>and he was already on SNL in it's prime by that point
>selling out shows at that point of his career doesn't prove he
>had clout as a stand up prior to those shows

do you miss the repeated (and agreed upon) fact that for al intents and purposes SNL was "saved" because of him

pretty much everyone agreed the show would have died without him

>but imo the existence of those two specials pretty much
>fulfills any criteria necessary for being a "stand up
>comedian"

right. plus the show itself was live, therefore one woudl think that would lend some credence to his ability to do live comedy

*shrug* (again)