Vanity Fair recently published part of a letter I wrote to their editor. The letter was in response to their story on Tina Fey. Here's the letter in its entirety:
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Dear Editor,
Maureen Dowd neglected to mention one of Tina Fey’s finest achievements; reforming the infamously harsh offstage culture at Saturday Night Live.
For decades, horror stories circulated about Saturday Night Live’s wicked backstage politics, bare knuckle infighting, and long standing grudges. Ben Stiller and Janeane Garofalo fled the show shortly after arriving. Martin Short, an established professional, departed quietly after a single season. Celebrated alumni Jane Curtain and Eddie Murphy still refuse to set foot in Studio 8H.
Michael O’Donoghue, SNL’s first Head Writer, fathered its notoriously cruel backstage culture. His wit was so sharp, so aggressive, that O’Donoghue likened getting laughs to “spilling blood” on stage. He savaged audiences and co-workers alike. Mr. O’Donoghue’s vicious tone dominated SNL’s brood long after his departure.
Tina Fey changed that. As Head Writer Ms. Fey’s tough but gracious style fostered a lasting sense of creative safety and professional decency. Breaking with tradition, Ms. Fey encouraged her peers, and presided over an SNL heyday. Considering the far-reaching influence of Saturday Night Live’s progeny on American comedy-- and the entertainment industry in general-- this is a profound achievement, for which Tina Fey deserves recognition.
Ed Zareh
Researcher
“Live From New York! The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live”
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