Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live (SNL), created by Dick Ebersol and Lorne Michaels, is a weekly 90-minute American sketch comedy and variety show that has been on-air with National Broadcasting Company (NBC) since 1975. SNL celebrated 50 years in 2025, making it one of the longest-running programs in television history. Saturday Night Live is made up of a regular ensemble cast, and each week, they welcome a different guest host and musical guest. The ensemble cast is often made up of star players from the best improv theatres in the country, such as Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), The Second City, and The Groundlings. So many of today’s most famous comedians got their start on, or have done a stint on SNL — including Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Chris Rock, Mike Myers, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, Jimmy Fallon, and the record-holder for the longest-running cast member, Kenan Thompson.
Saturday Night Live sketches have had a profound cultural impact, prompting many popular spin-offs, including The Blues Brothers, Wayne’s World, and Coneheads. Beloved sitcom, 30 Rock, is based on former SNL head writer, Tina Fey’s, experience on the show. Fans love Saturday Night Live for producing quotable, memorable comedic moments that stand the test of time. That is why the show has been so successful — there is a specific type of magic that comes with a show that celebrates comedy and writing in the way SNL does. As a result, Saturday Night Live has received numerous notable awards and honors, including 90 Emmys and three Peabody Awards.
SNL made it to 50 uninterrupted years on air by being refreshing and never falling behind the times. Saturday Night Live is filmed live with a studio audience and grounded in improv, making it high-stakes entertainment where anything could happen. SNL has made itself a fixture in American television by constantly reinventing itself and bringing new voices to their audience. By sticking to their own brand of edgy, satirical humor, and covering topical headlines from popular culture and politics, SNL has found a way to remain relevant throughout generations — showing no sign of slowing down any time soon.