Saturday: Night Live - Snl - Complete Seasons 16... __full__

Season 15 had been a ratings struggle. The cast, led by veterans like Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, and Jon Lovitz (who left mid-season 15), was talented but directionless. The departure of lovable everyman Lovitz left a hole. The arrival of a brash, unknown young comedian named Chris Farley? That was still a few months away.

SNL Season 16: The Dawn of the "Bad Boys" Era Aired between September 1990 and May 1991, Saturday Night Live Season 16 Saturday Night Live - SNL - Complete Seasons 16...

However, the season was not without its struggles. The high-energy, sometimes chaotic style of the new cast led to mixed critical reviews at the time. Some critics felt the show relied too heavily on "adolescent" humor—a critique often lobbed at Sandler and Farley—while others praised the fresh electricity they brought to Studio 8H. Additionally, cast member struggled to find his footing within the ensemble structure and eventually left the show, highlighting the difficulty of transitioning from stand-up comedy to sketch acting. Season 15 had been a ratings struggle