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‘Saturday Night Live’ is more than a show, it’s a world. And there’s nothing like it

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“Saturday Night Live” is having a 50th anniversary, and things are happening.

Last year, Jason Reitman’s drama-comedy “Saturday Night” was based on the initial episode of the series. This week, there is a feature about executive producer Lorne Michaels in The New Yorker, which is drawn from Susan Morrison’s forthcoming biography titled “Lorne: The Creator of Saturday Night.” Currently, Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform, offers an engaging docuseries called “SNL50: Beyond the Saturday Night Experience,” now available for streaming. Each episode delves into specific aspects such as auditions (“Five Minutes”), the creative process (“Written By: A Week in the SNL Writers Room”), a famous sketch (“More Cowbell”), and when Michaels returned to lead the show after a five-year hiatus (“Season 11: The Odd Year”).

Starting January 27th on NBC, the special “Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music,” jointly directed by Questlove and Oz Rodriguez, delves into the vibrant history of SNL’s musical acts and comedians dabbling in music. The show kicks off with a lengthy, skillfully blended medley/mix of performances that makes you grateful to have lived during its era, and simply happy to be alive. Furthermore, on February 16th, NBC will broadcast, while Peacock will stream, “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” an extended three-hour prime-time event. As expected, it will air live.

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Instead of ‘Hollywood’s favorite sketches from the first 50 years’, you could say ‘Favorite SNL skits over the past five decades, featuring veterans like Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig, movie stars, documentarians, and reality TV judges.’ This maintains the original meaning while being easier to read and more natural.

For over five decades, numerous critics and fans have scrutinized this show. It’s not always excellent; in fact, there are moments, even entire episodes or seasons, that fall short. Yet, it persists, driven by continual renewal. Often written off, it has repeatedly bounced back, victories of the past overshadowed by new ones – a show that never truly stays defeated, always ready for another comeback.

As the years pass, it’s evolved into something greater than just a TV program – a community, a universe. Regular guest hosts and musicians keep coming back, shaping “SNL” just as much as its permanent cast or writers. The 2024 Christmas episode’s cold open, hosted by Martin Short (a Season 10 alum), revisited the concept of the “Five-Timers Club,” a group whose members have hosted at least five times. This special event also featured appearances from Tom Hanks, Paul Rudd, John Mulaney, Emma Stone, Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, Scarlett Johansson, Melissa McCarthy, Alec Baldwin, and Jimmy Fallon. Other club members include Dwayne Johnson, Justin Timberlake, Candice Bergen, and Christopher Walken, famous for his role as the record producer who demanded “more cowbell.

Over six days, I conjured up something extraordinary – “SNL.” On the seventh day, we rest. Yet, it’s impossible to ignore its imperfections. Skits drag on, jokes miss their mark, and some hosts, especially those unfamiliar with showbiz, struggle. However, despite last-minute revisions, the show is meticulously orchestrated, a well-oiled machine where countless workers construct sets and manage costumes in the final days before broadcast. The writers are the directors of their sketches, and improvisation is minimal. The system, which has remained largely consistent over the years, is designed to minimize failure, yet failure is an integral part of our process. Ideas get discarded, skits get cut, and what works in rehearsals may not translate to the screen.

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On Saturday Night, we follow a span of 90 minutes that precedes the initial airing of ‘SNL’ – however, this account isn’t strictly faithful to reality. Below is a breakdown of truths and fabrications. (Informal and conversational)

Initially, television broadcasts were live due to technical requirements; however, by 1975, they were predominantly used for sports, news, and special events. “SNL,” conceived as an alternative to re-runs of the “Tonight Show” hosted by Johnny Carson, drew inspiration from the spirit of Sid Caesar’s 1950s “Your Show of Shows.” Yet, it presented its brand of variety with a youthful, countercultural edge. Sid Caesar was still considered revolutionary at the time. A collection of sketches titled “Ten From Your Show of Shows” was released in theaters in 1973; he would host “SNL” in 1983. Unlike other shows that were live out of necessity, “SNL” was live because it was thrilling and risky, and, compared to network television standards, it was unrefined; it often courted chaos, and sometimes chaos prevailed.

The event and the players were tightly connected to the audience, especially those on the East Coast, since they were actively involved in real-time. This initial ensemble, known as the Not Ready for Prime Time Players – consisting of Gilda Radner, Laraine Newman, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and Chevy Chase (with Bill Murray joining in the second season) – gained fame similar to a popular rock band. The media that usually overlooked TV shows were fascinated by them, and viewers couldn’t get enough. In addition, producer Michaels portrayed himself as a character during the show.

Reflecting on it now, the series initially faced some turbulence but soon found its stride rather swiftly. Some of the early gems included Radner’s “The Judy Miller Show, Live From Her Bedroom,” Aykroyd’s self-destructive Julia Child character, an elderly Belushi visiting the Not Ready for Prime Time cemetery as the lone surviving cast member, and a heated, racially charged word association test between Chase and host Richard Pryor. Murray’s segments still feel remarkably relevant today, given his significant cultural impact. However, humor doesn’t always translate over time. (Curtin, looking back from 2023, told People magazine that “nothing was funny” in one particular episode.) Two sketches that left a lasting impression on me from that era were not actually comedic at all – the repetitive “Olympia Restaurant,” where the only humor lies in the repeated phrase “cheeseburger” and “No Coke, Pepsi,” and the somber “Reunion,” featuring Aykroyd and Curtin as former high school classmates awkwardly seated together at a lunch counter. These pieces were more like experimental theater than comedy, and they’ve retained their freshness over time.

1. The early seasons of a popular show are long in the past now, as the original cast members are either elderly or have passed away.

2. Fifty years before this show (SNL), movies were still silent and couldn’t talk; famous movies like Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush,” Buster Keaton’s “Go West,” and Harold Lloyd’s “The Freshman” were released; F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” was published; the Scopes Monkey Trial happened; Mount Rushmore was dedicated; and the world’s first motel opened.

3. It’s often said that one’s favorite SNL cast is the one they discovered during their high school years, which implies a certain youthful humor about it. Today’s cast grew up watching the 21st-century version of the show.

4. Phrases like “Never mind,” “Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead,” “Consume mass quantities,” “But nooooo!,” and even the “Wayne’s World” catchphrase “We’re not worthy!” may be unfamiliar to younger viewers.

In the “Wayne’s World” sketch, Mike Myers portrayed Wayne and Dana Carvey played Garth, expressing their humility with the phrase “We’re not worthy!” (Photo by Alan Singer/NBCU)

The ladies of “Weekend Update”: Tina Fey, left, and Amy Poehler. (Dana Edelson/NBC)

SNL” serves as a platform, a stepping stone towards greater or different opportunities, or even lesser ones. Some performers stay for a long time, while others are here for just a short while; some choose to leave, while others are asked to go. “SNL” is not the only avenue for modern American comedy success, but it offers unparalleled exposure. Notably, Kenan Thompson, who’s been on the show for an unprecedented 22 seasons and counting, had already starred in a popular Nickelodeon series titled “Kenan & Kel” and its successful spinoff film “Good Burger.” However, more frequently, careers take flight on SNL.

Among its long-standing cast members, Eddie Murphy, Phil Hartman, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Melissa McCarthy, Tracy Morgan, Maya Rudolph, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jon Lovitz, Chris Rock, Dana Carvey, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Chris Farley, David Spade, Tim Meadows, Leslie Jones, Norm Macdonald, Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon, Fred Armisen, Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis, Julia Sweeney and Bobby Moynihan are some notable names. The show has expanded its reign into weeknight late-night television with Fallon and Seth Meyers, both produced by Broadway Video. Interestingly, Stephen Colbert, who later became a successful host himself, was initially rejected when he auditioned for “SNL”.

Some well-known comedians like Eddie Murphy, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and many others have been part of Saturday Night Live (SNL) for a long time. The show is now also seen on weeknights with hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. Stephen Colbert was once turned down when he auditioned for SNL, but things worked out well for him in the end.

Since 1975, the world has progressed significantly, and “SNL” has produced some residue along the way. One area where it has lagged is diversity. In many instances, white actors would portray characters of other ethnicities, such as Billy Crystal’s affectionate blackface portrayal of Sammy Davis Jr., which feels starkly different from the era when Morris was tasked with playing all Black characters. It wasn’t until 2013 that Thompson refused to play Black women and advocated for the hiring of actual Black actresses instead. The significant milestone of having a full-blooded Asian cast member, Bowen Yang, was achieved in 2019, marking a first in “SNL” history.

In a Season 49 skit, Bowen Yang became the first Asian actor to join the Saturday Night Live cast.

Last year, Kenan Thompson portrayed the role of Little Richard. With his long-standing tenure, he holds the title as the longest-serving “SNL” (Saturday Night Live) cast member.

I no longer watch it live or through DVR, but apparently over 4 million people do according to Nielsen’s Live + First Day ratings. It’s not my “SNL” anymore, which isn’t a criticism, just an observation. The show often repeats sketches and characters, so you can get a sense of what they’re doing by dropping in. YouTube clips from the “Saturday Night Live” channel (which has 15 million subscribers) and social media sharing help me stay updated on new content. Thankfully, these platforms introduced me to Nate Bargatze in “Washington’s Dream.

Television

Following our poll among renowned figures and readers of The Times, here is a list of 45 beloved ‘Saturday Night Live’ sketches that have left a lasting impression on many.

At age 50, it’s holding up quite well (in celebration of its anniversary). Some of the newer cast members seem a bit blurry, but the veterans are doing great: Thompson, who has been part of the series for almost half its existence, and is approaching being half his age; Mikey Day (44); Heidi Gardner (41); Bowen Yang (34); Chloe Fineman (36); Ego Nwodim (36); Michael Che (41) and Colin Jost (42), who have been anchoring Weekend Update for over a decade. They stand out due to their longevity, among the 15 “repertory players” and 3 “featured players”. As younger players take over from them, these veterans will eventually become older players, and thus continues the cycle of life.

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that many fellow fans express their concerns about how “Saturday Night Live” isn’t as hilarious as it once was. This sentiment is quite prevalent when discussing comedy series. However, through the years, SNL has managed to adapt while still retaining its essence, a remarkable feat given the relentless pace of change. It straddles the line between the slightly offbeat mainstream and the more radically unconventional, offering a perfect blend of familiarity and novelty each Saturday night. The allure lies in the unknown – what could potentially succeed? What might unexpectedly falter?

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2025-01-17 14:32

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