBC.

I forgot that that she was such a clutch player AND had an amazing set of pipes. Ana paved the way for Cecily Strong - I see them as similar in their style and ability to weave music into comedy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

For example, I don't find Rachel Dratch's characters or comedy style funny (can say the same of Adam Sandler and Molly Shannon before her). But I got the sense that Rachel was frequently pulled into projects by other SNL team members with more commercial potential.

Dratch was supposed to play Jenna in 30 Rock but the network balked, that’s why she showed up randomly so often.

This is so unbelievable I had to look it up, but it's true! I cannot imagine Rachel Dratch in that role. Like PP I don't find her characters or comedy style funny. I like Molly Shannon, though, and think she has much more range (e.g., White Lotus, Only Murders in the Building, etc).

"Dratch was originally cast in the role of Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock as "Jenna DeCarlo", and the original pilot episode features her in the role. After feedback from test audiences, the role was ultimately recast with Jane Krakowski."

I think Dratch is a close friend of Tina and Amy's and they look out for her. Tina is the one who wanted her in 30 Rock as Jenna. I am sure she is a lovely person but I agree that I don't find her comedy funny and I am sure the network and audiences did not warm to her looks.

Anonymous wrote:

For example, I don't find Rachel Dratch's characters or comedy style funny (can say the same of Adam Sandler and Molly Shannon before her). But I got the sense that Rachel was frequently pulled into projects by other SNL team members with more commercial potential.

Dratch was supposed to play Jenna in 30 Rock but the network balked, that’s why she showed up randomly so often.

This is so unbelievable I had to look it up, but it's true! I cannot imagine Rachel Dratch in that role. Like PP I don't find her characters or comedy style funny. I like Molly Shannon, though, and think she has much more range (e.g., White Lotus, Only Murders in the Building, etc).

"Dratch was originally cast in the role of Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock as "Jenna DeCarlo", and the original pilot episode features her in the role. After feedback from test audiences, the role was ultimately recast with Jane Krakowski."

Anonymous wrote:I get Mean Girl vibes from Tina Fey. Maybe that's unfair, but I just do.

+1

For example, I don't find Rachel Dratch's characters or comedy style funny (can say the same of Adam Sandler and Molly Shannon before her). But I got the sense that Rachel was frequently pulled into projects by other SNL team members with more commercial potential.

Dratch was supposed to play Jenna in 30 Rock but the network balked, that’s why she showed up randomly so often.

She's a local girl too. I adore her. I like Molly Shannon just as much though.

I think that Tina Fey did a better job marketing herself and got some lucky breaks.

I get Mean Girl vibes from Tina Fey. Maybe that's unfair, but I just do.

We loved her in lady dynamite

She repeatedly performed Bobbi Mohan-Culp, plus Martha Stewart, and of course Margaret Jo from Delicious Dish.

Tina Fey was clearly funnier. Perhaps it's because Tina Fey was also a writer.

Tina put her SNL besties in a lot of her projects.

For example, I don't find Rachel Dratch's characters or comedy style funny (can say the same of Adam Sandler and Molly Shannon before her). But I got the sense that Rachel was frequently pulled into projects by other SNL team members with more commercial potential.

So my guess is that Ana was not personally in the inner circle of the funnier SNL comediennes. I can't remember any repeated character she performed.

Agree she is amazing!

Looks like after SNL she and her husband stayed in NYC and had 2 children, and she did a ton of theater. Probably easier schedule and no travel.

She was hilarious on the SNL Homecoming Concert. Why didn't her career soar like Fey and Poehler??