The TV show Saturday Night Live has long been the springboard for launching movie careers. Some of them have been successful, while others have abominably flopped. Who do you think has been the most successful?
In terms of making money, it has to be Adam Sandler. His movies rake in boatloads of dough and his production company has helped many other SNL alums to get their own movies into theaters (e.g., Rob Schneider would never have had a movie in the theaters if it hadn't been for Adam Sandler).
Of course, Sandler has failed miserably from a critical perspective. His movies are routinely smashed by critics (except maybe Punch Drunk Love, but that was a flop at the box office).
I think that the SNL alum who has made the best movies is Bill Murray: Meatballs, Caddyshack, Stripes, Ghostbusters, What About Bob?, and Lost In Translation are all good films that utilize his comedic talent.
One guy who I loved when he was on SNL but never thought that he would be successful in movies was Will Ferrell. He certainly proved me wrong however, and now he is a hot commodity in Hollywood. Goulet!
I'll have to go with Bill Murray. He was able to shed the crooked-grin, sly, smartass persona and has done some really good work. Nominated for an Academy Award. So was Dan Ackroyd, but he really has made some weird choices with his later movies. I'll go with:
1. Bill Murray
2. Billy Crystal
3. Mike Myers
4. Adam Sandler
5. Will Ferrell
6. Eddie Murphy
7. Chevy Chase
8. Dan Ackroyd
9. John Belushi (RIP)
10.Chris Farley (RIP)
Good list. I'm glad to see that neither Rob Schneider nor David Spade are on it
Yeah, I know that Crystal and Short were on SNL, but I never really saw them as alums per se because they were established already before they joined the team. Who can ever forget Crystal's impersonation of Lorenzo Llamas: "You look mahvelous."
Fifteen years ago I would have said Eddie Murphy, but his more recent films haven't been as good as his 1980's flicks--especially 48 Hrs. and Beverly Hills Cop. Plus, his standup career was really in full swing as well. Some people thing he strayed too far from his roots and got into comedy material he shouldn't have.
Fifteen years ago I would have said Eddie Murphy, but his more recent films haven't been as good as his 1980's flicks--especially 48 Hrs. and Beverly Hills Cop.
I liked Coming to America. It wasn't as goofy and over-the-top as some of his movies have been.
Bill Murray for sure. He's had critical and financial success. A couple of his movies have stood the test of time and are flat among the best ever made in their genre. I’m thinking Caddy Shack and Ghostbusters. I caught Ghostbusters again the other day while channel surfing. What a great movie! Funny and a neat story!
It's too early to make that claim about Ferrell. He's only been making films for about five years now, so he doesn't have the life experience of Murray, Chase, Aykroyd, or Sandler. He may eventually surpass them all eventually, because his goofy style and mindless, silly humor appeals to this generation's simple sense of humor.
I'd like to see that quote...please post the link.
I didn't read it online. In fact, I heard Crystal in an interview long before I ever had a computer. Who knows, I may have misquoted it, although I doubt it. However, that was when I was still having seizure problems, and I have problems remembering some things from those 14 years. As a matter of fact, some periods of my life are totally blocked out (e.g., I can't remember for the life of me who my roommates were my last two years in college--I don't even recall what they looked like).
I didn't read it online. In fact, I heard Crystal in an interview long before I ever had a computer. Who knows, I may have misquoted it, although I doubt it. However, that was when I was still having seizure problems, and I have problems remembering some things from those 14 years. As a matter of fact, some periods of my life are totally blocked out (e.g., I can't remember for the life of me who my roommates were my last two years in college--I don't even recall what they looked like).
Yeah...I'm sure you are right and Crystal mistakenly thought he was impersonating Lorenzo Lamas.
Btw, those blackouts explain many of your stated opinions on this site. Thanks.
Btw, those blackouts explain many of your stated opinions on this site. Thanks.
Humorous, but illogical and untrue. I haven't had a seizure since 2002, and my memory is excellent now. What I have a hard time remembering are some personal experiences from the past--experiences which rarely come into play on this discussion board. Also, we're talking about opinions, which are not distorted by any issues of personal experience that I can't remember clearly. The opinions are based on facts--facts I can research and verify.
True. I went on a quotation that Billy Crystal made, which unfortunately was in error.
I really, really doubt Crystal made that mistake, particularly since he only called that character by the first name of Fernando.
Good Lord, even when you get caught in an innocent, understandable error, you have to blame it on something or someone else. You've got some issues, Richie. That much is "Crystal" clear, whether your memory is or not.
I really, really doubt Crystal made that mistake, particularly since he only called that character by the first name of Fernando.
Good Lord, even when you get caught in an innocent, understandable error, you have to blame it on something or someone else. You've got some issues, Richie. That much is "Crystal" clear, whether your memory is or not.
I think Rich is yet another example of the "accountability problem" he rants about in society today.
Good Lord, even when you get caught in an innocent, understandable error, you have to blame it on something or someone else. You've got some issues, Richie. That much is "Crystal" clear, whether your memory is or not.
You know, I don't take offense to too much on this site, but I do take offense to that. I had a seizure disorder for 14 years of my life. I couldn't drive, and the money it cost me was ridiculous. Even with good insurance plans, the costs piled up for doctor's visits, blood tests, MRIs, sleep EEGs, ambulance and hospital services, and medication--for which there was no generic substitute. Here I am getting married in December, and money is a bit scarce. It wouldn't have been so if I hadn't had to pay all those bills. Part of the effects of those seizures was that some of my personal experiences were blocked out of my memory. Cherished memories of family and friends that others recall, but I cannot.
I thank God that I have been healed of this disorder, and that I no longer have to take medication. I can now drive. But those missing memories still persist. Yes, for the last four years I can recall so much--more than most people--but before then I couldn't. Friends would marvel that I could retain so much sports knowledge, especially statistics, and yet I couldn't remember details of personal events that occurred within the last year. I mean, I can tell you that the score of Super Bowl XXX was 27-17--Dallas over Pittsburgh--and that the MVP of the game was cornerback Larry Brown; yet I can't remember what I was doing in January 1996 when that game was taking place.
For that error about Billy Crystal's comment, I apologize. I heard it awhile back, and I must have misquoted it. That happens from time to time becaue of what I experienced from 1988 to 2002.
You know, I don't take offense to too much on this site, but I do take offense to that. I had a seizure disorder for 14 years of my life. I couldn't drive, and the money it cost me was ridiculous. Even with good insurance plans, the costs piled up for doctor's visits, blood tests, MRIs, sleep EEGs, ambulance and hospital services, and medication--for which there was no generic substitute. Here I am getting married in December, and money is a bit scarce. It wouldn't have been so if I hadn't had to pay all those bills. Part of the effects of those seizures was that some of my personal experiences were blocked out of my memory. Cherished memories of family and friends that others recall, but I cannot.
I thank God that I have been healed of this disorder, and that I no longer have to take medication. I can now drive. But those missing memories still persist. Yes, for the last four years I can recall so much--more than most people--but before then I couldn't. Friends would marvel that I could retain so much sports knowledge, especially statistics, and yet I couldn't remember details of personal events that occurred within the last year. I mean, I can tell you that the score of Super Bowl XXX was 27-17--Dallas over Pittsburgh--and that the MVP of the game was cornerback Larry Brown; yet I can't remember what I was doing in January 1996 when that game was taking place.
For that error about Billy Crystal's comment, I apologize. I heard it awhile back, and I must have misquoted it. That happens from time to time becaue of what I experienced from 1988 to 2002.
Frankly, I could care less that I've offended you. Not because I'm calloused, it's just that you're treading onto all-too-familair terrain, even with this explanation. It has nothing to do with the subject at hand.
You, the consummate hair-splitter, made a ridiculous claim that Billy Crystal - not YOU mind you, but the creator of the character - forgot the name. You attributed the error to him. Your last sentence is the first you came to even acknowledging you might have erred. That's a big step for you.
You still cannot accept or admit that you were wrong about something. Instead, you go into a protracted explanation that has nothing to do with what happened one day ago, not 12 years.
You know what? I had quadruple bypass surgery a year and a half ago. Some of the residual effects of that surgery are still with me. But I refuse to blame them for some things that affect my everyday life NOW, much less a dozen years ago.
Ask anybody - ANYBODY - who knows me well and they'll tell you I'm a person of compassion. Give me a legitmate reason to care and I will. You haven't. You no longer suffer from that disorder. Good for you. But don't blame it for a honest mistake you made on something as frivilous as a Movie Forum chat room and then go into some agonized explanation to cover what is such a meaningless thing. Is it really that important to you to go to such lengths?
You've overcome your disorder, but you need to overcome this chest-thumping of yours which alienates people left and right. You have demonstrated such a latent haughtiness that anything that resembles humanity is sadly couched in a desperate attempt to save face. I wasn't kidding when I've said that I feel sorry for you.
I really wish you could express a little self-effacing humor once in a while and quit this pathetic notion that you always have to claim you're right even when you know, down deep, that you're not. It can't be fun living this way. No more so than it was during your illness.
You know, I don't take offense to too much on this site, but I do take offense to that. I had a seizure disorder for 14 years of my life. I couldn't drive, and the money it cost me was ridiculous. Even with good insurance plans, the costs piled up for doctor's visits, blood tests, MRIs, sleep EEGs, ambulance and hospital services, and medication--for which there was no generic substitute. Here I am getting married in December, and money is a bit scarce. It wouldn't have been so if I hadn't had to pay all those bills. Part of the effects of those seizures was that some of my personal experiences were blocked out of my memory. Cherished memories of family and friends that others recall, but I cannot.
I thank God that I have been healed of this disorder, and that I no longer have to take medication. I can now drive. But those missing memories still persist. Yes, for the last four years I can recall so much--more than most people--but before then I couldn't. Friends would marvel that I could retain so much sports knowledge, especially statistics, and yet I couldn't remember details of personal events that occurred within the last year. I mean, I can tell you that the score of Super Bowl XXX was 27-17--Dallas over Pittsburgh--and that the MVP of the game was cornerback Larry Brown; yet I can't remember what I was doing in January 1996 when that game was taking place.
For that error about Billy Crystal's comment, I apologize. I heard it awhile back, and I must have misquoted it. That happens from time to time becaue of what I experienced from 1988 to 2002.
People might actually care about that story if you weren't so judgmental of others. Oh well...you reap what you sow.
I really wish you could express a little self-effacing humor once in a while and quit this pathetic notion that you always have to claim you're right even when you know, down deep, that you're not. It can't be fun living this way. No more so than it was during your illness.
Don't worry, I know when I'm right and when I'm wrong, and I have always freely admitted to both. Just so you know, I am having fun living this way--sorry to disappoint you.
Frankly, I could care less that I've offended you. Not because I'm calloused, it's just that you're treading onto all-too-familair terrain, even with this explanation. It has nothing to do with the subject at hand.
You, the consummate hair-splitter, made a ridiculous claim that Billy Crystal - not YOU mind you, but the creator of the character - forgot the name. You attributed the error to him. Your last sentence is the first you came to even acknowledging you might have erred. That's a big step for you.
You still cannot accept or admit that you were wrong about something. Instead, you go into a protracted explanation that has nothing to do with what happened one day ago, not 12 years.
You know what? I had quadruple bypass surgery a year and a half ago. Some of the residual effects of that surgery are still with me. But I refuse to blame them for some things that affect my everyday life NOW, much less a dozen years ago.
Ask anybody - ANYBODY - who knows me well and they'll tell you I'm a person of compassion. Give me a legitmate reason to care and I will. You haven't. You no longer suffer from that disorder. Good for you. But don't blame it for a honest mistake you made on something as frivilous as a Movie Forum chat room and then go into some agonized explanation to cover what is such a meaningless thing. Is it really that important to you to go to such lengths?
You've overcome your disorder, but you need to overcome this chest-thumping of yours which alienates people left and right. You have demonstrated such a latent haughtiness that anything that resembles humanity is sadly couched in a desperate attempt to save face. I wasn't kidding when I've said that I feel sorry for you.
I really wish you could express a little self-effacing humor once in a while and quit this pathetic notion that you always have to claim you're right even when you know, down deep, that you're not. It can't be fun living this way. No more so than it was during your illness.
ay dude thats a little harsh i mean he made a simple mistake and while it seems like he does always criticize others and things of that sort u cant just go about sayin things like that. i mean everyone has an issue and u cant just shoot it down because of what he says to other people about opinions. I could see if he attacked peoples personal lives and such but this is just ridiculous and heartless. Grow Up!
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