Parnell's Firing: A Mistake
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Chris Parnell
tgibbs279 — 19 years ago(September 27, 2006 06:13 PM)
Lorne Michaels made a mistake in firing Chris Parnell, probably the most polished and professional current male cast member. Parnell, to me, is the essential "everyman" who can play any part and play it well.
He's versatile. He can play Tom Brokaw in one sketch, a waiter in the next, or he can rap during 'Weekend Update,' do a professional-caliber voice-over for a mock commercial, or whatever. Versatility it's the same quality Phil Hartman had.
Unfortunately, he does his work so well, he doesn't call attention to himself. He stays in character and doesn't overact or "ham it up." He's credible in any part he plays. If he's playing a waiter, he acts like a waiter.
It's SNL's loss. But hopefully, Parnell will land on his feet on another TV show or in some movies. He's a talented, versatile guy who didn't deserve to be fired. -
Saddy25 — 19 years ago(October 02, 2006 10:09 AM)
excellent post, I agree!
I am pissed about his firing! It doesn't make sense to me, Horatio, Rachel, and him were some of the BEST players in SNL history.
"How Ironicblind, after a lifetime of being able to see"-Homer Simpson -
scarletcaulfield — 19 years ago(October 02, 2006 11:09 AM)
He's great in every sketch he's in, but he's rarely the one who gets the big laughs. Like the cowbell sketch, he was perfect! He let Will be the crazy one and he stayed in character the whole time which made it all the more hilarious. Chris Kattan and Jimmy Fallon started cracking up, even Will did for a second, but Chris Parnell remained in character the whole time, which I thought was amazing and hilarious. Had he started laughing too, I think it would have taken away from the sketch. He's definitely one of the most professional cast members in the history of SNL and one of the funniest too in my opinion.
And they rode on in the friscalating dusklight -
booleon — 19 years ago(October 17, 2006 08:39 PM)
I completely agree with every word here. I'd also like to add that Jason Sudeikis is a horrible "replacement" for Parnell, if that's what they're trying to use him for.
I die a little bit every time I see the opening credits roll, and Chris Parnell's face doesn't show up in that montage. Mind you, it's only happened twice but still. I'm crushed. -
cacilie — 19 years ago(October 21, 2006 10:09 AM)
Extremely well said,tgibbs279!
Cacilie cacilie@sbcglobal.net -
shacke9 — 19 years ago(October 25, 2006 06:40 PM)
yeah chris parnell is one of the most proffesional actors the show has ever had. He has been in a lot of hilarious sketches and has not cracked once. Didnt crack in the cowbell one, didnt crack in the one where Will ferrell is a crazy doctor, didnt crack in this one sketch where there was a family who regurgitate there food like birds do and will ferrell spat food into his mouth and he didnt even look disgusted and he didnt crack in the spelling bee sketch from last year. The man definitelt deserves a Best of.
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JoeLon — 19 years ago(October 29, 2006 12:51 AM)
I never saw Parnell lose his composure during a sketch. He was profession, and he remains talented. The show did not treat him well.
I hope he does well in the future, but the above poster is right: the professional types fade away from popular memory. If only he yelled more and laughed at his own jokes. -
andopolislf — 19 years ago(November 12, 2006 10:28 AM)
i agree with everyone here- what a mistake on michaels part! chris parnell didnt mind being the less over-the-top characters and held his own next to even the biggest names (will ferrell, namely).. hes been consistently funny and always professional.. i dont think any of the new amateurs even compare
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rmana247 — 19 years ago(December 23, 2006 06:52 PM)
Well, he's no Phil Hartman cuz in my opinion he was the greatest cast member ever, but Parnell was great on the show. The show is filled with too many new faces this year, most of which aren't that great. I don't see why they got rid of him this year just when he's really made a mark with people Was he actually fired or was it decided not to renew his contract or what?