Live From New York…Why SNL Still Runs the Show

By Cassie Dornan

Account Executive

Every Saturday night, 50 years in, Saturday Night Live (SNL) is still where the biggest names in comedy, music, acting, and popular culture want to be. From viral sketches to headline making performances, SNL keeps proving that it’s not just surviving, it’s stirring and leading conversation. As Eric Deggans states, “SNL remains one of the most powerful brands in comedy,” and week after week, it shows us why. 

Photo courtesy of InsideHook

Since its debut in 1975, SNL has served as a time capsule for America, capturing news and pop culture into one huge satirical live show each week. Each Saturday is a snapshot of what is going on in the world, from politics to celebrity drama. When a sketch hits, it doesn’t just make others laugh, it serves as a reference for a specific time in history. From impressions of numerous political figures, like James Austin Johnson as “Donald Trump” or Tina Fey as “Sarah Palin,” to music parodies referencing “More Cowbell” or “King Tut,” SNL continues to shape how we talk about the world. 

For many celebrities, hosting SNL is considered a huge milestone, an “I’ve made it” moment. Throughout its history, SNL has continually booked top celebrities from actors, musicians, athletes, to even politicians who view the show as a career defining event. Remember when Ariana Grande sang an Espresso themed song about a man named Domingo? Or Ryan Gosling not so cleverly disguising himself as Beavis? These moments dictate more than pop culture successes, but give stars a chance to showcase another side to themselves, a goofier, more relatable one. 

Something that has continually made SNL a powerhouse has been their ability to introduce new talent. From Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig to Bowen Yang, SNL has been launching careers for over five decades. Even now, it continues to create some of comedy’s biggest names and help audiences discover the next big stars. 

Photo courtesy of The Economist

Of course, people are always quick to judge SNL and say it isn’t as good or funny as it once was. As Freya Patel-Redfearn states, “SNL thrives as a creature of the past, as something to look back on fondly.” In many ways, people always look back on seasons and find them more enjoyable even if they didn’t in the moment. SNL provides that nostalgic effect. Each new season builds upon the previous while also finding new ways to stay relevant and fresh. 

SNL isn’t just surviving, it’s running late night TV.  From giving us some of the most memorable pop culture moments to providing us with showstopping performances, SNL continues to be the place where comedy, celebrities, and culture thrive. Nearly 50 years later, it is clear that SNL continues to be the show everyone else is chasing.