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The Very Animated History of ‘SNL’s ‘TV Funhouse,’ According to Robert Smigel

Starting in 1996, the cartoon showcase TV Funhouse became a regular fixture on Saturday Night Live. The brainchild of veteran SNL writer — and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog creator — Robert Smigel, TV Funhouse is best remembered as the home for Ace and Gary, “The Ambiguously Gay Duo,” who would defeat the forces of evil in the most suggestive ways possible.

But there was more to TV Funhouse than just Ace and Gary. Other recurring segments included “The X-Presidents,” — in which (then) ex-presidents Reagan, Ford, Bush Sr. and Carter (RIP) would make America safe with their variety of superpowers, and “Fun with Real Audio,” where real news audio from political figures would be used over hilariously humiliating animation. There were also dozens of one-off cartoons featuring Smigel’s signature brand of twisted humor.

Chris Parnell on Being the Only Cast Member Fired from ‘SNL’ Twice

In his eight years on Saturday Night Live, Chris Parnell certainly left a mark. From his dead-on impression of Tom Brokaw, to his famous rapping skills, to his earning the nickname “The Iceman” for never breaking in a sketch, Parnell’s legacy on the show is impressive. There is, however, one thing that sets him apart from every other cast member ever: He’s the only guy to have been fired from the show not once, but twice. 

I recently caught up with the presently gainfully employed Parnell to discuss those two dismissals as well as the protest sketch one of the show’s writers put together to express to Lorne Michaels their displeasure with Parnell’s termination.

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