I think NBC gives it a break in the down years because Lorne has a proven record of recovering and reinventing the cast. There have been a few down periods like this and they've come back strong in a couple of years.
The show hasn't been very funny since Will Ferrell left really.
I also think the loss of Phil Hartman was huge. He's the type of guy that could've carried the show in this kind of a transition period. I could see him still on the show if he were around. He was the perfect SNL cast member.
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