Amy Poehler Has Baby; Misses Saturday Night Live

Photo from Chicago Improv Festival

Amy Poehler, one of the funniest cast members of Saturday Night Live, missed tonight's episode (except for a filmed segment) due to the birth of her son, Archie. She couldn't have missed a better night, because the show just wasn't very funny. I know, it's a constant criticism, but to be fair, there are usually one or two funny skits, and you can depend upon the cold open and Weekend Update for solid laughs.

But not last night. The opening skit, about Jack Murtha and Joe Biden's gaffes this week was deeply "inside politics," and probably only appealed to right-wingers desperate for a game changer. WU was fine with the fake news, but the "robo call" segment was bad, and the Nicholas Fein bit--once funny--is out of gas.

I say this as a fan who has watched since episode 1 in 1975, who has seen every rise and fall of the show. I don't think it's Saturday Night Dead yet, as it always bounces back. And back again, sometimes in the same season. The sad part is, Poehler won't be back. But maybe Amy will make some guest spots, like Maya Rudolph made last night, which was one of the brighter spots in a flat show.

In any event, congratulations to her and her husband, Will Arnett.

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Amy Poehler baby causes mom to miss 'Saturday Night Live'

Poehler, who is married to actor Will Arnett ("Arrested Development"), gave birth to Archie Arnett earlier Saturday in New York, according to a post-show NBC statement.

The network said the baby weighed in at 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and that mother, child and father were all healthy and resting comfortably. . .

Read more at: Chicago Tribune