JBean said:
One of my sons is working towards the goal of getting on that show. I am going to try to steer him in another direction I think.
This is really sad.
Charlie Rocket was probably the unfunniest performer they had on the show, to the point where he became a butt of jokes. Ironic, huh? That was during the period where viewers were unaccustomed to the concept of rotating out the cast of SNL, which is now (20+ years later) standard practice, and there was a lot of negative response re the loss of Ackroyd, Murray, et. al.
I was friendly with two writers/creative directors of both the early SNL & SCTV, both now, sadly, deceased before their time, and at one point had one degree of separation between myself and Farley, Hartman, Murray, Belushi etc. Perhaps I can put the SNL "curse" into better perspective.
Actors, even fairly successful ones, often do not have the world's greatest healthcare, as they are essentially self-employed. And your SAG/WGA health benefits are often decided by how recently you have been actively employed, and whether that employment was union. or non-union. And the rigors of the business, especially amongst comics who are expected to be "funny" & "on" 24/7 by everyone but other comics/actors is exceptionally high--hence the number of "funny guys" who self-medicate. Then there's the truly dangerous aspect of celebrity, where people are not willing to step in and reign in your indulgences re drugs, alcohol, etc. This is the same regardless of the show you might be on.
It just looks like SNL has had more than its fair share of tragedy simply because there have been so MANY cast members over its 30+ lifespan. You could fill a few buses, if not a city hall meeting, with the cast & writing crew.
Some of the deaths were, sadly, forseeable, such as Belushi's and Farley's.
Others, like Phil's, came completely out of left field. But in the long run, comics & actors are like anyone else: subject to cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, depression & drug abuse.
Other TV shows with supposed "curses" include THE ADDAMS FAMILY, MY FAVORITE MARTIAN, BONANZA & GUNSMOKE btw. Not to mention the dreaded OUR GANG curse.
I would recommend your son go to Chicago and try out for Second City if he's really serious about getting on SNL (or any sketch comedy show), either that or go to LA and try out for the Groundlings. That's where most of the performers come from.