Original artwork, not a still
Well, isn't that special?
— Saturday Night Live ‧ 1975
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is the sound of someone being disapproving and delighted at once. The Church Lady never says the harsh thing outright, just stretches the word 'special' until it stings, and that tone is why it escaped the sketch and became a drawled put-down for any lame excuse, bad idea or smug brag, long after the sketch aired.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Saturday Night LiveShow the scene
The Church Lady is Enid Strict, a prim, sour host created by Dana Carvey and Rosie Shuster for Saturday Night Live. Her talk-show sketch, Church Chat, first aired on the season 12 premiere in October 1986. Carvey plays her interviewing guests, then scolding them for their supposed sins. Her trademark reply to any confession or boast is this sing-song, sarcastic phrase, delivered with a tight smile, and she often wonders aloud whether the real culprit might be Satan.
Sources (1)
- Wikipedia: Church LadyCreation, Church Chat, catchphrasesReference checked
Context reviewed
