My Dad on SNL

Finally. My dad is hosting SNL. I can't believe I can type that sentence and not be writing some sort of fantasy script. I have been awaiting this for years. I may be biased, but I find my dad to be one of the funniest people I've ever encountered. His sense of humor is dry and witty, clean and smart, and everything you would not expect from a traditional Network Newscaster. Pleasantly, refreshingly unexpected.

When I heard he was finally considering it, I lobbied him hard. My parents have loved SNL since it started, and I have watched it religiously since I was old enough to stay up that late. It's one of the passions my dad and I share. I grew up fine-tuning my ear for comedy while watching SNL with my parents. There was no way I was going to let him miss out.

I do not know anyone who takes his job more seriously. People always ask why he isn't "funny" on the newscast. Although it contains his name, Nightly News isn't "about him," and news generally isn't funny. But he has this other side to him that belongs on SNL. Why shouldn't he show that part of his personality?

Brian Williams has the ability to handle just about any job (and he has). I think, however, that we should all thank [insert deity] that he chose to be a journalist, because we are given information in a broadcast that is consistently clean, interesting, concise, and aesthetically pleasing (he's a good looking dude, what can I say?).

This talented, smart, and versatile man that I am lucky enough to call my Dad is going to kill on Saturday night. I am so excited to watch him. Let me rephrase that: I am really excited to look back on watching him, because the amount of sweat my body will be producing between 11:30 - 1 am Sunday morning is not something to look forward to. I guess I'll bring two shirts - and a diaper.

Comments

[Alvin4NY]

I can't help but wonder if William's appearance on SNL has something to do with NBC and their efforts to switch up The Tonight Show when Jay Leno leaves. I know Conan has faithful viewers, but I can't help but wonder if the politicos at NBC are looking for someone like Brian instead. There is a huge difference in demographic between the two. Just a thought.

[JulieSA]

Allison, you're dad was hilarious. I don't trust anyone who won't show a sense of humor and laugh at himself. I loved his dry, deadpan style.

[sebastian]

your Dad was FANTASTIC last night. Mega eye candy, but more than that, he showed real talent and didn't phone it in like a lot of guests (not to mention the wildy erratic cast). (And he had the honor of working with that comic genius, Ms. Wing.)
I've always thought you Dad was a caring guy (who can forget his comments after Katrina?), but he showed a whole new set of chops. Congrats to the whole family!

[Harry3Lime]

Ok, I admit it.
Williams was funnier than Murrow ever thought of being. An appearance on the Colgate Comedy Hour would have done wonders for his reputation.

[HamletsMill]

Allison,

Thanks for your blog post. Your father did a very fine job last night. I enjoyed it very much. You can be proud of him. SNL is a staple with me. It has always been the strength of our nation that we could have such a show.

[shawnamos]

He was very brave and very funny!!!!

[Gussmith]

Lighten up dear Grimm. Cronkite and earlier respected broadcasters just did not consider going on SNL, or they might have. The time may not have been right in the evolution of personal freedoms. Brian Williams does his job very well and has every right to have interests and hobbies. And if he wants to express himself in a comedic role let him stand or fall on his performance. That is what America is about - letting people out of their boxes and free to be themselves.

[ohjaygee]

I wish I could have seen it (SNL sadly doesn't reach us in S. Africa....) although judging from the responses to your blog, he was more than ok and surpassed your expectations!

And I've no doubt that your love, pride and support ultimately means more to him than the ratings!

[sofia]

Brian Williams was very funny last night. It was good to see the lighter side of your dad. What a nice guy! Please congratulate him for all us posters who truly appreciate his human and humane sides.

[photochick]

I've been telling my friends that Williams was funny for years from seeing him on talk shows. He cracked me up. I can't wait to get home from work today and watch the show.

[grimm]

I don't argue that Williams is a funny guy and his daughter adores him. My beef is the blur between news and entertainment that greases the skids of American stupidity.

There was a time when anchors took their image seriously. Can you imagine Cronkite doing a guest shot on the Joey Bishop Show during the height of the Vietnam War? Might have affected the credibility a little.

Remember Cronkite? He's the guy who let Lynden Johnson know when Vietnam was "over". Couldn't tell a joke to save his life.

[yellowdoggie]

Allison, you're right. Your dad is very funny. He's also a great news anchor and is remarkably easy on the eyes. Please don't take any of these cranky comments to heart. Some people want to keep others in tiny little boxes so their minds don't have to deal with human complexities. I find your admiration of your father a credit to you and to him.

[PuffAndStuff]

Allison,

Your father WAS very funny last night -- he did a great job; it was very entertaining.

I had been -- incorrectly, I might add -- one of those people who had assumed your Dad was always in 'anchor man' mode and probably a very stiff person. How wrong that is!

And by the way, I wouldn't know your exact age, but gaging from the photo on your bio I would presume you were somewhere in your 20's. It's hard to believe he has a child your age, he looks much too young!

[bethinCary]

Your dad was great on SNL!
Somehow, I don't think you have to be worried for your dad. He seems to have his focus and "live in the moment"-in most all of the things I've seen him try.

[fariqabdulaziz]

Good job Mr. Williams but the funniest anchor still belongs to Ted Koppel for his appearance on the NPR show "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me".