SNL = Subversive No Longer?

I'm not gonna lie--I love SNL. I have watched the show each week for as long as I can remember...I would go to bed early on Saturday night when I was younger just so I could watch Mike Myers and Dana Carvey without my parents. I felt cool, rebellious, and learned a lot about the world and what was considered funny.

And even though the cast has changed and most people will tell you SNL is not nearly as funny as it used to be, I still DVR the show every week. I think the show is hilarious and its a great commentary on our culture.

I was really excited about last night's episode with host Steve Martin and musical guest Jason Mraz. I happened to be at home, so I decided to watch it live, which I rarely do anymore. And the episode in general was pretty good.

However, I was highly disappointed with what are apparently some new pieces to the SNL format. Not once, not twice, but three times during the commercial break, there was a Pepsi commercial designed to look like an SNL sketch with MacGruber, who is a play-on McGyver for those of you who don't watch the show. I was reminded of the episode of 30 Rock where they have to start using product placement in the show...Liz talks about how much of a sellout they would be if they did that, and throughout the episode they talk about how much they love Snapple. Product placement, sure, but it was done in an irreverant way. The MacGruber skits were just awful, and even though it began to make fun of the Pepsi connection by the third "sketch", I worry that it is a sign of things to come.

I always thought SNL was supposed to be a show that didn't care about what the mainstream thought--they even demonstrated that last night when Fred Armisen appeared again as NY Governor David Paterson (the show was KILLED a couple months ago by the media, saying his impersonation was offensive). He didn't hold back--SNL used to not hold back at all. Sarah Palin anyone?

The economy is bad...yes. I realize the entertainment industry is hurting as much as anyone else. But SNL completely sold out last night. Let's get it together Lorne...and find better ways to use advertisers in your show.