Passing On

Like grandfather like son like daughter — except the son isn't that funny and the daughter has yet to be tested. But tonight, Saturday Night Live tests whether its recent popularity in the ratings is a pre-death spasm or revivification by unveiling its first third generation actor.

Abby Elliot, granddaughter of the comic genius Bob Elliot (who is best known for his work with Ray Goulding) and daughter of Chris Elliot, who perhaps in reaction to his father's act is best known for playing unlikeable characters in movie and tv cameos as an SNL alumnus and catalyst for the "Get a Life" sitcom disaster.

One can only hope she has more to offer than two other multigenerational "stars," whose father has been something of a disappointment. English Princes William and Harry are saddled with poor Prince Charles, still tied to his mother's purse strings, and one hopes that while they referred to him as "an inspiration" on his 60th bday, that his example will turn out to be something they use for good, rather than as a model for their own behavior.

Certainly the burden of carrying fame is too great for some. And it is never as wonderful as when a father and child discover fame together, although for the Leas (father John and son Ken) it probably would have been nicer if it came before dad was a collection of ashes floating in the ocean.