Reflections on SNL’s Coffee Talk and the Art of the Coffee Table

With Saturday Night Live recently celebrating its 50-year milestone, it’s impossible not to reflect on some of the show’s most iconic sketches.

In January of 1991, actor and comedian Mike Myers, introduced an impersonation of his mother-in-law, Linda Richman, on the Saturday Night Live segment titled Coffee Talk. Some of us who loved the segment may have come across an individual not unlike Mr. Myer’s over-the-top character, Linda - animated, entertaining, with exceptionally strong opinions, who spoke from the heart as well as the gut, and chose to dominate the conversation although not necessarily to that degree. The subjects offered on Coffee Talk, were coffee, shopping, Barbara Streisand, and New York- it was hysterical!

Curiously, despite the segment’s title, the set design didn’t highlight an elaborate coffee table. When one did appear, it was rather unremarkable—a few mugs, some scattered props—certainly not the kind of carefully curated centerpiece that many of us obsess over in our own homes. Obviously, the focus had to be on Mr. Myers, rather than interior decorating. After all, it was TV, and he was center stage.

 In real life, by contrast, the adornment of one’s coffee table can become an all-consuming passion, especially during the winter season.

 I often wondered what makes this so? I’ve come to believe that unlike drapes and wall color, the coffee table is more personal, an extension of one’s lifestyle. There is something deeply artistic and existential about decorating a coffee table, considering that the table honorably serves the role of a core decorative piece. People out shopping for a coffee table seem intuitively drawn to a certain size, a certain material composition, and the underneath storage capacity, all standard coffee table variables.

 The coffee table has its origins in the 18th century English tea table. Those Victorian-era wooden tables stood high, typically behind the sofa and held tea cups, maybe even a Samovar or two. Over time, the coffee table evolved into what we now recognize as a more modern, compact version. 

 I confess to having been mesmerized by media portrayals of the perfect coffee table, as I compare the magazine version with my own modest, multi-purpose coffee table.

 As I prepare for the release of my debut book this June, I find myself thinking about the stories we gather around us—on our bookshelves, in our homes, and yes, even on our coffee tables. A book, like a well-styled table, invites connection, sparks curiosity, and becomes a conversation starter. So, whether you're arranging your space or choosing your next great read, don’t be afraid to make it your own. And, of course, always keep a cup of coffee close by.