View source for Saturday Night Live

{{Short description|American late-night live sketch comedy variety show}}
{{About||the current season|Saturday Night Live season 51{{!}}''Saturday Night Live'' season 51}}
{{Redirect|SNL|other uses|SNL (disambiguation)|and|Saturday Night Live (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Saturday Night Live 2024.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
| image_size           = 250
| caption              = Logo used as of September 28, 2024
| alt_name             = {{Plainlist|
* NBC's Saturday Night {{notitalic|(1975–1977)}}
* ''Saturday Night Live '80'' {{notitalic|(1980)}}
}}
| genre                = {{Plainlist|
* [[Political satire]]
* [[Satire]]
* [[Sketch comedy]]
* [[Stand-up comedy]]
* [[Variety show]]
}}
| creator              = [[Lorne Michaels]]
| writer               = [[List of Saturday Night Live writers|List of ''Saturday Night Live'' writers]]
| director             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Dave Wilson (director)|Dave Wilson]]<br />(1975–1986; 1989–1995)<ref name="thrdirector" />
* [[Paul Miller (TV director)|Paul Miller]]<br />(1986–1989)<ref name="thrdirector" />
* [[Beth McCarthy-Miller]]<br />(1995–2006)<ref name="thrdirector" />
* [[Don Roy King]]<br />(2006–2021)<ref name="thrdirector" />
* Liz Patrick<br />(2021–present)<ref name="thrdirector">{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=Rick |title='Saturday Night Live' Director Don Roy King Retiring |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/snl-director-don-roy-king-retiring-1235021763/ |access-date=June 14, 2021 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009231904/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/snl-director-don-roy-king-retiring-1235021763/ |archive-date=October 9, 2021}}</ref>
}}
| starring             = [[List of Saturday Night Live cast members|List of ''Saturday Night Live'' cast members]]
| announcer            = {{plainlist|<!-- Please keep in order of appearance. Per [[Template:Infobox television]], do NOT include years. -->
* [[Don Pardo]]
* [[Mel Brandt]]
* [[Bill Hanrahan]]
* [[Darrell Hammond]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = [[Howard Shore]] (except for season 6)
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 51<!-- increment when new season begins -->
| num_episodes         = 994<!-- as of November 15, 2025, not including specials -->
| list_episodes        = Lists of Saturday Night Live episodes
| executive_producer   = [[Lorne Michaels]]<br />(1975–1980; 1985–present)<br />[[Jean Doumanian]] (1980–1981)<br />[[Dick Ebersol]] (1981–1985)
| location             = [[Studio 8H]], [[NBC Studios (New York City)|NBC Studios]], New York City
| runtime              = 60–70 minutes (without commercials)
| company              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Broadway Video]] (1981–present)
{{collapsible list|title=Other studios:|
* [[NBC]] (1975–1982)
* [[Universal Television|NBC Productions]] (1982–1996)
* [[Universal Television|NBC Studios]] (1996–1999)
* [[SNL Studios]] (1999–present)}}
}}
| network              = [[NBC]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1975|10|11}}
| last_aired           = present
| network2             = 
| first_aired2         = 
| last_aired2          = 
| related              = {{Plainlist|<!--This section is for series which are related by continuity or production, not series of the same genre.-->
* ''[[TV Funhouse]]''
* ''[[Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday]]''
}}
}}

'''''Saturday Night Live''''' ('''''SNL''''') is an American [[Late night television in the United States|late-night]] [[live television|live]] [[sketch comedy]] [[variety show]]<!-- Do not change the genres, this was discussed in the talk page. --> created by [[Lorne Michaels]] and developed by Michaels and [[Dick Ebersol]] that airs on [[NBC]]. The show's premiere was hosted by [[George Carlin]] on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title '''''NBC's Saturday Night'''''. The show's comedy sketches, which often parody popular culture and politics, are performed by a [[Saturday Night Live cast members|large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members]]. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest and [[live broadcast|broadcast live]] with a studio audience. The host usually delivers a [[monologue]] toward the start of the show and then performs in sketches with the cast, and introduces featured performances by a musical guest. An episode normally begins with a [[cold open]] sketch that is usually based on current political events and ends with someone [[breaking character]] and proclaiming, "[[Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!|Live from New York, it's ''Saturday Night''!]]", before moving to credits and introduction of the guest host.

In 1980, Michaels left the show to explore other opportunities. He was replaced by [[Jean Doumanian]], who was then replaced by Ebersol after a season of bad reviews. Ebersol ran the show until 1985, when Michaels returned. Since then, Michaels has served as [[showrunner]]. Many ''SNL'' cast members have found national stardom while appearing on the show, and achieved success in film and television, both in front of and behind the camera. Others associated with the show, such as writers, have gone on to successful careers creating, writing, and starring in television and film.

''SNL'' is broadcast from Studio 8H at NBC's headquarters in [[30&nbsp;Rockefeller Plaza]] in [[New York City|New York]]. As of the start of season 51 in October 2025, ''SNL'' had aired {{Template parameter value|Saturday Night Live|Infobox television||num_episodes|}} episodes since its debut. It is one of the [[List of longest-running United States television series|longest-running network television programs in the United States]]. The show format has been developed and recreated in several countries, meeting with different levels of success. Successful sketches have seen life outside the show as feature films, including ''[[The Blues Brothers (film)|The Blues Brothers]]'' (1980), ''[[Wayne's World (film)|Wayne's World]]'' (1992) and ''[[A Night at the Roxbury]]'' (1998). The show has been marketed in other ways, including [[List of Saturday Night Live DVD releases|home media releases]] of "best of" and whole seasons, and books and documentaries about behind-the-scenes activities of running and developing the show.

Throughout five decades on air, ''Saturday Night Live'' has received a vast number of awards, including 84 [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s, 6 [[Writers Guild of America Award]]s, and 3 [[Peabody Award]]s. In 2000, it was inducted into the [[National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame]]. It was ranked tenth in ''[[TV Guide]]''{{'}}s "[[TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time]]" list, and in 2007 it was listed as one of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''{{'}}s "100 Best TV Shows of All-''TIME.''" As of 2022, the show had received more than 305 Primetime [[Emmy Awards|Emmy Award]] nominations, the most received by any television program.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 12, 2018 |title=70th Emmy Facts & Figures |url=https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/70th-nominations-facts-figures-v2.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124150832/https://www.emmys.com/sites/default/files/Downloads/70th-nominations-facts-figures-v2.pdf |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |access-date=June 16, 2022 |website=[[Emmy Awards]] |publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |page=5}}</ref> The live aspect of the show has resulted in several controversies and acts of censorship, with mistakes and intentional acts of sabotage by performers and guests.

== History ==<!-- Note: this section is a shortened version of [[History of Saturday Night Live]]. Before adding to this section, please consider whether it may fit better there, or in the appropriate ''SNL'' season article. Not everything is worthy for this broad overview of the show's history. -->
{{main|History of Saturday Night Live|l1 = History of ''Saturday Night Live''}}

=== Development: 1974–1975 ===
Beginning in 1965, [[NBC]] [[network affiliate]]s broadcast reruns of ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]'' on Saturday or Sunday nights. In 1974, [[Johnny Carson]] petitioned to NBC executives for the weekend shows to be pulled and saved so they could be aired during weeknights, allowing him to take time off.{{Sfn|Hill|Weingrad|1986|p=7}}{{Sfn|Henry|Henry|2013|p=167}} In response, NBC president [[Herbert Schlosser]] approached the vice president of late-night programming, [[Dick Ebersol]], and asked him to create a show to fill the Saturday night time slot.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|pp=19–20}} Schlosser and Ebersol then approached [[Lorne Michaels]]. Over the next three weeks, Ebersol and Michaels developed the latter's idea for a variety show featuring [[high-concept]] comedy sketches, political satire, and music performances that would attract 18- to 34-year-old viewers.<ref name="ReporterMichaelsEmpire">{{Cite news |last=Wilson Hunt |first=Stacy |date=April 22, 2011 |title=A Rare Glimpse Inside the Empire of 'SNL's' Lorne Michaels |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-snls-lorne-michaels-became-179894/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124143349/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-snls-lorne-michaels-became-179894/ |archive-date=January 24, 2022}}</ref>{{Sfn|Hammill|2004|p=2008}} NBC decided to base the new show at their studios in [[30 Rockefeller Center]]. Michaels was given [[Studio 8H]], a converted radio studio that was home to NBC's election and [[Apollo program|Apollo]] moon landing coverage. It was revamped for the premiere at a cost of $250,000.<ref name="Vulture1975Original">{{cite web |last1=Greenfield |first1=Jeff |title=''New York'' Magazine's Original 1975 Review of ''Saturday Night Live'' |url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/02/New-york-magazine-original-review-saturday-night-live.html |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |access-date=August 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223043654/https://www.vulture.com/2015/02/New-york-magazine-original-review-saturday-night-live.html |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |date=February 11, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Lorne Michaels David Shankbone 2010.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Showrunner [[Lorne Michaels]] in 2010]]

By 1975, Michaels had assembled the show's initial cast, including [[Dan Aykroyd]], [[John Belushi]], [[Chevy Chase]], [[Jane Curtin]], [[Garrett Morris]], [[Laraine Newman]], [[Gilda Radner]], and [[George Coe]].<ref name="BusinessInsiderFullCast">{{cite web |last1=Shaw |first1=Gabbi |last2=Olito |first2=Frank |title=WHERE ARE THEY NOW: All 162 cast members in 'Saturday Night Live' history |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/where-are-they-now-snl-cast-members-2019-7 |website=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=August 21, 2024 |date=December 20, 2022}}</ref> The cast was nicknamed the "Not Ready for Prime-Time Players",{{Sfn|Marx|Sienkiewicz|Becker|2013|p=6}}<ref name="CastPTime">{{cite web|first=Todd S. |last=Purdum |title='Saturday Night Live' mocks politics with bipartisan gusto |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2011/04/snl-skewering-pols-for-35-years-053754 |website=[[Politico]] |date=April 4, 2011 |access-date=January 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105053717/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53754.html |archive-date=January 5, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="VultureLookingBack1975">{{cite web |last1=Atwater |first1=Carleton |title=Looking Back at the First Five Years of SNL |url=https://www.vulture.com/2010/12/looking-back-at-the-first-five-years-of-snl.html |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |access-date=August 21, 2024 |date=December 7, 2010 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035008/https://www.vulture.com/2010/12/looking-back-at-the-first-five-years-of-snl.html |url-status=live }}</ref> a term coined by show writer [[Herb Sargent]].{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=59}} Much of the talent pool involved in the inaugural season was recruited from ''[[The National Lampoon Radio Hour]]'',<ref name="LampoonMillions">{{cite web|title=The Lowest Form of Humor: How the National Lampoon Shaped the Way We Laugh Now|first=Teddy|last=Wayne|author-link=Teddy Wayne|date=October 29, 2013|work=[[The Millions]]|url=https://themillions.com/2013/10/the-lowest-form-of-humor-how-the-national-lampoon-shaped-the-way-we-laugh-now.html|access-date=August 21, 2024|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035009/https://themillions.com/2013/10/the-lowest-form-of-humor-how-the-national-lampoon-shaped-the-way-we-laugh-now.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYT2005Lampoon">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/03/arts/03tapp.html|title=National Lampoon Grows Up By Dumbing Down|author-link=Jake Tapper|first=Jake|last=Tapper|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 3, 2005|access-date=August 21, 2024|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035016/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/03/arts/national-lampoon-grows-up-by-dumbing-down.html|url-status=live}}</ref> including the original head writer, [[Michael O'Donoghue]].<ref name="VultureMichaelWriter">{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Megh |title=Saturday Night's Children: Michael O'Donoghue (1975) |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/11/saturday-nights-children-michael-odonoghue-1975.html |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |access-date=August 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319100938/https://www.vulture.com/2014/11/saturday-nights-children-michael-odonoghue-1975.html |archive-date=March 19, 2023 |date=November 4, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 1970s ===
''NBC's Saturday Night'' debuted on October 11, 1975,{{Sfn|Hammill|2004|p=2008}} with an episode featuring Carlin as host.<ref name="VarietyCarlinPremiere">{{cite web |title=Remembering Carlin on the "SNL" Premiere |url=https://variety.com/2008/tv/news/remembering-car-27929/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=August 21, 2024 |date=June 23, 2008 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035138/https://variety.com/2008/tv/news/remembering-car-27929/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The original title was used because the ''Saturday Night Live'' title was in use by ''[[Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell]]'' on rival network [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. After the cancellation of Cosell's show in 1976, NBC purchased the rights to the name and officially changed the show's title to ''Saturday Night Live'' at the start of the [[Saturday Night Live season 3|1977–1978 season]], its third.{{Sfn|Henry|Henry|2013|p=167}}<ref name="22ThingsInsider">{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Abby |last2=Clair |first2=Fiona |title=22 things you probably never knew about 'Saturday Night Live' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/saturday-night-live-fun-facts-2018-9 |website=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=August 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414123516/https://www.businessinsider.com/saturday-night-live-fun-facts-2018-9 |archive-date=April 14, 2024 |date=October 2, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SurprisingStoryTIME">{{cite magazine |last1=Rothman |first1=Lily |title=The Surprising Story Behind Saturday Night Live's Most Famous Line |url=https://time.com/3426553/saturday-night-live-history/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]] |access-date=August 19, 2024 |date=September 26, 2014 |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240812123013/https://time.com/3426553/saturday-night-live-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The cast was initially paid $750 per episode, and essentially lived at the offices, according to Michaels.<ref name="PeopleSNL1989">{{cite news |last1=Sheff-Cahan |first1=Vicki |last2=Schindehette |first2=Susan |last3=Park |first3=Jeannie |title='Saturday Night Live' ! |url=https://people.com/archive/cover-story-saturday-night-live-vol-32-no-13/ |access-date=August 22, 2024 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=September 25, 1989 |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821173003/https://people.com/archive/cover-story-saturday-night-live-vol-32-no-13/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="22ThingsInsider" /> The show found its footing by the fourth episode, hosted by [[Candice Bergen]], which featured the cast in most segments.{{sfn|Hill|Weingrad|1986|pp=96–97}} The show developed a [[cult following]],{{sfn|Hill|Weingrad|1986|pages=103,104,193}}{{sfn|Hammill|2004|p=2008}} and its humor was seen as refreshing and daring, in comparison to previous sketch and variety shows that would rarely deal with controversial topics and issues.{{Sfn|Kaplan|2014|pp=6–7}} Iconic characters during the show's first five seasons included Belushi's [[Saturday Night Live Samurai|samurai]], the [[Coneheads]] (Aykroyd, Curtin, Newman), and Radner's [[Roseanne Roseannadanna]].{{Sfn|Kaplan|2014|p=10}} Chase, the show's first breakout star, left in the middle of its second season to pursue a movie career — the first of many cast members to do so — and was replaced by [[Bill Murray]].

Drugs were a major problem during the show's first five years, which exacerbated existing tensions. Cocaine had become an "integral part of the working process" on ''SNL'' by the [[Saturday Night Live season 4|1978–1979 season]], according to Doug Hill and Jeff Weingrad.{{sfn|Hill|Weingrad|1986|p=322}} Aykroyd and Belushi left the show after the 1978–1979 season to make ''The Blues Brothers'',{{sfn|Hill|Weingrad|1986|pp=342–343}} and as the fifth season ended in 1980, Michaels asked executives to place the show on hiatus for a year in order to allow him time to pursue other projects.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=288}} Michaels suggested writers [[Al Franken]], [[Tom Davis (comedian)|Tom Davis]], and [[Jim Downey (comedian)|Jim Downey]] as his replacements; NBC president [[Fred Silverman]] disliked Franken and was infuriated by his Update routine in May 1980, called "[[A Limo for a Lame-O]]", that had critiqued Silverman's job performance.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|pp=178–182}} Unable to secure the deal that he wanted, Michaels chose to leave NBC, and [[Jean Doumanian]] was given his position.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|pp=183–184}} Almost every writer and cast member, including Michaels, left the show after the May 24, 1980, season finale.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|pp=185–186}}

=== 1980s ===
Doumanian's rapidly-assembled new cast faced immediate comparisons to the previous cast, and was not received favorably by critics or audiences.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|pp=192–193}} In a February 1981 episode, cast member [[Charles Rocket]] used the profanity "fuck" during a sketch.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=175}} Rocket later said he was trying to kill time before the show's close and had not meant to utter the word.{{Sfn|Hill|Weingrad|1986|pp=431–433}}<ref name="FBombsEW">{{cite magazine |last1=DeSantis |first1=Rachel |title=''Saturday Night Live'': A history of F-bombs |url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/02/06/saturday-night-live-f-word/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=July 31, 2024 |date=February 6, 2017 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035012/https://ew.com/tv/2017/02/06/saturday-night-live-f-word/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following this episode, Doumanian was dismissed after only ten months on the job.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=202}}<ref name="AVClubSeason6">{{cite web |last1=Rabin |first1=Nathan |title=How Bad Can It Be? Case File #23: ''Saturday Night Live''{{'}}s aborted 1980-81 season |url=https://www.avclub.com/how-bad-can-it-be-case-file-23-saturday-night-live-s-1798233191 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |access-date=August 23, 2024 |date=September 5, 2012 |archive-date=June 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627152157/https://www.avclub.com/how-bad-can-it-be-case-file-23-saturday-night-live-s-1798233191 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Although some executives suggested ''SNL'' be cancelled, the show received a reprieve, and [[Dick Ebersol]] was hired as producer. He worked quickly to revamp the show, eventually removing all of the new cast members aside from [[Eddie Murphy]] and [[Joe Piscopo]].{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|pp=204–205}} Ebersol's sketches leaned towards more accessible, broad comedy, which alienated some long-time fans, writers, and cast members.{{sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|pp=222-225}}{{sfn|Hill|Weingrad|1986|p=452}} His distaste for political humor led the show to largely avoid jokes about President [[Ronald Reagan]] during his time as showrunner.{{sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=270}} Under Ebersol's leadership, Murphy, who had been underused during Doumanian's tenure, rose to prominence with popular characters such as [[Mister Robinson's Neighborhood]] and [[Gumby]].{{Sfn|Kaplan|2014|p=12}} His success was a major factor in the show's resurgence,<ref name="Murphy1">{{cite magazine |last=Meaney |first=Jake |date=October 14, 2010 |title='Saturday Night Live: The Best of Eddie Murphy' Brings on Bursts of Genius |url=https://www.popmatters.com/132111-saturday-night-live-the-best-of-eddie-murphy-2496126149.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105130821/http://www.popmatters.com/review/132111-saturday-night-live-the-best-of-eddie-murphy |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |magazine=[[PopMatters]]}}</ref> though it created tensions within the cast.{{sfn|Hill|Weingrad|1986|pp=465–467}}{{refn|group=lower-alpha|Nolte was booked to host the show, but had cancelled just four days before showtime. Ebersol offered Murphy the chance to host, a move that Piscopo would perceive as a major slight. Piscopo would later claim that Ebersol used Murphy's success to divide the two erstwhile friends and play them against one another.{{sfn|Hill|Weingrad|1986|pp=465–467}} Murphy's star had exploded, and he left ''SNL'' to concentrate on his film career in early 1984.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=236}}}}

In a break with tradition, producers hired established comedians such as [[Billy Crystal]] and [[Martin Short]] for the [[Saturday Night Live season 10|1984–1985 season]].{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=255}} Though this season was considered one of the series' funniest, it diverged significantly from Michaels' innovative approach.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=286}}{{sfn|Hill|Weingrad|1986|p=474}} Like Michaels before him, Ebersol informed NBC that he would only return if the show took a hiatus to recast and rebuild, and diverge significantly from the established live format.<ref name="LostAndFound80s">{{cite AV media |date=November 13, 2005 |title=Saturday Night Live in the '80s: Lost and Found |type=Documentary |url=https://kaltura.uga.edu/media/t/1_j0lidhjh/31261611 |access-date=August 25, 2024 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035107/https://kaltura.uga.edu/media/t/1_j0lidhjh/31261611 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="VultureLookingBack8085">{{cite web |last1=Atwater |first1=Carleton |title=Looking Back at Saturday Night Live, 1980-1985 |url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/01/looking-back-at-saturday-night-live-1980-1985.html |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |access-date=August 20, 2024 |date=January 6, 2011 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035139/https://www.vulture.com/2011/01/looking-back-at-saturday-night-live-1980-1985.html |url-status=live }}</ref> NBC rejected these requests and instead decided to approach Michaels to return as producer.<ref name="LostAndFound80s" />

Michaels returned for the [[Saturday Night Live season 11|1985–1986 season]]; the show was again recast, with Michaels borrowing Ebersol's idea to seek out established actors.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=288}} Writers struggled with the cast,{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|pp=293–294}} and Michaels cleaned house again for the [[Saturday Night Live season 12|1986–1987 season]], seeking unknown talent such as [[Dana Carvey]] and [[Phil Hartman]] instead of known names.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|pp=308–313}} This new cast was successful at reviving the show's popularity in the eyes of critics and audiences.<ref name="Vulture8Transitions">{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Bradford |title=The 8 Biggest Transitional Seasons in 'SNL' History |url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/09/the-8-biggest-transitional-seasons-in-snl-history.html |website=[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]] |access-date=August 24, 2024 |date=September 27, 2013 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035013/https://www.vulture.com/2013/09/the-8-biggest-transitional-seasons-in-snl-history.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 1990s ===
In the early 1990s, much of this core cast began to leave the show, and younger performers such as [[Chris Farley]] and [[Adam Sandler]] began to be promoted to repertory status.{{Sfn|Kaplan|2014|p=14}} Some of these cast members, such as Sandler, Farley, [[Rob Schneider]], [[David Spade]] and [[Chris Rock]], would come to be known as the "Bad Boys of ''SNL''" for their outrageous comedy style.<ref name="RingerBadBoys">{{Cite web |last=Siegel |first=Alan |date=September 11, 2019 |title=Comedy in the '90s, Part 3: The Bad Boys of 'Saturday Night Live' |url=https://www.theringer.com/tv/2019/9/11/20857609/adam-sandler-chris-farley-90s-comedies-billy-madison-tommy-boy-snl |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]] |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913202903/https://www.theringer.com/tv/2019/9/11/20857609/adam-sandler-chris-farley-90s-comedies-billy-madison-tommy-boy-snl |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="DailyBeastLegends">{{Cite news |last=Fallon |first=Kevin |date=June 14, 2015 |title=The Secrets of 'Saturday Night Live': Where Comedy Legends Are Born |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-secrets-of-saturday-night-live-where-comedy-legends-are-born |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605074040/https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-secrets-of-saturday-night-live-where-comedy-legends-are-born |archive-date=June 5, 2017 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |work=[[The Daily Beast]]}}</ref> Afraid of cast members leaving for film careers, Michaels had overcrowded the cast, causing a divide between the veteran members and the new, younger talent. This led to increased competition for the show's limited screen time, and an increasing reliance on "younger", less subtle humor.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=360}}

The show lost Carvey and Hartman, two of its biggest stars, between 1992 and 1994. Wanting to increase ''SNL''{{'}}s ratings and profitability, NBC West Coast president [[Don Ohlmeyer]] and other executives began to actively interfere in the show, recommending that new stars such as Chris Farley and Adam Sandler be fired and critiquing the costly nature of performing the show live.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|pp=415–416}} Criticism of the show's writing increased during this period, which reached its peak by the [[Saturday Night Live season 20|1994–1995 season]], which is considered one of the series' worst. A widely publicized profile of the show in ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' during this period was highly critical of the show's humor, cast, and backstage dysfunction.<ref name="NineLivesNewYorker">{{cite magazine |last1=Crouch |first1=Ian |title=The Nine Lives of "Saturday Night Live" |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/nine-lives-saturday-night-live |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |access-date=August 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426154054/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/nine-lives-saturday-night-live |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |date=October 21, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Season20Takedown">{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Chris |title=How 'Saturday Night Live' Became a Grim Joke |url=https://nymag.com/arts/tv/features/47548/ |website=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |access-date=August 26, 2024 |date=March 13, 1995}}</ref>

The show's cast was largely overhauled for the [[Saturday Night Live season 21|1995–1996 season]] with names such as [[Will Ferrell]] and [[Cheri Oteri]],<ref name="APShakeup1995">{{Cite news |date=September 27, 1995 |title=SNL new and improved |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o4AnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-Y4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5660%2C4570944 |access-date=May 28, 2024 |work=[[Daily Record (Washington)|Ellensburg Daily Record]] |agency=[[The Associated Press]] |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035654/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=o4AnAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-Y4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5660%2C4570944 |url-status=live }}</ref> which was successful at revitalizing the show.<ref name="90sTVDoc1">{{cite AV media |date=2007 |title=Saturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture Nation |type=Television production}}</ref> The show faced new competition during this period in the form of [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]{{'}}s sketch comedy show ''[[Mad TV]]'', which aired a half hour earlier than ''SNL''<ref name="MadTVClobber">{{Cite news |last=Boedeker |first=Hal |date=October 14, 1995 |title='Mad TV' Clobbers 'SNL' |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1995/10/14/mad-tv-clobbers-snl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007182146/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-10-14/lifestyle/9510130058_1_mad-hbo-pulp-fiction |archive-date=October 7, 2015 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]]}}</ref> and featured a more diverse cast.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Funk |first=Tim |date=July 21, 1995 |title='Saturday Night Dead' to be renovated |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wNFPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ywcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4500%2C2391905 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[Ocala Star-Banner]] |agency=Knight-Ridder Newspapers |archive-date=June 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607040124/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wNFPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ywcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4500,2391905 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2000s ===
The [[Saturday Night Live season 26|2000–2001 season]] was notable for its well-received spoofing of that year's [[2000 United States presidential election|presidential campaign]] between [[Al Gore]] and [[George W. Bush]].<ref name="TapedCandidates2000">{{cite news |last1=de Moraes |first1=Lisa |title=Taped From New York, It's the Candidates on 'Saturday Night' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2000/11/03/taped-from-new-york-its-the-candidates-on-saturday-night/ec1e6d52-306b-4ae2-9ebe-fe0c528f606d/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 2, 2000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240529012547/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2000/11/03/taped-from-new-york-its-the-candidates-on-saturday-night/ec1e6d52-306b-4ae2-9ebe-fe0c528f606d/ |archive-date=May 29, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> The show's [[New York City]] cast and crew were highly affected by the [[September 11 attacks]] in 2001, and returned on September 29 with an acclaimed appearance by [[Rudy Giuliani]]. Political humor was reduced for the following seasons.<ref name="RollingStoneSep11">{{cite magazine |last1=Dickson |first1=EJ |last2=Greene |first2=Andy |title='In Bad Times, People Turn to the Show': Inside the 9/11 Episode of 'SNL' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/saturday-night-live-9-11-oral-history-1221336/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=August 20, 2024 |date=September 8, 2021 |archive-date=September 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911164232/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/saturday-night-live-9-11-oral-history-1221336/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The show switched to [[high-definition television|high-definition]] broadcasting for the [[Saturday Night Live season 31|2005–2006 season]].<ref name="HighDefNewYorkPost">{{cite web |last1=Kaplan |first1=Don |title='SNL' Goes High-Def |url=https://nypost.com/2005/04/27/snl-goes-high-def/ |website=[[New York Post]] |access-date=August 27, 2024 |date=April 27, 2005 |archive-date=February 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217000519/http://nypost.com/2005/04/27/snl-goes-high-def/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Before the start of the [[Saturday Night Live season 32|2006–2007 season]], the show suffered budget cuts that led to a smaller cast.<ref name=BudgetCuts2006>{{cite news|last1=Carter|first1=Bill|title=Bowing to Budget Cuts at NBC, 'Saturday Night Live' Pares Five Performers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/21/arts/television/21snl.html|access-date=April 19, 2015|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 21, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419120741/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/21/arts/television/21snl.html|archive-date=April 19, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Saturday Night Live season 33|following season]] was also cut short by the [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]], which led to several cancelled episodes.<ref name="RyzikStrikeNYT">{{Cite news |last=Ryzik |first=Melena |date=November 19, 2007 |title=Strike or No Strike, for a Select Few, Saturday Night Was Live |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/arts/television/19snl.html |access-date=May 14, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230404132839/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/19/arts/television/19snl.html |url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Lorne Michaels and the cast of Saturday Night Live at the 68th Annual Peabody Awards for Political Satire 2008.jpg|thumb|Lorne Michaels and some of the ''SNL'' cast at the 68th Annual [[Peabody Awards]] for Political Satire in 2008. From left to right: [[Fred Armisen]], [[Amy Poehler]], Michaels, [[Seth Meyers]], and [[Jason Sudeikis]].]]

[[Tina Fey]], who was a cast member and head writer from 1997 to 2006, later returned to the show during the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential election]] for several critically acclaimed guest appearances as vice presidential candidate [[Sarah Palin]].<ref name="PalinFalinTIME">{{cite magazine |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2008/09/14/tina_fey_arrives_on_her_dog_sl/ |title=Fey's Palin? Not Failin' |access-date=August 21, 2024 |last1=Poniewozik |first1=James |date=September 14, 2008 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]] |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809080338/https://entertainment.time.com/2008/09/14/tina_fey_arrives_on_her_dog_sl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Writer [[Robert Smigel]] later said it was the show's "biggest moment since the 70s", and Michaels observed that it made Fey a "huge star" and that "you could see perception changing completely".{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|pp=586–589}} Armisen played [[Barack Obama]] from 2008 to 2012, following which cast member [[Jay Pharoah]] assumed the impression.<ref name="ObamaProblemVF">{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Joanna |title=Eight Years Later, ''S.N.L.'' Still Has an Obama Problem |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/08/saturday-night-live-jay-pharoah-barack-obama |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date=August 24, 2024 |date=August 9, 2016 |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824124757/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/08/saturday-night-live-jay-pharoah-barack-obama |url-status=live }}</ref>

The show began to rely more on pre-recorded material and videos more than it ever had before during this period,{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=667}} to the extent that some commentators said it had sometimes outshined live material on the show.<ref name="VulturePreEvolution">{{cite web |last1=Parton |first1=Brad |title=The Evolution of 'SNL's Pretaped Sketches and Digital Shorts |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/01/the-evolution-of-snls-pretaped-sketches-and-digital-shorts.html |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |access-date=August 24, 2024 |date=January 23, 2014}}</ref><ref name="AtlanticPreRecorded">{{cite web |last1=Wicks |first1=Amanda |title=''SNL'' Is Excelling in One Particular Way |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/01/snl-michael-b-jordan-host/672890/ |website=[[The Atlantic]] |access-date=24 August 2024 |date=January 29, 2023 |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824124758/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2023/01/snl-michael-b-jordan-host/672890/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="SlatePDDFuture">{{cite web |last1=Boyle |first1=Michael |title=Why Please Don't Destroy's Warp-Speed Absurdity Is the Future of ''Saturday Night Live'' |url=https://slate.com/culture/2022/01/saturday-night-live-please-dont-destroy-lorne-michaels.html |website=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |access-date=August 24, 2024 |date=January 22, 2022 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035523/https://slate.com/culture/2022/01/saturday-night-live-please-dont-destroy-lorne-michaels.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Taped material significantly increased in the mid-2000s with ''SNL'' Digital Shorts by [[The Lonely Island]], and continued into the following years with videos by Good Neighbor and [[Please Don't Destroy]].<ref name="NYMagLonely">{{cite web |title=The Influentials: TV and Radio |url=https://nymag.com/news/features/influentials/16907/ |website=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |access-date=August 22, 2024 |date=May 3, 2006 |archive-date=September 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907055835/https://nymag.com/news/features/influentials/16907/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="VultureGoodNeighbor">{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Bradford |title=A Video Guide to Good Neighbor's Pre-'SNL' Years |url=https://www.vulture.com/2013/08/good-neighbor-videolist.html |website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |access-date=August 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108175005/https://www.vulture.com/2013/08/good-neighbor-videolist.html |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |date=August 26, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abramovitch |first=Seth |date=2022-05-19 |title=How 'Saturday Night Live' Breakout Please Don't Destroy Became Show's Viral Weapon |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/saturday-night-live-please-dont-destory-sketches-1235146725/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512052214/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/saturday-night-live-please-dont-destory-sketches-1235146725/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2010s ===
The cast continued to evolve significantly into the 2010s as several longtime cast members such as [[Bill Hader]] and [[Kristen Wiig]] left the series. The [[Saturday Night Live season 39|2013–2014 season]] saw the hiring of seven new cast members in a significant overhaul, including [[Beck Bennett]], [[Kyle Mooney]], and [[Sasheer Zamata]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=2022-09-30 |title=Breaking Down 'SNL's' Biggest Cast Overhaul in a Generation |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/snl-cast-overhaul-numbers-1235230880/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> Longtime head writer and cast member [[Seth Meyers]] also exited midway through that season, and was replaced by fellow writer [[Colin Jost]] in the ''[[Weekend Update]]'' segment.<ref name="JostReplacesMeyersEW">{{cite magazine |last1=Snetiker |first1=Marc |title='SNL': Colin Jost to replace Seth Meyers as 'Weekend Update' co-anchor |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/01/23/snl-weekend-update-anchor-colin-jost/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=November 27, 2024 |date=August 4, 2017}}</ref>

The show [[Saturday Night Live parodies of Donald Trump|frequently parodied]] [[Donald Trump]] in and around his [[First presidency of Donald Trump|first presidency]]; an ongoing impression by actor [[Alec Baldwin]] led to a significant increase in ratings and a "shot of relevance" for the show, according to ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]''.<ref name="ReporterBaldwinTrumpDebut">{{cite web |last1=Konerman |first1=Jennifer |title=Alec Baldwin Debuts as 'SNL's' Trump: "I Have the Best Judgment" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/snl-watch-alec-baldwin-make-933651/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=August 24, 2024 |date=October 1, 2016 |archive-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824151903/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/snl-watch-alec-baldwin-make-933651/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="VanityFairTrumpDone">{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Joanna |title=With Trump Done, Is ''Saturday Night Live'' Actually Funny Again? |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/11/saturday-night-live-after-trump-future-of-comedy |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607035753/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/11/saturday-night-live-after-trump-future-of-comedy |archive-date=June 7, 2023 |date=November 9, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Trump disliked Baldwin's impression, [[Tweet (social media)|tweeting]] in 2019 that the [[Federal Election Commission]] or the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) should look into stopping ''SNL'' from "knocking the same person (me), over & over, without so much of a mention of 'the other side.'" In 2021, sources close to the Trump White House told ''[[The Daily Beast]]'' that in 2019, Trump repeatedly asked his advisers and lawyers to stop negative portrayals of him on ''SNL'' and other shows, such as ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'', through the interference of the FCC or the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Levin |first=Bess |date=2021-06-22 |title=Of Course Trump Tried to Get the Justice Department to Stop SNL From Making Fun of Him |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/06/donald-trump-snl-doj |access-date=2024-11-14 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=2021-06-22 |title=Donald Trump Reportedly Wanted Justice Department, FCC to Make 'SNL' Stop Mocking Him |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/donald-trump-asked-doj-fcc-snl-mocking-him-1234646161/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, [[James Austin Johnson]] assumed the Trump impression from Baldwin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-20 |title=Alec Baldwin returns to "Saturday Night Live" for first time since "Rust" case dismissal - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alec-baldwin-return-saturday-night-live/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 2020s ===
Due to the [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on television in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]], ''SNL''{{'}}s [[Saturday Night Live season 45|2019–2020 season]] was indefinitely halted on March 16, 2020.<ref name="VulturePostponeCovid">{{Cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/snl-postponed-coronavirus.html |last=Wright |first=Megh |title=''SNL'' to Suspend Production Due to the Coronavirus |work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |date=March 16, 2020 |access-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827100724/https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/snl-postponed-coronavirus.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The season was later resumed in April with three remotely produced episodes labelled ''[[Saturday Night Live at Home]]'',<ref name="VarietyCovidAtHome">{{cite web |last1=Steinberg |first1=Brian |title='Saturday Night Live' Charts Return Amid Coronavirus Pandemic |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/saturday-night-live-return-coronavirus-1234576054/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=August 27, 2024 |date=April 9, 2020 |archive-date=August 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827100724/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/saturday-night-live-return-coronavirus-1234576054/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the show returned to Studio 8H in October 2020.<ref name="DeadlineReturn2020">{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title='Saturday Night Live' To Return To Studio 8H In October |url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/saturday-night-live-to-return-to-studio-8h-in-october-1234574549/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] |access-date=August 29, 2024 |date=September 10, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911163841/https://deadline.com/2020/09/saturday-night-live-to-return-to-studio-8h-in-october-1234574549/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After the [[Saturday Night Live season 47|2021–2022 season]], many longtime cast members left the show in a major cast overhaul, including [[Aidy Bryant]], [[Kate McKinnon]], and [[Pete Davidson]];<ref name=":3" /> Michaels said that the pandemic had led to some cast members staying with the show for longer than they may have otherwise.<ref>{{cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2022-09-12 |title='SNL': Lorne Michaels Addresses Season 48 Cast Changes, Reveals There Will Be At Least Four New Castmembers |url=https://deadline.com/2022/09/snl-lorne-michaels-cast-changes-at-least-4-new-stars-1235116596/ |accessdate=2022-09-13 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>

In January 2024, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' said that "speculation [had] been rampant for years" that Michaels would retire from the series after its [[Saturday Night Live season 50|fiftieth season]], premiering in 2024.<ref name="VarietyFeySuccessor">{{cite web |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |title='SNL' Without Lorne Michaels? "It Could Easily be Tina Fey," Creator Says |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/saturday-night-live-lorne-michaels-tina-fey-1235790798/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=August 21, 2024 |date=January 17, 2024 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035530/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/saturday-night-live-lorne-michaels-tina-fey-1235790798/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Michaels told ''[[Entertainment Tonight]]'' that month that former head writer and cast member [[Tina Fey]] could "easily" be his successor, were he to step down, but said he had not made a decision yet at that point. Michaels has worked with Fey several times since her ''SNL'' tenure ended, including on ''[[30 Rock]]''.<ref name="ETMichaelsRetire">{{cite web |last1=Sloop |first1=Hope |title=Why Adam Sandler Does Not Think Lorne Michaels Is Retiring From 'Saturday Night Live' Yet (Exclusive) |url=https://www.etonline.com/why-adam-sandler-does-not-think-lorne-michaels-is-retiring-from-saturday-night-live-yet-exclusive |website=[[Entertainment Tonight]] |access-date=August 21, 2024 |date=February 27, 2024}}</ref> Michaels earlier said in 2021 that the show's fiftieth anniversary would be "a really good time to leave".<ref name="EWMichaelsRetire">{{cite magazine |last1=Brathwaite |first1=Lester |title=Lorne Michaels eyeing retirement from ''SNL'' at show's 50th anniversary — in 3 years |url=https://ew.com/tv/lorne-michaels-retiring-from-snl/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=August 21, 2024 |date=December 20, 2021 |archive-date=August 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818050626/https://ew.com/tv/lorne-michaels-retiring-from-snl/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kenan Thompson]], the show's longest-serving cast member, speculated in 2022 that ''SNL'' may come to an end altogether after its fiftieth season, saying that it could make financial sense for NBC.<ref name="VanityFairThompsonEnding">{{cite web |last1=Murphy |first1=Chris |title=Kenan Thompson Thinks Ending ''SNL'' at 50 "Might Not Be a Bad Idea" |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/kenan-thompson-thinks-ending-snl-at-50-might-not-be-a-bad-idea |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date=August 21, 2024 |date=August 1, 2022 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035614/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/kenan-thompson-thinks-ending-snl-at-50-might-not-be-a-bad-idea |url-status=live }}</ref> However, in an interview with ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' in September 2024, Michaels denied that he was retiring at the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Lacey |date=2024-09-19 |title='SNL' Turns 50. Now What? Lorne Michaels, Colin Jost and Michael Che on Election Insanity, Succession Plans and Trying to Make America Funny Again |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/snl-interview-trump-jokes-2024-election-lorne-michaels-future-1236005680/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

A three-hour prime-time live broadcast to celebrate the series' fiftieth anniversary was aired on February 16, 2025. The writers included prior cast members Tina Fey, [[Jim Downey (comedian)|Jim Downey]], [[Paula Pell]], [[Seth Meyers]], and [[John Mulaney]]. The show started with a musical cold open by [[Paul Simon]] and [[Sabrina Carpenter]] and the SNL Monologue by [[Steve Martin]].<ref name="Reporter50thDate">{{cite web |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |date=May 10, 2024 |title='SNL' to Mark 50th Anniversary With a Live Primetime Special (on a Sunday) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/snl-50th-anniversary-special-date-1235895917/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910032454/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/snl-50th-anniversary-special-date-1235895917/ |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |access-date=August 25, 2024 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Berkowitz |first=Joe |date=2025-02-17 |title=SNL50 Recap: This One's For the Millennials |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/snl50-recap-saturday-night-live-anniversary-special-review-best-sketches.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Vulture |language=en}}</ref>

==Cast and crew==
===Cast===
{{Main|List of Saturday Night Live cast members|l1=List of ''Saturday Night Live'' cast members}}Those selected to join the cast of ''SNL'' are normally already accomplished performers, recruited from improvisational comedy groups such as [[The Groundlings]] (Newman, Hartman,{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=325}} [[Will Ferrell]], [[Jon Lovitz]], [[Kristen Wiig]]<ref name="CastWiig1">{{cite news |last=Sneider |first=Jeff |date=February 28, 2012 |title='Descendants' scribes sell pitch to Indian Paintbrush |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/descendants-scribes-sell-pitch-to-paintbrush-1118050850/ |access-date=January 2, 2022 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035531/https://variety.com/2012/film/news/descendants-scribes-sell-pitch-to-paintbrush-1118050850/ |url-status=live }}</ref>) and [[The Second City]] (Aykroyd, Farley, [[Tina Fey]],<ref name="FeySC">{{cite news |last=Dunn |first=Jancee |date=April 2008 |title=Tina Fey: Funny Girl |url=http://www.rd.com/family/tina-fey-interview/2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518162326/http://www.rd.com/family/tina-fey-interview/2/ |archive-date=May 18, 2012 |access-date=January 7, 2012 |work=[[Reader's Digest]] |publisher=[[The Reader's Digest Association]]}}</ref> [[Tim Meadows]]), or established stand-up comedians (Carvey, Sandler, Macdonald, [[Chris Rock]]), who already possess the training or experience necessary for ''SNL''.<ref name="CastCasting">{{cite web |title=SNL FAQ |url=http://www.broadwayvideo.com/snl-faq/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516182146/http://www.broadwayvideo.com/snl-faq/ |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |access-date=January 1, 2012 |publisher=Broadway Video}}</ref> The cast is divided into two tiers: the more established group of repertory players; and newer, unproven cast members known as featured players, who may eventually be promoted to the repertory stable.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-19 |title=When 'Saturday Night Live' briefly had three cast groups |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/saturday-night-live-three-cast-groups/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=faroutmagazine.co.uk |language=en-US |archive-date=June 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603070245/https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/saturday-night-live-three-cast-groups/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Of the many roles available in the show, one of the longest-running and most coveted is being the host of ''[[Weekend Update]]'', a segment featuring one or two hosts, who get substantial screen time performing as themselves. Many of the ''Weekend Update'' hosts have gone on to find greater success outside the show, including [[Dennis Miller]],<ref name="EsquireUpdateChange">{{cite web |last1=Bort |first1=Ryan |title=Why ''SNL''{{'}}s ''Weekend Update'' Anchor Change Is Brilliant |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a23798/michael-che-weekend-update-snl/ |website=Esquire |access-date=August 29, 2024 |date=September 12, 2014}}</ref> [[Seth Meyers]],<ref name="EsquireUpdateChange" /> [[Norm Macdonald]],<ref name="EsquireUpdateChange" /> [[Colin Quinn]],<ref name="EsquireUpdateChange" /> and [[Jimmy Fallon]].

[[File:SNL Original Cast.jpg|thumb|The original 1975 cast, from left to right: [[Laraine Newman]], [[John Belushi]], [[Jane Curtin]], [[Gilda Radner]], [[Dan Aykroyd]], [[Garrett Morris]], and [[Chevy Chase]]]]
As of Season 51, ''SNL'' has featured 172 cast members including, besides the above-mentioned players, [[Rachel Dratch]], [[Amy Poehler]], Chris Rock, [[David Spade]], [[Will Forte]], [[Julia Louis-Dreyfus]], [[Tracy Morgan]], [[Chris Parnell]], [[Maya Rudolph]], [[Andy Samberg]], [[Molly Shannon]], and many others.<ref name=":2">[http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/credits/repertory-player/kenan-thompson Kenan Thompson biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035533/https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/credits/repertory-player/kenan-thompson |date=September 19, 2024 }} NBC</ref> [[Kenan Thompson]] is the show's longest-serving cast member.<ref name="ThompsonNearlyQuit">{{cite web |last1=Kang |first1=Esther |last2=Tagen-Dye |first2=Carly |title=Kenan Thompson Nearly Quit ''Saturday Night Live'' After Receiving 'Zero Air Time' for His 'Rookie Mistakes' |url=https://people.com/kenan-thompson-nearly-quit-saturday-night-live-zero-air-time-rookie-mistakes-8410659 |website=People |access-date=August 19, 2024 |date=December 5, 2023}}</ref> Currently, the cast consists of 17 members, with 10 repertory players and 7 featured players:
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |2025–26 season cast<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shanfeld |first1=Ethan |title='SNL' Finalizes Season 51 Cast: Bowen Yang, Chloe Fineman and More Return; Colin Jost and Michael Che Back for 'Weekend Update' |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/snl-cast-season-51-bowen-yang-colin-jost-1236511776/ |access-date=September 8, 2025 |work=Variety |date=September 8, 2025}}</ref>
|-
!Repertory players
!Featured players
|-
|
*[[Michael Che]] (joined [[Saturday Night Live (season 40)|2014]])<sup>‡</sup>
*[[Mikey Day]] (joined [[Saturday Night Live (season 42)|2016]])
*[[Andrew Dismukes]] (joined [[Saturday Night Live (season 46)|2020]])
*[[Chloe Fineman]] (joined [[Saturday Night Live (season 45)|2019]])
*[[Marcello Hernández]] (joined [[Saturday Night Live (season 48)|2022]])
*[[James Austin Johnson]] (joined [[Saturday Night Live (season 47)|2021]])
*[[Colin Jost]] (joined [[Saturday Night Live season 39|2014]])<sup>‡</sup>
*[[Sarah Sherman]] (joined 2021)
*[[Kenan Thompson]] (joined [[Saturday Night Live (season 29)|2003]])
*[[Bowen Yang]] (joined 2019)
|
*[[Tommy Brennan]] (joined [[Saturday Night Live (season 51)|2025]])
*[[Jeremy Culhane]] (joined 2025)
*[[Ben Marshall (comedian)|Ben Marshall]] (joined 2025)
*[[Ashley Padilla]] (joined [[Saturday Night Live (season 50)|2024]])
*[[Kam Patterson]] (joined 2025)
*[[Veronika Slowikowska]] (joined 2025)
*[[Jane Wickline]] (joined 2024)
|-
| colspan="2" |<sup>‡</sup> denotes ''[[Weekend Update]]'' anchor
|}

===Contracts and salaries===
{{update section|date=October 2024}}
The cast were often contracted from anywhere between five and six years to the show,<ref name="CastContract2">{{cite news| first=Philiana| last=Ng| title=Jimmy Fallon Reveals Secrets Behind the Best 'Late Night' Sketches| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jimmy-fallon-reveals-secrets-best-167001| work=The Hollywood Reporter| date=March 12, 2010| access-date=January 24, 2012| archive-date=March 15, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315190835/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jimmy-fallon-reveals-secrets-best-167001| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CastContract">{{cite news|first=Peter |last=Bogdanovich |author-link=Peter Bogdanovich |title=SNL's Killer Contract |work=New York Observer |url=http://www.observer.com/1999/snl-s-killer-contract |date=August 16, 1999 |access-date=January 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119043618/http://www.observer.com/1999/snl-s-killer-contract |archive-date=January 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but starting with the 1999–2000 season, new hires were tied to a rewritten contract that allowed NBC to take a cast member in at least their second year and put them in an NBC sitcom. Cast members are given the option of rejecting the first two sitcom offers but must accept the third offer, with the sitcom contract length dictated by NBC and potentially lasting up to six years.<ref name="CastContract" /> The move drew criticism from talent agents and managers who believed a cast member could be locked into a contract with NBC for twelve years—six on ''SNL'' and then six on a sitcom. The contract also optioned the cast member for three feature films produced by SNL Films, a company owned by NBC, [[Paramount Pictures]], and Michaels. The new contracts were reportedly developed after many previously unknown cast members, such as [[Mike Myers]] and [[Adam Sandler]], gained fame on ''SNL'' only to leave and make money for other studios.<ref name="CastContract" /> In a 2010 interview, Wiig was reported to be contracted to ''SNL'' for a total of seven years.<ref name="CastContract3">{{cite news | first=Olivia | last=Barker | title=Kristen Wiig of 'SNL' helps save the day in 'MacGruber' | url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2010-05-21-kristenwiig21_ST_N.htm | work=USA Today | date=May 21, 2010 | access-date=January 24, 2012 | archive-date=February 1, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201144630/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2010-05-21-kristenwiig21_ST_N.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> The contracts also contain a network option that allows NBC to remove a cast member at any time.{{Sfn|Mohr|2004|p=81}} In the first season of the show the cast was paid $750 per episode, rising to $2,000 by season two, and $4,000 by season four.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=118}} By the late 1990s, new cast members received a salary between $5,000<ref name="CastContract" /> and $5,500 per episode, increasing to $6,000 in the second year and up to $12,500 for a cast member in their fifth year. Performers could earn an additional $1,500 per episode for writing a sketch that made it to air.{{Sfn|Mohr|2004|p=81}} In 2001, Ferrell became the highest-paid cast member, being paid $350,000 per season (approximately $17,500 per episode).<ref name="CastContractFerrell">{{cite web|url=http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/celebrity/package.jsp?name=celebrity/content/bsf_carreyvsfarrell |title=War of the Funnymen |publisher=Netscape |access-date=September 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003054217/http://webcenters.netscape.compuserve.com/celebrity/package.jsp?name=celebrity%2Fcontent%2Fbsf_carreyvsfarrell |archive-date=October 3, 2010 }}</ref> According to cast member [[Pete Davidson]], his starting salary in 2014 was approximately $3,000 per episode.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zee |first1=Michaela |title=Pete Davidson Says 'SNL' Paid 'Like Three Grand an Episode' at the Start; Jason Sudeikis Adds: 'You Don't Make Enough Money' for 'Big Purchases' |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/pete-davidson-snl-pay-starting-salary-1236235955/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=2024-12-04}}</ref>

===Writers===
{{Main|List of Saturday Night Live writers|l1=List of ''Saturday Night Live'' writers}}As of the [[Saturday Night Live season 48|2022–23]] season, Kent Sublette, [[Alison Gates]], and [[Streeter Seidell]] are the show's co-head writers.<ref name="S48E1">{{cite episode|title=Miles Teller/Kendrick Lamar|series=Saturday Night Live|season=48|number=1|network=NBC|date=October 1, 2022|time=Closing credits}}</ref>

[[Seth Meyers]] became a co-head writer in the [[Saturday Night Live season 31|2005–06]] season, became the single head writer from [[Saturday Night Live season 34|2008]] to [[Saturday Night Live season 37|2012]], and then left in [[Saturday Night Live season 39|2014]]. Current ''Update'' anchor [[Colin Jost]] has himself been a writer since 2005 and was one of the head writers from [[Saturday Night Live season 38|2012]] to [[SNL 40|2015]] before being renamed head writer, from [[Saturday Night Live season 43|2017]] until [[Saturday Night Live season 47|2022]]. Current Update co-anchor [[Michael Che]] has been a writer since [[Saturday Night Live season 39|2013]]. He temporarily left the show in the summer of 2014, but came back that fall to anchor Update and reclaimed his status as a writer, then serving as a co-head writer alongside Jost for five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/snl-michael-che-colin-jost-co-head-writers-1202638276/|title=' SNL' Names Michael Che, Colin Jost Co-Head Writers|first=Joe|last=Otterson|date=December 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/snl-adds-3-new-writers-for-season-47.html|title=SNL Adds 3 New Writers for Season 47|work=Vulture|first=Megh|last=Wright|accessdate=February 27, 2022|date=February 27, 2022}}</ref> The Weekend Update segment has its own dedicated team of writers led by head writer Pete Schultz (who has been writing for the segment since [[Saturday Night Live season 37|2011]]; and has been the segment's head writer since 2014)<ref name=KaninHiring>{{cite web|last1=Frucci|first1=Adam|title=SNL Rounds Out Its New Season Hires with Writers Zach Kanin and Peter Schultz|url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/09/snl-rounds-out-its-new-season-hires-with-writers-zach-kanin-and-peter-schultz.html|website=Vulture|access-date=January 10, 2022|date=September 20, 2011}}</ref><ref name="S40E01">{{cite episode|title=Chris Pratt/Ariana Grande|series=Saturday Night Live|season=40|number=1|network=NBC|date=September 27, 2014|time=Closing credits}}</ref>

The segment's previous head writer was Alex Baze (who wrote for the segment from [[Saturday Night Live season 30|2004]] to [[Saturday Night Live season 39|2014]], and was the head writer of the segment starting with the 2011–12 season, until his aforementioned 2014 departure).<ref name="2013SepCasting">{{cite news|first=Seth|last=Abramovitch | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/snl-announces-hire-6-new-629845 |title='SNL' Announces Hire of 6 New Castmembers| work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 16, 2013 |access-date=May 8, 2016| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130919073446/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/snl-announces-hire-6-new-629845 |archive-date=September 19, 2013 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AlexBaze1">{{cite web |url=http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/backstage/ |title=SNL Backstage |publisher=NBC |website=Saturday Night Live |date=December 17, 2011 |access-date=December 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111211044114/http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/backstage/ |archive-date=December 11, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="WritersAbelesInt1">{{cite news|first=Megh |last=Wright |title=Behind SNL's Weekend Update: Interview with Writer/Producer Doug Abeles |url=http://gawker.com/5632852/behind-snls-weekend-update-interview-with-writerproducer-doug-abeles?tag=television |work=[[Gawker]] |date=September 8, 2010 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426003945/http://gawker.com/5632852/behind-snls-weekend-update-interview-with-writerproducer-doug-abeles?tag=television |url-status=live |archive-date=April 26, 2013}}</ref> Scenes on Weekend Update that involve members of the cast acting in-character alongside the host are often written by staff writers outside the dedicated Weekend Update team, who know those characters better.<ref name="WritersAbelesInt1" />

''SNL'' writers are often also performers or experienced in writing and improvisational comedy. Many are hired from similar backgrounds such as The Groundlings, Second City, [[Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre]], and [[IO Theater|ImprovOlympic]].<ref name="CastHistory">{{cite web|first=Richard |last=Keller |title=The Not Ready for Prime-Time Players who made it to the big time: 1975–1985 |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2008/04/17/the-not-ready-for-prime-time-players-who-made-it-to-the-big-time/ |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=April 17, 2008 |access-date=January 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803073635/http://www.aoltv.com/2008/04/17/the-not-ready-for-prime-time-players-who-made-it-to-the-big-time/ |archive-date=August 3, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Comedian [[Jim Downey (comedian)|Jim Downey]] was head writer for 10 years, from 1985 to 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nymag.com/arts/tv/features/47548/index4.html |title=Comedy Isn't Funny |website=New York Magazine |date=March 13, 1995 |access-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035533/https://nymag.com/arts/tv/features/47548/index4.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=June 12, 1995 |title=Saturday Night's Alright for Firing |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=juMCAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17 |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |page=17}}</ref> Downey (who previously joined the show's writing staff in the show's [[Saturday Night Live season 2|second season]] in 1977) is not only the show's longest-tenured head writer, but he is also overall the show's longest-tenured writer in the show's history. As he wrote for the show on-and-off for 30 years, formally retiring from the show in [[Saturday Night Live season 38|2013]].<ref>{{cite interview|last=Miller |first=Dennis |interviewer=Dennis Miller |title=The Dennis Miller Show |last2=Downey |first2=Jim |url=http://www.dennismillerradio.com/b/Up-To-a-Point/-869739034683769013.html |date=2013-05-30 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826232153/http://dennismillerradio.com/b/Up-To-a-Point/-869739034683769013.html |archive-date=2013-08-26 }}</ref>

Experienced writers with backgrounds in television shows are also sometimes brought into the ''SNL'' writing room. Like the ''SNL'' cast who appear on camera, many of the writers have been able to find their own success outside the show, such as [[Conan O'Brien]], who was brought into ''SNL'' from The Groundlings in 1988, went on to write for ''[[The Simpsons]]'', and eventually began hosting his own [[Late Night with Conan O'Brien|show]].<ref name="speakerbio">{{cite web|access-date=May 11, 2008|url=http://www.greatertalent.com/speakers/speakers.php?speakerid=235|title=Host of Late Night with Conan O'Brien|publisher=Greater Talent Network |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080418032637/http://www.greatertalent.com/speakers/speakers.php?speakerid=235<!--Bot retrieved archive--> |archive-date = April 18, 2008}}</ref> Former head writer [[Adam McKay]], along with performer Ferrell, founded the successful comedy website [[Funny or Die]].<ref name="WriterMcKay">{{cite news|title=Top 10 Post-SNL Careers| url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1902936_1902935,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416020222/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1902936_1902935_1902881,00.html| archive-date=April 16, 2010 | magazine=Time |date=June 5, 2009|url-status=live| access-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref> In 1999, Tina Fey (a year before joining the cast and becoming a [[Weekend Update]] anchor) became the first woman ''SNL'' head writer<ref name="Levin2001">{{cite journal|first=Gary|last=Levin|title=Fey makes way in funnyman's world|date=February 8, 2001|journal=USA Today|page=04.D}}</ref><ref name="observer">{{cite news|url=https://observer.com/2001/03/meet-foureyed-new-sex-symbol-weekend-update-anchor-tina-fey/|title=Meet Four-Eyed New Sex Symbol, 'Weekend Update' Anchor Tina Fey|last=Gay|first=Jason|date=March 4, 2001|work=New York Observer|access-date=July 1, 2009|archive-date=January 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115192638/https://observer.com/2001/03/meet-foureyed-new-sex-symbol-weekend-update-anchor-tina-fey/|url-status=live}}</ref> and successfully made the transition to starring on the show,<ref name="witchel">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/25/style/counterintelligence-update-anchor-the-brains-behind-herself.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all|title=Counterintelligence; 'Update' Anchor: The Brains Behind Herself|last=Witchel|first=Alex|date=November 25, 2001|work=The New York Times|access-date=July 1, 2009}}</ref> as well as writing and starring in feature films,<ref name="Otto2004">{{cite web|first=Jeff|last=Otto|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/508/508797p1.html|title=IGN Interviews Tina Fey|access-date=August 10, 2010|date=April 23, 2004|website=IGN|page=1|archive-date=July 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718145846/http://movies.ign.com/articles/508/508797p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Ebert2010">{{cite news|first=Roger|last=Ebert|author-link=Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/megamind-2010|title=Megamind|access-date=January 2, 2022|date=November 3, 2010|work=RogerEbert.com|archive-date=December 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225114439/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/megamind-2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="grosz">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jun-10-en-feyqa10-story.html|title=Face it; Tina Fey rocks|last=Grosz|first=Christy|date=June 10, 2009|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=January 2, 2022|archive-date=May 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503221903/http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/10/news/en-feyqa10|url-status=live}}</ref> ultimately creating and starring in her own show ''[[30&nbsp;Rock]]'', which was partly based on her ''SNL'' experiences.<ref name="Poniewozik2006">{{cite news|url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,1535853,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125034418/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1535853,00.html|archive-date=November 25, 2006|title=Do Not Adjust Your Set|last=Poniewozik|first=James|date=September 18, 2006|magazine=Time|url-status=live|access-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref> In 2005 Fey was paid $1.5{{spaces}}million per season for her dual role as head writer and performer.<ref name="WriterHeadSalary">{{cite news|first=Sophia| last=Banay| title=Fey Day | url=http://www.portfolio.com/culture-lifestyle/culture-inc/arts/2008/09/26/Whats-Tina-Fey-Worth/ | work=[[Portfolio.com|Portfolio]]|date=September 26, 2008| access-date=August 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410084502/http://www.portfolio.com/culture-lifestyle/culture-inc/arts/2008/09/26/Whats-Tina-Fey-Worth/ |archive-date=April 10, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Writer [[John Mulaney]] has also found success outside of ''SNL'' through well-received stand-up specials, his [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] act ''[[The Oh, Hello Show]]'', and the special ''[[John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch]]''.

===Directors===
The show employs a studio director, who directs all of the live sketches, as well as segment directors, who direct the commercial parodies and short films. 

The show's studio directors have been:

* [[Dave Wilson (director)|Dave Wilson]] (1975–1986)<ref name="thrdirector" />
* [[Paul Miller (director)|Paul Miller]] (1986–1989)<ref name="thrdirector" />
* Dave Wilson (1989–1995)<ref name="thrdirector" />
* [[Beth McCarthy Miller]] (1995–2006)<ref name="thrdirector" />
* [[Don Roy King]] (2006–2021)<ref name="thrdirector" />
* Liz Patrick (2021–present)<ref name="thrdirector" />

The show's current in-house segment directors are:

* [[Mike Diva]] (2021–present)
* Tim Wilkime (2022–present)
* Christopher Werner (2023–present)

===Announcers===
[[Don Pardo]] served as the announcer for the series when it began and continued in the role for all but season seven, between 1981 and 1982, when Michaels had left and [[Mel Brandt]] and [[Bill Hanrahan]] filled the announcing role. In 2004 Pardo announced that he would step down from his position, but then continued in the role until 2009 when he again announced his retirement, but then continued into the 2009–10 season.<ref name="Announcer1">{{cite news| title='SNL' retirement for announcing legend Don Pardo?| url=https://variety.com/2010/tv/news/legendary-announcer-don-pardo-may-finally-have-his-saturday-nights-back-its-believed-that-pardo-is-looking-at-stepping-d-13341/| work=Variety| publisher=Reed Business Information| date=September 17, 2010| first=Michael| last=Schneider| access-date=January 2, 2022| archive-date=January 2, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102083443/https://variety.com/2010/tv/news/legendary-announcer-don-pardo-may-finally-have-his-saturday-nights-back-its-believed-that-pardo-is-looking-at-stepping-d-13341/| url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, the 92-year-old Pardo was reported to be again considering his retirement, but continued to serve as announcer until his death at age 96 on August 18, 2014, following the 39th season. Apart from a brief period in 2006 in which Pardo pre-recorded his announcements at his home in Arizona, he flew to New York City to perform his announcing duties live, until 2010 when he began recording permanently from Arizona.<ref name="Announcer1" /><ref name="2014Pardo">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2014/08/don-pardo-dead-saturday-night-live-821449/|title=R.I.P. 'Saturday Night Live' Announcer Don Pardo |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=August 18, 2014 |access-date=August 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820063150/http://deadline.com/2014/08/don-pardo-dead-saturday-night-live-821449/ |archive-date=August 20, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tucson.com/entertainment/movies/pardo-to-voice-snl-from-tucson/article_d60d3256-5961-55a4-b0c5-b5a9491610d2.html|title=Pardo to voice 'SNL' from Tucson|first=Coley|last=Ward|date=September 9, 2010|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=January 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102201413/https://tucson.com/entertainment/movies/pardo-to-voice-snl-from-tucson/article_d60d3256-5961-55a4-b0c5-b5a9491610d2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Former cast members Joe Piscopo<ref>{{cite episode |title=Jamie Lee Curtis/The Fixx |series=Saturday Night Live |network=NBC |airdate=February 18, 1984}}</ref> and Darrell Hammond have also impersonated Pardo and fulfilled his announcing duties during times Pardo was unavailable.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=444}} Hammond took over as full-time announcer starting with [[Saturday Night Live (season 40)|season 40]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ausiello|first1=Michael|title=SNL Taps Darrell Hammond to Succeed Don Pardo as Announcer|url=http://tvline.com/2014/09/18/darrell-hammond-saturday-night-live-announcer-replacing-don-pardo-snl/|access-date=September 18, 2014|date=September 18, 2014|website=[[TVLine]]|archive-date=September 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920170009/http://tvline.com/2014/09/18/darrell-hammond-saturday-night-live-announcer-replacing-don-pardo-snl/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Hosts and musical guests===
{{Main|List of Saturday Night Live guests|l1 = List of ''Saturday Night Live'' guests}}

A typical episode of ''SNL'' will feature a single host chosen for their popularity or novelty, or because they have a film, album, or other work being released near the time of their appearance on the show.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=400}} The host delivers the opening monologue and goodnights, introduces the musical guest, and performs in sketches with the cast. Traditionally, the host of the show ends the opening monologue by mentioning the musical guest for the night and saying, "We got a great show for you tonight, (musical guest) is/are here/I'm here (if the host is also the musical guest). So stick around, we'll be right back." Comedian [[George Carlin]] was the first to host ''SNL'' in the debut October 1975 episode;<ref name="HostCarlin">{{cite news|first=Rachel |last=Sklar |title=George Carlin's SNL Monologue |url= https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-carlins-snl-monolo_n_108838 |work=[[HuffPost]] |date=February 7, 2008 |access-date=January 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108024444/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/24/george-carlins-snl-monolo_n_108838.html |archive-date=November 8, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> three episodes later, [[Candice Bergen]] became the first woman to host and subsequently the first host to return. Guests who have hosted five or more times are sometimes referred to as belonging to the [[Five-Timers Club]], a term that originated on a sketch performed on [[Tom Hanks]]'s fifth episode.<ref name="Host5Timer">{{cite news|first=Carol |last=Hartsell |title=Justin Timberlake Joins The Five-Timers Club During 'SNL' Monologue |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/justin-timberlake-five-timers-club-snl_n_2846558|website=HuffPost |date=March 10, 2013 |access-date=January 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313114054/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/10/justin-timberlake-five-timers-club-snl_n_2846558.html |archive-date=March 13, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> As of February 11, 2017, actor [[Alec Baldwin]] holds the record for most times hosting, having performed the duty on seventeen different occasions since 1990; Baldwin took the record from actor [[Steve Martin]] who has hosted fifteen times since 1976.<ref name="HostBaldwinRec">{{cite magazine|first=Aly |last=Semigran |title='Saturday Night Live' recap: The return of the king (a.k.a. Alec Baldwin) |url=https://ew.com/article/2011/09/25/saturday-night-live-recap/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=September 25, 2011 |access-date=January 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105091906/http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/09/25/saturday-night-live-recap/ |archive-date=January 5, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Occasionally, former SNL cast members also host.

According to previous hosts [[Justin Timberlake]] and [[Shane Gillis]], hosts were paid $5,000 between 2009 and 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Comiter |first1=Jordana |title=Do SNL Hosts Get Paid? Here's How Much Stars Make for the Gig — and What SNL Cast Members Have Revealed About Their Salaries |url=https://people.com/do-snl-hosts-get-paid-8781883 |access-date=11 June 2025 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=2025-02-15}}</ref>

Each episode also features a musical guest, a solo act, or a band, who performs two or three musical numbers. Occasionally, the musical guest simultaneously serves as the host, and may also appear in comedy sketches. As of October 11, 2020, [[Dave Grohl]] is the most frequent musical guest, performing on fourteen shows since 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Darus |first=Alex |date=2022-04-26 |title=The Musical Guest With The Most SNL Appearances |url=https://www.looper.com/843539/the-musical-guest-with-the-most-snl-appearances/ |access-date=2022-08-14 |website=Looper.com |language=en-US |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919035533/https://www.looper.com/843539/the-musical-guest-with-the-most-snl-appearances/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Michaels does not allow musical guests to perform using [[lip-synching]] tracks,{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=68}} believing it diminishes the live aspect of the show. Exceptions are made only when the musical act is focused on intense dance routines instead of vocals, in acknowledgment of the difficulty in being both heavily physically active and singing.<ref name="60MinutesInterview">{{cite news|first=Rebecca|last=Leung|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michaels-lip-sync-an-snl-no-no/|title=Michaels: Lip-Sync An 'SNL' No-No|publisher=[[CBS]]|work=[[60 Minutes]]|date=February 11, 2009|access-date=January 2, 2022|archive-date=March 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306013154/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michaels-lip-sync-an-snl-no-no/|url-status=live}}</ref> A 1975 performance by pop group [[ABBA]] was the first and only act to feature lip-synching,{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=68}} until [[Saturday Night Live incidents#Ashlee Simpson|the controversial 2004 performance of Ashlee Simpson]].

The December 18, 2021, episode (hosted by [[Paul Rudd]]) became the first episode to not feature any musical performances since the first episode of [[Saturday Night Live (season 12)|season 12]], as well as the third episode in the show's duration to not have a musical guest, due to the rise of the [[SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant|Omicron variant]] in New York City during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |title=New York sets record for positive COVID cases in one day |url=https://nypost.com/2021/12/17/new-york-sets-record-for-positive-covid-19-cases-in-one-day/ |website=New York Post |date=December 18, 2021 |access-date=20 December 2021 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919040041/https://nypost.com/2021/12/17/new-york-sets-record-for-positive-covid-19-cases-in-one-day/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Charli XCX]] was planned as the musical guest, but her performance was cancelled due to the new restrictions as the show had a "limited cast and crew" and no audience.<ref>{{cite web |title='SNL' Drops Live Audience and Musical Guest Charli XCX Due to COVID Spike |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/snl-year-end-episode-drops-live-audience-some-cast-and-crew-due-to-covid-19/2594176/ |website=NBC Boston |date=December 18, 2021 |access-date=20 December 2021 |archive-date=December 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218225055/https://www.nbcboston.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/snl-year-end-episode-drops-live-audience-some-cast-and-crew-due-to-covid-19/2594176/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Miskel Spillman====
'''Miskel Spillman''' (September 8, 1897 – March 30, 1992) was the winner of the only "Anyone Can Host" contest on ''Saturday Night Live'', and hosted the December 17, 1977, broadcast. An 80-year-old [[Germany|German]] immigrant and grandmother from [[New Orleans]],<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Martinez |first=Kelly |date=2024-11-29 |title='Wow, This Is Really Weird!': When 80-Year-Old Grandmother Miskel Spillman Hosted SNL |url=https://latenighter.com/features/when-80-year-old-miskel-spillman-hosted-snl/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=LateNighter |language=en-US}}</ref> Spillman held the record as the oldest host in ''SNL''{{'s}} history (two weeks older than [[Ruth Gordon]] when she hosted on January 22, 1977) for thirty-two years, until it was broken on May 8, 2010, by 88-year-old [[Betty White]]. Spillman remains the only non-celebrity to host the program. Entrants to ''Saturday Night Live''{{'s}} "Anyone Can Host" contest were asked to write, in 25 words or less, why they should be selected to host the program.<ref name=":6" /> Spillman's winning entry read: "I'm 80 years old. I need one more cheap thrill, since my doctor told me I only have another 25 years left."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Sandra |date=2025-02-14 |title=The charming story of Miskel Spillman, an 80-year-old grandmother who hosted 'SNL' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/14/entertainment/snl-50-miskel-spillman |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> After hosting, Spillman remained a fan of the program and stayed up to watch it in her later years, proclaiming herself to particularly enjoy [[Dana Carvey]] and especially his character, [[The Church Lady]].<ref name=":6" />

===The Band===
{{Main|Saturday Night Live Band}}

The Saturday Night Live Band (also known as "The Live Band") is the [[house band]] for ''SNL''. Academy Award-winning composer [[Howard Shore]] served as the first musical director, from 1975 to 1980, appearing in many musical sketches, including Howard Shore and His All-Nurse Band and (backing a [[U.S. Coast Guard]] chorus) Howard Shore and the Shore Patrol. Over the years, the band has featured several New York studio musicians including [[Paul Shaffer]] (1975–1980), [[Lou Marini]] (1975–1983), [[Buddy Williams (jazz drummer)|Buddy Williams]] (1975–1985), [[Marcus Miller]] (1979–1981), [[David Sanborn]] (1975), [[Michael Brecker]] (the early 1980s), [[Ray Chew]] (1980–1983), [[Alan Rubin]] (1975–1983), [[Georg Wadenius]] (1979–1985), [[Steve Ferrone]] (1985), [[David Johansen]] (performing as Buster Poindexter), [[Tom Malone (musician)|Tom Malone]] (who took over as musical director from 1981 to 1985), and [[G. E. Smith]] (musical director from 1985 to 1995). As of 2017, the band is under the leadership of [[Tower of Power]] alumnus [[Lenny Pickett]], keyboardist [[Leon Pendarvis]], and Eli Brueggemann, who does not play in the band on the live show. The band plays instrumentals leading in and out of station breaks; affiliates who run no advertising during these interludes hear the band play complete songs behind a ''Saturday Night Live'' bumper graphic until the program resumes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/about/band.shtml|title=SNL Band from NBC|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-date=January 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119043536/http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/about/band.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The band plays "Closing Theme (Waltz in A)", written by Shore, at the end of the show.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4kCEy9eIsrujGHv9nqEwWnEIIPw6rgAN|title=On the Record: 'Tapestry,' SNL songs close, but not the same|last=Darr|first=Deanna|work=[[Rapid City Journal]]|date=May 16, 2013|access-date=May 4, 2017|archive-date=January 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121181900/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4kCEy9eIsrujGHv9nqEwWnEIIPw6rgAN|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Zuanich |first=Barbara |date=1980-01-10 |title=Saturday Night's Live Band |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bonners-ferry-herald-saturday-nights-li/171529957/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |work=Bonners Ferry Herald |pages=64}}</ref>

==Production==
{{Main|List of recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches|l1 = List of recurring ''Saturday Night Live'' characters and sketches}}

[[File:29 - New York - Octobre 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Comcast Building]] (30 Rockefeller Plaza, or "30{{spaces}}Rock") from which the show is broadcast]]

===The studio===
{{Main|Studio 8H}}

Since the show's inception, ''SNL'' has aired from Studio 8H, located on floors eight and nine of the Comcast Building (formerly the [[RCA Building]] and [[GE Building]], now [[30&nbsp;Rockefeller Plaza]] or "30{{spaces}}Rock"). Three of the shows of the 1976–77 season were shot at the former [[JC Studios|NBC Studios]] in Brooklyn, due to [[NBC News]] using Studio 8H for [[1976 United States presidential election|presidential election]] coverage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/about/history.shtml|title=SNL's Studio from NBC|access-date=February 14, 2010|archive-date=April 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424215225/http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/about/history.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the summer 2005 shooting hiatus, crews began renovations on Studio 8H. With its thirty-first-season premiere in October 2005, the show began broadcasting in [[high-definition television]], appearing [[Letterboxing (filming)|letterboxed]] on conventional television screens. The offices of ''SNL'' writers, producers, and other staff can be found on the 17th floor of "30{{spaces}}Rock".{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=52}}

===Creating an episode===
Production on an ''SNL'' episode will normally start on a Monday with a free-form pitch meeting{{Sfn|Mohr|2004|p=27}}{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=52}}<ref name="SatNightDocu">{{cite news|first=Daniel |last=Carlson |title=Saturday Night – Film Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/saturday-night-film-review-29403/ |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=October 14, 2010 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104225135/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/saturday-night-film-review-29403 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> between the cast, writers, producers, including Michaels and the guest host in Michaels's office over two hours. The host is invited to pitch ideas during this meeting. Although some sketchwriting may occur on the day, the bulk of the work revolves around pitching ideas. Tuesday is the only day dedicated purely to writing the scripts,{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=113}} a process that usually extends through the night into the following morning. Writing may not begin until 8:00{{spaces}}p.m. on Tuesday.{{Sfn|Mohr|2004|p=27}} At 5:00{{spaces}}p.m. on Wednesday, the sketches are read by the cast during a round-table meeting in the writers' room,<ref name="SatNightDocu"/> attended by the writers and producers present during the pitch meeting, technical experts such as make-up artists, who may be required to realize certain sketch ideas such as those using prosthetics, and other producers, resulting in attendance of approximately fifty people. At this point, there may be at least forty sketch ideas that are read-through in turn, lasting upwards of three hours.{{Sfn|Mohr|2004|p=28}}

After completion of the read-through, Michaels, the head writer, the guest host, and some of the show producers will move to Michaels' office to decide the layout of the show and decide which of the sketches will be developed for air. Once complete, the writers and cast are allowed into Michaels's office to view the show breakdown and learn whether or not their sketch has survived.{{Sfn|Mohr|2004|pp=28–29}} Sketches may be rewritten starting the same day, but will certainly commence on Thursday. Work focuses on developing and rewriting the remaining sketches{{Sfn|Mohr|2004|p=27}} and possibly rehearsals.<ref name="SatNightDocu" /> If a sketch is still scheduled beyond Thursday, it is rehearsed on Friday or Saturday before moving to a rehearsal before a live audience at 8:00{{spaces}}p.m., again on Saturday, before the live show.{{Sfn|Mohr|2004|p=27}}<ref name="SatNightDocu"/> After the rehearsal, Michaels will review the show lineup to ensure it meets a 90-minute length, and sketches that have made it as far as the live rehearsal may be removed.{{Sfn|Mohr|2004|p=30}} This often results in less than two days of rehearsal for the eight to twelve sketches that have made it to the stage that then may appear on the live broadcast.{{Sfn|Mohr|2004|p=27}} The opening monologue, spoken by the guest host, is given low priority and can be written as late as Saturday afternoon.{{Sfn|Mohr|2004|p=23}}

According to an interview with [[Tina Fey]] in 2004, the three- to four-member dedicated Weekend Update writing team will write jokes throughout the week. The host(s) of Weekend Update will normally not work with or read the scripts from the team until Thursday evening after the main show sketches have been finalized. The host(s) will then work on contributing to the script where necessary.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1854950| title= Writer and Actress Tina Fey (Time 15:30)| website= [[Fresh Air]]| publisher= [[National Public Radio|NPR]]| format= Audio| date= April 28, 2004| access-date= March 3, 2008| archive-date= September 19, 2024| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240919040042/https://www.npr.org/2004/04/28/1854950/writer-and-actress-tina-fey| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal| journal= [[Writer's Digest]]|date=August 2000
|title= ''SNL''{{'s}} Tina Fey| first= Julianne| last= Hill| pages= 40}}<!--The citation but not the text is at http://www.writersdigest.com/articles/indexes/wd2000.asp--></ref>

===Post-production===
With onsite facilities housed on floors eight and seventeen of Rockefeller Plaza, post-production duties on live broadcasts of ''Saturday Night Live'' include the mixing of audio and video elements by the Senior Audio Mixer, coupled with additional audio feeds consisting of music, sound effects, music scoring, and pre-recorded voiceovers. All sources are stored digitally, with shows captured and segregated into individual elements to reorganize for future repeats and syndication. The production tracking system was migrated from primarily [[analog recording|analog]] to [[Digital data|digital]] in 1998, with live shows typically requiring 1.5 terabytes of storage, consisting of audio elements and five cameras' worth of visual elements.<ref name="snlpostprodsan">{{cite web|url=http://www.qlogic.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Education_and_Resource/case_studies/SNL_v3.pdf |title=Case study. Saturday Night Live: Live from New York through a fibre channel SAN |year=2005 |access-date=November 16, 2009 |publisher=QLogic |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5nbtzSuqX?url=http://www.qlogic.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Education_and_Resource/case_studies/SNL_v3.pdf |archive-date=February 17, 2010 }}</ref> Elements of ''Saturday Night Live'' that are pre-recorded, such as certain commercial parodies, [[SNL Digital Shorts]], and show graphics are processed off-site in the post-production facilities of [[Broadway Video]].<ref name="broadreinvent">{{cite web|url=http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1488/43|title=Broadway Video's reinvention by design|date=May 1, 2009|access-date=February 16, 2015|publisher=[[Post (magazine)|Post]]|archive-date=February 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216195323/http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1488/43|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Filming and photography===
Studio 8H production facilities are maintained by NBC Production Services. As of 2018, the show uses five Sony HDC-1500 cameras, primarily mounted on [[Vinten]] [[pedestals]], although one is mounted on a Chapman-Leonard Electra crane.<ref>{{cite web |title=Studio 8H and the Chapman crane |url=http://eyesofageneration.com/teletales/studio-8h-and-the-chapman-crane/ |website=Eyes Of A Generation ... Television's Living History |access-date=19 January 2019 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919040044/http://eyesofageneration.com/tv-history/studio-8h-and-the-chapman-crane/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Creating Saturday Night Live: Crane Camera - SNL |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0BF98r1GXE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/S0BF98r1GXE |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|website=SNL YouTube | date=January 9, 2019 |access-date=19 January 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Electra II / Nike |url=http://www.chapman-leonard.com/product/635 |website=www.chapman-leonard.com |access-date=19 January 2019 |archive-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093606/http://www.chapman-leonard.com/product/635 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As of 2014, a [[Grass Valley (company)|Grass Valley]] GVG 4000-3 digital component production switcher and GVG 7000 digital component routing switcher are used to route visual feeds to the control room, with multiple digital and analog video recorders used to store footage. Graphics are provided by a [[Chyron Corporation|Chyron]] Lyric Pro character generator and an [[Avid Technology|Avid]] Deko character generator. Audio facilities consist of a Calrec T Series digitally controlled analog mixing console, and a [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]] [[digital mixing console]] used for tape playback support and utility audio work.<ref name="nbcproduction8h">{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcproductionservices.com/studio8H.stm |title=NBC Production Services |publisher=NBC Production Services |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302221721/http://www.nbcproductionservices.com/studio8H.stm |access-date=April 12, 2010 |archive-date=2014-03-02}}</ref> While exact budgets for other seasons are not known, the 39th season (2013–14) had a budget of over $70{{spaces}}million, for which it received a subsidy from New York State in the amount of $12.3{{spaces}}million.<ref>[http://www.esd.ny.gov/Reports/2015_2016/FTCP_4Q2015_Report.pdf 1FILM TAX CREDIT –QUARTERLY REPORTCALENDAR YEAR 2015:FOURTH QUARTER DECEMBER 31,2015] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530124558/http://www.esd.ny.gov/Reports/2015_2016/FTCP_4Q2015_Report.pdf |date=May 30, 2016 }} Empire State Development</ref>

[[Edie Baskin]] was the original ''SNL'' photographer. She was hired after Michaels saw her photographs of [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] and other work. Baskin helped create the opening title sequence for the show by taking photos of New York City at night.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=60}} The first episode used publicity photos of host George Carlin as transitional [[Bumper (broadcasting)|bumpers]] between the show and commercial breaks, the second episode used photos Baskin had already taken of host [[Paul Simon]]. It was then that Michaels suggested that Baskin photograph the hosts for the bumpers instead of using publicity photos, beginning a tradition that continues today.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=62–63}} For the first five seasons, Baskin's bumper photos, which were always in black and white, had a hand drawn feel to them, with her drawing directly on the photos with neon or pastel colors over that week's host or on the background.

Since 1999, [[Mary Ellen Matthews]] has been the official photographer of ''SNL'', responsible for devising distinctive photo layouts and aesthetics for still imagery used on the show. Matthews creates photo portraits of the hosts and musical guests of each episode which are used as commercial bumpers. The limited time frame between the host's involvement in the production process and the Live show requires Matthews to create makeshift photo studios on-site at 30{{spaces}}Rock, with Matthews attempting to shoot the host on Tuesday and the musical guest on Thursday, although the availability of either can mean the photoshoot for both occurs as late as Thursday.<ref name="MatthewsInt1">{{cite news|title=Mary Ellen Matthews: It's Saturday Night!|url=http://www.digitalphotopro.com/profiles/mary-ellen-matthews-its-saturday-night.html|access-date=April 19, 2011|work=Digital Photo Pro|first1=William|last1=Sawalich|date=February 23, 2010|archive-date=January 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111195416/http://www.digitalphotopro.com/profiles/mary-ellen-matthews-its-saturday-night.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Matthews employs flattering portrait lighting with [[soft light|hard lights]] to achieve a Hollywood style. On the lighting, Matthews commented: "I think it just helps the image pop off the screen{{spaces}}... If you use soft or flat lighting, it becomes not as dimensional{{spaces}}... The [classic Hollywood lighting] gives a little more contrast, and if I use edge lights and then light the background, it goes farther and farther back. I try to achieve that depth as much as I can."<ref name="MatthewsInt2">{{cite news|title=Mary Ellen Matthews: It's Saturday Night!|url=http://www.digitalphotopro.com/profiles/mary-ellen-matthews-its-saturday-night.html?start=2|access-date=April 19, 2011|work=Digital Photo Pro|first1=William|last1=Sawalich|date=February 23, 2010|archive-date=January 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111220339/http://www.digitalphotopro.com/profiles/mary-ellen-matthews-its-saturday-night.html?start=2|url-status=dead}}</ref> Matthews is also responsible for taking cast photos, behind-the-scenes images, documenting rehearsals, and promotional photos. As of 2010, she has also been involved in directing videos, including the show title sequence.<ref name="MatthewsInt2" />

==Broadcast==
{{See also|Lists of Saturday Night Live episodes|l1=List of ''Saturday Night Live'' episodes}}
[[File:SNL stage.jpg|thumb|''SNL''{{'}}s main stage during rehearsal, 2008]]

The show begins at 11:29:30&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]], and is scheduled for a 93-minute timeslot ending at 1:02&nbsp;a.m.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/|title=NBC New York}}</ref>

For most of ''SNL''{{'s}} history, it aired live only to NBC stations in the Eastern and [[Central Time Zone|Central Time]] Zones, with all others receiving a recorded broadcast at the normal start time of late-night network programming (11:30{{spaces}}p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]] and 10:30{{spaces}}p.m. in other time zones). Since 2017, the show is broadcast live across the contiguous United States. Because the show airs outside of the [[safe harbor (broadcasting)|safe harbor]] outside of Eastern and Central Time, a brief [[broadcast delay]] is installed to meet [[Federal Communications Commission]] regulations of primetime programming.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/sam-rockwell-drops-f-bomb-snl-1202664138/|title = Sam Rockwell Drops Surprise 'F-Bomb' on 'SNL'|last = Steinberg|first = Brian|work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date = January 13, 2018|access-date = February 23, 2019|archive-date = September 19, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240919040044/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/sam-rockwell-drops-f-bomb-snl-1202664138/|url-status = live}}</ref>

Outside of the contiguous United States, the show also airs live on the three NBC stations in [[Alaska]] at 7:30&nbsp;p.m. local. Two NBC stations still broadcast ''SNL'' on tape delay: [[KHNL]] in [[Honolulu, Hawaii|Honolulu]] delays it one hour (two hours during Eastern [[Daylight saving time in the United States|daylight-saving time]]) to 7:30&nbsp;p.m. local, and [[KUAM-TV]] in [[Guam]], where the live broadcast is fourteen hours ahead at 1:30{{spaces}}p.m. [[International Date Line|on Sunday afternoon]], delays it to 11:00{{spaces}}p.m. that night.

Since the first opening in 1975 with Michael O'Donoghue, Chevy Chase, and John Belushi, the show has normally begun with a [[cold open]] sketch which ends with one or more cast members [[breaking character]] and proclaiming "[[Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!]]", followed by the opening credits.<ref name="LFNYch1">{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Shales |author-link=Tom Shales |title=Live From New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/10/books/chapters/live-from-new-york.html |work=The New York Times |date=November 10, 2002 |access-date=November 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426002914/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/10/books/chapters/1110-1st-shales.html?pagewanted=15 |archive-date=April 26, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2013, NBC began airing shortened hour-long repeats on select Saturday evenings at 10:00&nbsp;p.m. Eastern Time during the regular season (these may be preempted due to the live airing happening in primetime on the West Coast); the episodes scheduled were sometimes rebroadcasts of the previous week's episode if it was a first-run broadcast.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schneider|first=Michael|title=NBC Brings Saturday Night Live to Saturday Primetime|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/saturday-night-live-primetime-1062086/|website=TV Guide|access-date=January 2, 2022|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124150206/https://www.tvguide.com/news/saturday-night-live-primetime-1062086/|url-status=live}}</ref> Beginning with the 2014–15 season, the show's 40th anniversary, the prime time rebroadcasts were a selection of episodes from throughout the show's run under the title ''SNL Vintage'' (a title used only within television listings, never appearing on-air). The network dropped the vintage titling and changed to very recent rebroadcasts beginning in the 2023–2024 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=2024-03-07 |title=NBC Veers From 'Vintage' Repeats of 'SNL' |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/nbc-snl-vintage-repeats-saturday-night-live-1235934307/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US |archive-date=March 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310060604/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/nbc-snl-vintage-repeats-saturday-night-live-1235934307/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

NBC and Broadway Video both hold the underlying rights to the show, while the copyright to every episode lies either with NBC or [[Universal Television]]. From 1990 until 2004, and again since 2015, [[Comedy Central]] and its predecessor [[Ha! (TV channel)|Ha!]] aired reruns of the series, after which [[E!]] signed a deal to carry reruns.<ref>{{cite news
 | last= Romano
 | first= Allison
 | url= https://www.nexttv.com/news/comedy-central-goes-mad-94309
 | title= Comedy Central Goes Mad
 | work= [[Broadcasting & Cable]]
 | date= October 25, 2002
 | access-date= January 2, 2022
 | archive-date= September 19, 2024
 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240919040045/https://www.nexttv.com/news/comedy-central-goes-mad-94309
 | url-status= live
 }}</ref> Abbreviated thirty- and sixty-minute versions of the first five seasons aired as ''The Best of Saturday Night Live'' in syndication (from [[Orion Television]]; at the time, the FCC's [[Fin syn|fin-syn]] rules prevented NBC from directly distributing reruns of the show) beginning in the 1980s, and later on [[Nick at Nite]] in 1988. In September 2010, reruns of most episodes made from 1998 onward began airing on [[VH1]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Classic Saturday Night Live Episodes Now Airing on VH1 |url=http://blog.vh1.com/?p=145034 |date=September 27, 2010 |access-date=April 30, 2011 |website=VH1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120231539/http://blog.vh1.com/?p=145034 |archive-date=November 20, 2011}}</ref> Starting in February 2016, VH1 and Comedy Central's sister channel [[Logo TV|Logo]] began airing reruns of 2006-onward episodes on Sunday nights, launching its broadcast as counterprogramming for [[Super Bowl 50]] and branding it the "Live From New York, It's Satur-Gay Night!" marathon. Though the show would slowly phase out the cable syndication in favor of streaming through NBC.com, the now-defunct namesake show app, and NBC app, select seasons on [[Netflix]] until the mid-2010s, then the NBC-associated streaming services [[Seeso]] and [[Hulu]] at various points in the late 2010s, [[Yahoo! Screen]] in a one-year deal exclusively for clips only, then the [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] streaming service upon its launch in 2020, a majority of the show's "best of" specials would still run on the E! network in that span. The show would finally return to syndication in September 2024, as free-to-air network TBD (now [[Roar (TV network)|ROAR]] as of April 28, 2025) would pick up the series, airing the hour-long edits, as part of a refocus of the network towards traditional 30 and 60 minute sketch and improv comedy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riccardo |first=Nick |date=2024-09-05 |title=Vintage 'Saturday Night Live' Seasons Head to Sinclair's TBD Network |url=https://latenighter.com/news/vintage-snl-episodes-head-to-sinclairs-tbd-network/ |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=LateNighter |language=en-US}}</ref>

On March 16, 2017, NBC announced it would air the final four episodes of the [[Saturday Night Live (season 42)|42nd season]] live in all mainland U.S. time zones for the first time, creating a communal experience across the states. NBC executive [[Robert Greenblatt]] explained the show's significant viewership had made it part of the "national conversation", and thus, they felt it would be appropriate for the entire country to be "in on the joke at the same time".<ref name="tdb-snllive42">{{cite web |last=Wilstein |first=Matt |date=March 16, 2017 |title=SNL to Air Live in All Time Zones for First Time Ever |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2017/03/16/snl-to-air-live-in-all-time-zones-for-first-time-ever.html |access-date=March 16, 2017 |website=The Daily Beast}}</ref> NBC announced on September 19, 2017, that all subsequent episodes would air live coast-to-coast in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2017-09-19 |title='Saturday Night Live' To Continue Airing Live Coast To Coast |url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/saturday-night-live-continue-airing-live-coast-to-coast-1202173131/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230020326/https://deadline.com/2017/09/saturday-night-live-continue-airing-live-coast-to-coast-1202173131/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Beginning in the [[Saturday Night Live season 47|2021–2022 season]], the show has been simultaneously broadcast live on Peacock.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Harper |date=2021-10-02 |title=How to Watch the 'SNL' Season Premiere: Where It's Streaming and When |url=https://www.thewrap.com/how-to-watch-snl-premiere-live-streaming-online/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=[[TheWrap]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The show has also experimented with live broadcasts on [[YouTube]], beginning with a 2021 [[Elon Musk]]-hosted episode.<ref>{{cite web |title=Elon Musk's 'SNL' Debut Will Get Global YouTube Live Stream |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/snl-elon-musk-live-stream-youtube-1234969306/ |website=Variety |access-date=8 May 2021 |author=Steinberg, Brian |date=May 8, 2021 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919040046/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/snl-elon-musk-live-stream-youtube-1234969306/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Delays===
The episode scheduled for October 25, 1986, hosted by [[Rosanna Arquette]], was not aired until November 8 due to [[Major League Baseball on NBC|NBC]] broadcasting game 6 of the [[1986 World Series]] between the [[New York Mets]] and [[Boston Red Sox]]; the game entered [[extra innings]] and ended at 12:32&nbsp;a.m. Eastern, causing that night's broadcast of ''SNL'' to be canceled. The show was recorded for the studio audience starting at 1:30&nbsp;a.m. and broadcast two weeks later, with Mets pitcher [[Ron Darling]] delivering a jocular "apology" as the cold open.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McCarron |first1=Anthony |title=Ron Darling recalls his public apology after the '86 Mets pre-empted 'Saturday Night Live' |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2016/05/24/ron-darling-recalls-his-public-apology-after-the-86-mets-pre-empted-saturday-night-live/ |work=New York Daily News |date=24 May 2016}}</ref>

The episode scheduled for February 10, 2001, hosted by [[Jennifer Lopez]], aired 45 minutes late due to an [[XFL (2001)|XFL]] game. Lopez and the cast were not told they were airing on a delay. Michaels was so upset by the delay the episode was rerun a mere three weeks later. The fledgling football league ended up changing their rules in order to speed up play, and a deal was reached where the feed to future games would be cut off when ''SNL'' started, so that no such incident would happen again.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://vault.si.com/vault/2001/02/26/scorecard |work=Sports Illustrated Vault |title=Scorecard: Fight Club |date=February 26, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909080030/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1021846/index.htm |archive-date=September 9, 2010|access-date=January 2, 2022}}</ref>

The November 7, 2020 episode, hosted by [[Dave Chappelle]], began at 12:10&nbsp;a.m. Eastern after a [[2020 Clemson Tigers football team|Clemson]]-[[2020 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Notre Dame]] [[college football]] game went into double overtime.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2020/11/08/snl-fans-fuming-over-delay-due-to-college-football/ |work=New York Post |title='SNL' fans ticked off after show is delayed by college football game |date=November 8, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108055415/https://nypost.com/2020/11/08/snl-fans-fuming-over-delay-due-to-college-football/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The October 12, 2024 episode, hosted by [[Ariana Grande]], began at 11:35&nbsp;p.m. Eastern due to a primetime college football overrun.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berkowitz |first=Joe |date=2024-10-13 |title=Saturday Night Live Recap: Trapped in Purgatory |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/saturday-night-live-recap-season-50-episode-3-ariana-grande.html |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Vulture |language=en}}</ref> It was the first overrun under a new rights deal with the [[Big Ten Conference]] in which games air regularly in the Saturday prime time slot on NBC.

The October 18, 2025 episode, hosted by [[Sabrina Carpenter]], began at 11:42&nbsp;p.m. Eastern after a [[2025 USC Trojans football team|USC]]-[[2025 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team|Notre Dame]] [[college football]] game ran long.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rosenzweig |first1=Jed |title=Programming Alert: SNL to Begin 12 Minutes Late |url=https://latenighter.com/news/programming-alert-snl-to-begin-12-minutes-late/ |website=LateNighter |access-date=19 October 2025 |date=18 October 2025}}</ref>

==International versions==
Because ''SNL'' has been a huge success in the United States, channels in other countries have created their own versions of the show, including Brazil, Germany, Egypt, Spain, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Canada, Finland, France, Italy, and Poland.<ref name="jezebel">{{cite web|title=Saturday Night Live's International Siblings|url=https://jezebel.com/saturday-night-lives-international-siblings-5810481|access-date=January 8, 2022|website=jezebel|date=June 11, 2011|archive-date=January 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121182349/https://jezebel.com/5810481/saturday-night-lives-international-siblings|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="MTV">{{cite web|title=Saturday Night Live – Ohjelmat – MTV.fi|url=http://www.mtv.fi/saturdaynightlive|access-date=January 6, 2015|website=mtv|archive-date=August 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830042123/https://www.mtv.fi/saturdaynightlive|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Clarification needed|reason=This into implies that all versions were SNL-affiliated or coordinated with the U.S. production. However most following paragraphs imply that the foreign shows—except rebroadcasts of U.S. SNL—were unaffiliated productions.|date=March 2025}}

In the mid-late 1980s [[Channel 4]], in association with [[London Weekend Television]], created a show for British audiences called ''[[Saturday Live (British TV programme)|Saturday Live]]'' and ''Friday Night Live'', the repeat version was entitled "Saturday Almost Live". It was based on the ''SNL'' format but had no direct connection to the American program.

A German version of ''SNL'' named ''[[RTL Samstag Nacht]]'' aired between 1993 and 1998 on [[RTL Television]]. Most episodes were hosted by German celebrities, however, some shows were hosted by American personalities who never hosted the American version, including [[Mel Brooks]] and [[Michael Winslow]]. Due to language barriers, they appeared only in opening monologues and in a limited number of sketches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106108/|title=RTL Samstag Nacht (TV Series 1993–1998)|website=[[IMDb]]|date=November 6, 1993|access-date=April 21, 2018}}</ref>

''SNL'' in its original American version has aired in [[Israel]] since the early 2000s and is broadcast by satellite provider [[Yes (Israel)|yes]]. An SNL inspired Israeli show, ''[[Eretz Nehederet]]'' (A Wonderful Country), debuted in 2003 and continues to garner high ratings.

''SNL'' also airs in the Middle East and North Africa, [[OSN]] First HD every Saturday night, one week after it airs in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.osn.com/onlineguide/schedules/channel_en_gb.aspx?Channel=OCO&Genre=SER |title=OSN |publisher=OSN |date=October 15, 2011 |access-date=October 23, 2011 |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301004234/http://www.osn.com/onlineguide/schedules/channel_en_gb.aspx?Channel=OCO&Genre=SER |url-status=live }}</ref>

In India and Sri Lanka, ''Saturday Night Live!'' airs an hour-long version on [[Comedy Central India|Comedy Central]] one week after the U.S. broadcast.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tv.burrp.com/channel/Comedy%20Central/267/ |title=Schedule for Comedy Central, Comedy Central Schedule playing on Tue, Dec 08 &#124; Tuesday, 08 December &#124; burrp!TV Guide |access-date=November 28, 2015 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208133949/http://tv.burrp.com/channel/Comedy%20Central/267/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Spain's version of the show was short-lived, lasting a few episodes which aired on Thursdays and not Saturdays as the title suggested. This version copied heavily from the American version, as they did their own versions of sketches already done on the original series.<ref name="jezebel" /> 

Italy's ''Saturday Night Live From Milan'' aired for four seasons and used original material.<ref name="jezebel" /><ref name="mediaset1">{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.mediaset.it/italia1/snl/ |title=SNL Italy |publisher=Tv.mediaset.it |date=July 6, 2011 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816225746/http://www.tv.mediaset.it/italia1/snl/ |archive-date=August 16, 2011 }}</ref>

On December 3, 2011, South Korea's ''[[Saturday Night Live Korea|SNL Korea]]'' premiered on cable channel [[tvN (South Korean TV channel)|tvN]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Choi|first=EunHwa|title=''Saturday Night Live Korea'' to Start Airing on December 3|url=http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1690|access-date=March 9, 2013|newspaper=enewsWorld|date=November 22, 2011|agency=CJ E&M|archive-date=January 28, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128225915/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1690|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Noh|first=Hyun-gi|title=Live from Seoul, It's Saturday Night!|url=https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2011/11/135_99614.html|access-date=March 9, 2013|newspaper=Korea Times|date=November 27, 2011|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919050159/https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2011/11/135_99614.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.jkn.co.kr/article/news/20111128/4622991.htm|script-title=ko:김주혁, <SNL KOREA> 코믹 화보 폭소 작렬 '이런 모습 처음이야|work=JK Star News|date=November 28, 2011|access-date=November 23, 2012|language=ko|archive-date=April 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426163317/http://news.jkn.co.kr/article/news/20111128/4622991.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://boom.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20111109050018 |script-title=ko:tvN-장진 감독, 한국판 '새터데이 나이트 라이브' 제작 합심 |work=Boom Seoul |date=November 9, 2011 |access-date=November 23, 2012 |language=ko |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426082513/http://boom.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20111109050018 |archive-date=April 26, 2012}}</ref> As of November 11, 2017, has completed nine seasons with 205 episodes. On September 4, 2021, it was rebooted and broadcast through [[Coupang Play]], a South Korean OTT service. Only the broadcasting stations are different, but the members are similar or reinforced.

The Japanese version ''[[Saturday Night Live Japan]]'', which ran for six months in 2011, was created in part with sponsor [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]] and Lorne Michaels's production company, Broadway Video, and broadcast on [[Fuji TV]] networks. The show followed the same format with a few minor differences, being only 45 minutes long and hosted by a permanent host. The cast was made up of seasoned comedians who take center stage and newcomers who play the background roles. It was broadcast once a month, and ended after six episodes, as planned from the start.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.axiommagazine.jp/2011/06/05/saturday-night-live-japan/ |title=SNL Japan |newspaper=Axiom Magazine |publisher=Axiommagazine.jp |date=June 5, 2011 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |archive-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918024321/http://www.axiommagazine.jp/2011/06/05/saturday-night-live-japan/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Megan |last=Angelo |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/japanese-snl-saturday-night-live-kristen-wiig-2011-6 |title=Saturday Night Live JPN |publisher=Businessinsider.com |date=June 4, 2011 |access-date=August 6, 2011 |archive-date=July 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710040354/https://www.businessinsider.com/japanese-snl-saturday-night-live-kristen-wiig-2011-6 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2011/07/08/general/live-from-tokyo-its-saturday-night/#.VNOgKdLxKlB|title=Live from Tokyo, it's Saturday Night!|publisher=japantimes.co.jp|date=July 8, 2011|access-date=February 5, 2015|archive-date=February 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205204042/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2011/07/08/general/live-from-tokyo-its-saturday-night/#.VNOgKdLxKlB|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, the Russian channel [[NTV (Russia)|NTV]] aired the ''SNL'' adaptation entitled ''Суббота. Вечер. Шоу'' (''Saturday. Evening. Show'') and produced by [[Endemol]]'s Weit Media. Unlike other international versions, it was not broadcast live.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rbc.ru/newspaper/2013/09/20/56c0cc4e9a7947299f72dd36|script-title=ru:ТВ. Вечер. Шоу. Откуда телепродюсеры знают, что нужно зрителю|newspaper=RBC Daily|date=September 20, 2013|access-date=April 22, 2020|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919050050/https://www.rbc.ru/newspaper/2013/09/20/56c0cc4e9a7947299f72dd36|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to low ratings and negative reviews, the third episode was pulled from the schedule.<ref>{{cite news|last=Borodina|first=Arina|url=https://ria.ru/20130925/965848544.html|script-title=ru:Ванга снова вернулась в телевизор|newspaper=[[RIA Novosti]]|date=September 25, 2013|access-date=April 22, 2020|archive-date=August 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821003510/https://ria.ru/20130925/965848544.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Petrovskaya|first=Irina|url=https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2013/09/27/56524-iskusstvo-delat-133-bolshoe-delo|script-title=ru:Искусство делать большое дело|newspaper=[[Novaya Gazeta]]|date=September 27, 2013|access-date=April 22, 2020|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807070954/https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2013/09/27/56524-iskusstvo-delat-133-bolshoe-delo|url-status=live}}</ref> The remaining six episodes eventually aired in January 2014, but without any announcements and under a different title: ''Сегодня. Вечер. Шоу'' (''Today. Evening. Show''). Reruns of the adaptation were aired at night on NTV throughout the first half of 2015.

In 2014, two ninety-minute specials were broadcast in French on [[Télé-Québec]] in the Canadian province of [[Quebec]] under the title ''[[SNL Québec]]''; the specials were broadcast on February 8 and March 22, 2014. Hosted by [[Louis-José Houde]] and [[Stéphane Rousseau]], it is the same format and length as the original ''SNL'' series.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sobolewski|first=Samantha|title=''Saturday Night Live'' gets Canadian treatment|publisher=[[Bell Internet|The Loop]]|date=May 8, 2013}}</ref> Certain sketches from the original program, such as [[Debbie Downer]] and [[Schweddy Balls]], were adapted into French, while other sketches were original material written directly for the Quebec series. On May 13, 2014, ''SNL Quebec'' was renewed for another eight episodes to be broadcast monthly over the 2014–15 season ending with a "Best of" compilation.<ref>{{cite news|first=Brendan|last=Kelly|url=http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2014/05/13/guy-a-lepage-veronique-cloutier-patrick-huard-to-host-snl-quebec-next-season/|title=SNL Quebec is returning for a second season|newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette]]|date=May 13, 2014|access-date=December 12, 2014|archive-date=July 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715204048/http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2014/05/13/guy-a-lepage-veronique-cloutier-patrick-huard-to-host-snl-quebec-next-season/|url-status=live}}</ref> Télé-Québec announced in May 2015 the series would not be renewed due to funding cutbacks,<ref name=compressions>[http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/arts_et_spectacles/2015/03/03/001-snl-quebec-tele-quebec-compressions.shtml "SNL Québec victime des compressions à Télé-Québec"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623055501/http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/arts_et_spectacles/2015/03/03/001-snl-quebec-tele-quebec-compressions.shtml |date=June 23, 2015 }}. [[CBC News|Radio-Canada]], March 3, 2015.</ref> and [[Ici Radio-Canada Télé]] subsequently signed the show's production team and cast to produce a new series, ''[[Le nouveau show]]'', for that network.<ref>[http://www.lapresse.ca/arts/television/201504/09/01-4859570-radio-canada-repeche-les-comediens-de-snl-quebec.php "Radio-Canada repêche les comédiens de SNL Québec"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702103559/http://www.lapresse.ca/arts/television/201504/09/01-4859570-radio-canada-repeche-les-comediens-de-snl-quebec.php |date=July 2, 2015 }}. ''[[La Presse (Canadian newspaper)|La Presse]]'', April 9, 2015.</ref>

The French channel [[M6 (TV channel)|M6]] launched the pilot episode of its ''SNL'' adaptation, ''[[Le Saturday Night Live]]'', in January 2017.

The Polish division of [[Showmax]] video-on-demand streaming service launched the first season of its ''SNL'' adaptation, ''SNL Polska'' on December 2, 2017. The show received mixed reviews,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/artykul/polska-edycja-saturday-night-live-showmax-recenzja-opinie|title=Pierwszy odcinek polskiego "Saturday Night Live" nie zachwycił (opinie)|website=www.wirtualnemedia.pl|date=December 4, 2017|access-date=April 30, 2021|archive-date=April 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430025732/https://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/artykul/polska-edycja-saturday-night-live-showmax-recenzja-opinie|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polityka.pl/tygodnikpolityka/ludzieistyle/1731056,1,polskie-saturday-night-live-jednak-mocno-rozczarowuje.read|title=Polskie "Saturday Night Live" jednak mocno rozczarowuje|date=December 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mobirank.pl/2017/12/09/obejrzalem-2-odcinek-snl-polska-ale-sie-usmialem/|title=Obejrzałem 2. odcinek SNL Polska, ale się nie uśmiałem - mobiRANK.pl|date=December 9, 2017}}</ref> however improving by the end of the series.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://teleshow.wp.pl/karolak-zafundowal-widzom-jazde-bez-trzymanki-snl-polska-sie-rozkreca-6211520020534913a|title=Karolak zafundował widzom jazdę bez trzymanki. "SNL Polska" się rozkręca!|newspaper=Wp Teleshow |date=December 9, 2017|access-date=March 12, 2023|archive-date=March 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312113107/https://teleshow.wp.pl/karolak-zafundowal-widzom-jazde-bez-trzymanki-snl-polska-sie-rozkreca-6211520020534913a|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the first series, a stand-alone "Weekend Update" was introduced in autumn 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/artykul/snl-polska-weekend-update-showmax-emisja-telewizja-wp|title="SNL Polska - Weekend Update" od 27 października w Showmax, dzień później w Telewizji WP|date=October 23, 2018|access-date=March 12, 2023|archive-date=March 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312113103/https://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/artykul/snl-polska-weekend-update-showmax-emisja-telewizja-wp|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2018, Showmax announced the closure of its Polish branch, effectively cancelling the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wirtualnemedia.pl/artykul/showmax-wycofuje-sie-z-polski-jego-wlasciciel-skupia-sie-na-afryce|title=Showmax wycofuje się z Polski, Naspers sprzeda serwis|date=December 12, 2018}}</ref>

On December 10, 2021, Deadline reported that [[Sky One]] was working on a [[Television in the United Kingdom|British]] version of ''Saturday Night Live''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Peter|last=White|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/saturday-night-live-british-version-comcast-backed-sky-1234887760/|title='Saturday Night Live': British Version Of NBC Late-Night Comedy In The Works At Comcast-Backed Sky|publisher=Deadline|date=December 10, 2021|access-date=December 13, 2021|archive-date=December 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211182113/https://deadline.com/2021/12/saturday-night-live-british-version-comcast-backed-sky-1234887760/|url-status=live}}</ref> After the shutdown of Sky One, it was announced that the UK version is official and it will premiere on [[Sky Max]] and the streaming service [[Now (streaming service)|NOW]], which will be executive produced by the U.S. version creator [[Lorne Michaels]]. It is set to debut sometime in 2026.<ref>{{cite web|last=Savage|first=Michael|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/apr/10/sky-tv-uk-version-saturday-night-live-lorne-michaels|title=Sky announces 'star-studded' UK version of Saturday Night Live|work=The Guardian |date=April 10, 2025|access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Country
! Name
! Station
! Broadcast
! Language
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|Brazil}}
| ''Saturday Night Live''
| [[RedeTV!]]
| May 27, 2012 – October 20, 2012
| Portuguese
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|Canada}}
| ''[[SNL Québec]]''
| [[Télé-Québec]]
| February 8, 2014 – March 21, 2015
| French
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|China}}
| ''周六夜现场''
| [[Youku]]
| June 23, 2018 – September 8, 2018
| Mandarin Chinese
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|France}}
| ''[[Le Saturday Night Live]]''
| [[M6 (TV channel)|M6]]
| January 5, 2017 (single episode)
| French
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|Germany}}
| ''[[RTL Samstag Nacht]]''
| [[RTL (German TV channel)|RTL Television]]
| November 6, 1993 – May 23, 1998
| German
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|Italy}}
| ''[[Saturday Night Live from Milano]]''<br />''Saturday Night Live''
| [[Italia 1]]<br />[[TV8 (Italian TV channel)|TV8]]
| 2006 – 2011<br />April 7, 2018 – May 12, 2018
| Italian
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|Japan}}
| ''[[Saturday Night Live Japan|サタデーナイトライブ JPN<br /><small>Saturday Night Live JPN</small>]]''
| [[Fuji TV]]
| October 27, 2012 – November 17, 2012
| Japanese
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|Poland}}
| ''SNL Polska''
| [[Showmax]]
| December 2, 2017 – March 17, 2018
| Polish
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|Russia}}
| ''Суббота. Вечер. Шоу''<br />''Сегодня. Вечер. Шоу''
| [[NTV (Russia)|NTV]]
| September 13, 2013 – January 11, 2014
| Russian
|-
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"| {{Flag|South Korea}}
| [[Saturday Night Live Korea|''SNL 코리아''<br /><small>Saturday Night Live Korea</small>]]
| [[tvN (South Korean TV channel)|tvN]]
| December 3, 2011 – November 18, 2017
| Korean
|-
| [[Saturday Night Live Korea|''SNL 코리아''<br /><small>Saturday Night Live Korea</small>]]
| [[Coupang Play]]
| September 4, 2021 – present
| Korean
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|Spain}}
| ''[[Saturday Night Live (Spain)|Saturday Night Live]]''
| [[Cuatro (TV channel)|Cuatro]]
| February 5, 2009 – May 13, 2009
| Spanish
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|Finland}}
| ''Saturday Night Live Suomi''
| [[MTV3]]
| February 6, 2016 – April 23, 2016
| Finnish
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|Egypt}}
| ''[[Saturday Night Live bil Arabi|ساترداي نايت لايف بالعربي<br /><small>Saturday Night Live Arabic</small>]]''
| [[OSN]]
| February 20, 2016 – January 6, 2018
| Arabic
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
| ''Saturday Night Live UK''
| [[Sky Max]], [[Now (streaming service)|Now]]
| 2026 (upcoming)
| English
|}

==U.S. television ratings==
The show's ratings increased steadily for several years after its debut, reaching their highest point in the fifth season. Ratings entered into a period of decline after that, never again reaching those heights, but had rebounded enough by the early 1990s to make the 1992–93 season the fifth-highest rated in the show's history. Since then, ratings have trended steadily lower. As of 2018, thirteen of the show's lowest-rated seasons occurred in the 2000s. The show's ratings have often experienced temporary spikes during U.S. presidential election years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonifitzgerald/2018/11/17/which-saturday-night-live-cast-delivers-the-best-ratings-in-44-seasons/|title=Which 'Saturday Night Live' Cast Delivers The Best Ratings In 44 Seasons?|last=Fitzgerald|first=Toni|access-date= 7 May 2021|website=[[Forbes]]|date=17 November 2018}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! Season
! Episodes
! Start date
! End date
! Viewers (Mil.)
! Overall rating<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetvratingsguide.com/2020/01/saturday-night-live-ratings-1975-2017.html|title=The TV Ratings Guide|access-date=19 January 2020}}</ref>
! 18–49 rating
|-
| color1 = #00B300 | 1975–76
| style="text-align:center" | 24
| style="text-align:center" | October 11, 1975
| style="text-align:center" | July 31, 1976
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="12" | N/A
| style="text-align:center" | 6.4
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="12" | N/A
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1976–77
| style="text-align:center" | 22
| style="text-align:center" | September 18, 1976
| style="text-align:center" | May 21, 1977
| style="text-align:center" | 7.9
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1977–78
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="3" | 20
| style="text-align:center" | September 24, 1977
| style="text-align:center" | May 20, 1978
| style="text-align:center" | 9.8
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1978–79
| style="text-align:center" | October 7, 1978
| style="text-align:center" | May 26, 1979
| style="text-align:center" | 13.1
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1979–80
| style="text-align:center" | October 13, 1979
| style="text-align:center" | May 24, 1980
| style="text-align:center" | 13.5
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1980–81
| style="text-align:center" | 13
| style="text-align:center" | November 15, 1980
| style="text-align:center" | April 11, 1981
| style="text-align:center" | 9.5
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1981–82
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | 20
| style="text-align:center" | October 3, 1981
| style="text-align:center" | May 22, 1982
| style="text-align:center" | 8.0
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1982–83
| style="text-align:center" | September 25, 1982
| style="text-align:center" | May 14, 1983
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | 7.4
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1983–84
| style="text-align:center" | 19
| style="text-align:center" | October 8, 1983
| style="text-align:center" | May 12, 1984
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1984–85
| style="text-align:center" | 17
| style="text-align:center" | October 6, 1984
| style="text-align:center" | April 13, 1985
| style="text-align:center" | 7.5
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1985–86
| style="text-align:center" | 18
| style="text-align:center" | November 9, 1985
| style="text-align:center" | May 24, 1986
| style="text-align:center" | 7.1
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1986–87
| style="text-align:center" | 20
| style="text-align:center" | October 11, 1986
| style="text-align:center" | May 23, 1987
| style="text-align:center" | 7.6
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1987–88
| style="text-align:center" | 13
| style="text-align:center" | October 17, 1987
| style="text-align:center" | February 27, 1988
| style="text-align:center" | 11.77
| style="text-align:center" | 8.4
| style="text-align:center" | 6.4
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1988–89
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="10" | 20
| style="text-align:center" | October 8, 1988
| style="text-align:center" | May 20, 1989
| style="text-align:center" | 10.73
| style="text-align:center" | 7.9
| style="text-align:center" | 5.5
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1989–90
| style="text-align:center" | September 30, 1989
| style="text-align:center" | May 19, 1990
| style="text-align:center" | 11.09
| style="text-align:center" | 8.1
| style="text-align:center" | 5.8
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1990–91
| style="text-align:center" | September 29, 1990
| style="text-align:center" | May 18, 1991
| style="text-align:center" | 10.55
| style="text-align:center" | 7.5
| style="text-align:center" | 5.7
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1991–92
| style="text-align:center" | September 28, 1991
| style="text-align:center" | May 16, 1992
| style="text-align:center" | 12.37
| style="text-align:center" | 8.8
| style="text-align:center" | 6.8
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1992–93
| style="text-align:center" | September 26, 1992
| style="text-align:center" | May 15, 1993
| style="text-align:center" | 12.67
| style="text-align:center" | 9.2
| style="text-align:center" | 7.1
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1993–94
| style="text-align:center" | September 25, 1993
| style="text-align:center" | May 14, 1994
| style="text-align:center" | 11.32
| style="text-align:center" | 8.2
| style="text-align:center" | 6.3
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1994–95
| style="text-align:center" | September 24, 1994
| style="text-align:center" | May 13, 1995
| style="text-align:center" | 9.87
| style="text-align:center" | 7.2
| style="text-align:center" | 5.4
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1995–96
| style="text-align:center" | September 30, 1995
| style="text-align:center" | May 18, 1996
| style="text-align:center" | 7.40
| style="text-align:center" | 5.6
| style="text-align:center" | 3.8
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1996–97
| style="text-align:center" | September 28, 1996
| style="text-align:center" | May 17, 1997
| style="text-align:center" | 9.08
| style="text-align:center" | 6.7
| style="text-align:center" | 4.8
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1997–98
| style="text-align:center" | September 27, 1997
| style="text-align:center" | May 9, 1998
| style="text-align:center" | 9.18
| style="text-align:center" | 6.6
| style="text-align:center" | 5.0
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1998–99
| style="text-align:center" | 19
| style="text-align:center" | September 26, 1998
| style="text-align:center" | May 15, 1999
| style="text-align:center" | 8.44
| style="text-align:center" | 6.1
| style="text-align:center" | 4.5
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 1999–00
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="6" | 20
| style="text-align:center" | October 2, 1999
| style="text-align:center" | May 20, 2000
| style="text-align:center" | 8.32
| style="text-align:center" | 6.0
| style="text-align:center" | 4.4
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2000–01
| style="text-align:center" | October 7, 2000
| style="text-align:center" | May 19, 2001
| style="text-align:center" | 8.88
| style="text-align:center" | 6.2
| style="text-align:center" | 4.6
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2001–02
| style="text-align:center" | September 29, 2001
| style="text-align:center" | May 18, 2002
| style="text-align:center" | 8.78
| style="text-align:center" | 5.8
| style="text-align:center" | 4.4
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2002–03
| style="text-align:center" | October 5, 2002
| style="text-align:center" | May 17, 2003
| style="text-align:center" | 8.34
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | 5.5
| style="text-align:center" | 4.1
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2003–04
| style="text-align:center" | October 4, 2003
| style="text-align:center" | May 15, 2004
| style="text-align:center" | 8.09
| style="text-align:center" | 3.8
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2004–05
| style="text-align:center" | October 2, 2004
| style="text-align:center" | May 21, 2005
| style="text-align:center" | 7.47
| style="text-align:center" | 5.1
| style="text-align:center" | 3.6
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2005–06
| style="text-align:center" | 19
| style="text-align:center" | October 1, 2005
| style="text-align:center" | May 20, 2006
| style="text-align:center" | 6.96
| style="text-align:center" | 4.7
| style="text-align:center" | 3.2
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2006–07
| style="text-align:center" | 20
| style="text-align:center" | September 30, 2006
| style="text-align:center" | May 19, 2007
| style="text-align:center" | 6.90
| style="text-align:center" | 4.6
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | 3.0
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2007–08
| style="text-align:center" | 12
| style="text-align:center" | September 29, 2007
| style="text-align:center" | May 17, 2008
| style="text-align:center" | 6.87
| style="text-align:center" | 4.5
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2008–09
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="4" | 22
| style="text-align:center" | September 13, 2008
| style="text-align:center" | May 16, 2009
| style="text-align:center" | 9.17
| style="text-align:center" | 5.8
| style="text-align:center" | 3.9
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2009–10
| style="text-align:center" | September 26, 2009
| style="text-align:center" | May 15, 2010
| style="text-align:center" | 8.41
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | 5.2
| style="text-align:center" | 3.5
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2010–11
| style="text-align:center" | September 25, 2010
| style="text-align:center" | May 21, 2011
| style="text-align:center" | 8.46
| style="text-align:center" | 3.4
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2011–12
| style="text-align:center" | September 24, 2011
| style="text-align:center" | May 19, 2012
| style="text-align:center" | 8.38
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | 5.4
| style="text-align:center" | 3.3
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2012–13
| style="text-align:center" rowspan="7" | 21
| style="text-align:center" | September 15, 2012
| style="text-align:center" | May 18, 2013
| style="text-align:center" | 8.31
| style="text-align:center" | 3.4
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2013–14
| style="text-align:center" | September 28, 2013
| style="text-align:center" | May 17, 2014
| style="text-align:center" | 8.37
| style="text-align:center" | 5.2
| style="text-align:center" | 3.3
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2014–15
| style="text-align:center" | September 27, 2014
| style="text-align:center" | May 16, 2015
| style="text-align:center" | 7.42
| style="text-align:center" | 4.6
| style="text-align:center" | 2.7
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2015–16
| style="text-align:center" | October 3, 2015
| style="text-align:center" | May 21, 2016
| style="text-align:center" | 8.70
| style="text-align:center" | 4.9
| style="text-align:center" | 2.9
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2016–17
| style="text-align:center" | October 1, 2016
| style="text-align:center" | May 20, 2017
| style="text-align:center" | 11.00
| style="text-align:center" | 5.6
| style="text-align:center" | 3.5
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2017–18
| style="text-align:center" | September 29, 2017
| style="text-align:center" | May 19, 2018
| style="text-align:center" | 7.55
| style="text-align:center" | N/A
| style="text-align:center" | N/A
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2018–19
| style="text-align:center" | September 29, 2018
| style="text-align:center" | May 18, 2019
| style="text-align:center" | N/A
| style="text-align:center" | N/A
| style="text-align:center" | N/A
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2019–20
| style="text-align:center" | 18
| style="text-align:center" | September 28, 2019
| style="text-align:center" | May 9, 2020
| style="text-align:center" | N/A
| style="text-align:center" | N/A
| style="text-align:center" | 1.5
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2020–21
| style="text-align:center" | 20
| style="text-align:center" | October 3, 2020
| style="text-align:center" | May 22, 2021
| style="text-align:center" | 
| style="text-align:center" | 
| style="text-align:center" | 
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2021–22
| style="text-align:center" | 21
| style="text-align:center" | October 2, 2021
| style="text-align:center" | May 21, 2022
| style="text-align:center" | 
| style="text-align:center" | 
| style="text-align:center" | 
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2022–23
| style="text-align:center" | 18
| style="text-align:center" | October 1, 2022
| style="text-align:center" | April 15, 2023
| style="text-align:center" | 
| style="text-align:center" | 
| style="text-align:center" | 
|-
| style="text-align:center" | 2023–24
| style="text-align:center" | 20
| style="text-align:center" | October 14, 2023
| style="text-align:center" | May 18, 2024
| style="text-align:center" |
| style="text-align:center" | 
| style="text-align:center" | 
|}

==Reception==
In 2002 ''SNL'' was ranked tenth on [[TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|''TV Guide''{{'}}s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time]],<ref name="tvguidebestsnl">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tv-guide-names-top-50-shows/|title=TV Guide names Top 50 shows|access-date=November 23, 2009|publisher=Associated Press/CBS News|date=April 26, 2002|archive-date=February 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207123427/https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/04/26/entertainment/main507388.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> while in 2007 it was honored with inclusion on ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's list of "100 Best TV Shows of All-''TIME''".<ref name="AwardTime100">{{cite news |url=https://time.com/collection/all-time-100-tv-shows/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028100904/http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1651341_1659192_1652529,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 28, 2007 |title=All-TIME 100 TV Shows|first=James |last=Poniewozik |author-link=James Poniewozik |magazine=Time |access-date=January 8, 2022 | date=September 6, 2007}}</ref>

In June 2013 the show was placed at number 25 on the list of the 101 best written shows of all time by the [[Writers Guild of America]], assessing series from the previous seventy years.<ref name="2013WGABestever">{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list-512061/ |title='101 Best Written TV Series of All Time' From WGA/TV Guide: Complete List |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 2, 2013 |access-date=June 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607063617/http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list/ |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2013, ''TV Guide'' ranked it #18 on their list of the 60 Greatest Shows of All Time.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fretts |first1=Bruce |last2=Roush |first2=Matt |title=The Greatest Shows on Earth |journal=TV Guide |volume=61 |issue=3194–3195 |pages=16–19 }}</ref> A 2015 ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' survey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named ''SNL'' as their #7 favorite show.<ref name="thr20150916">{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/friends-hollywoods-100-favorite-tv-821361 |title=Hollywood's 100 Favorite TV Shows |date=2015-09-16 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=2019-07-17 |language=en |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717030112/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-tv-shows-ever-top-819499/item/friends-hollywoods-100-favorite-tv-821361 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is currently the longest running sketch comedy show on television.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nunan |first1=Tom |title=FORBES BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD & ENTERTAINMENT Saturday Night Live, America's Longest Running Sketch Variety Show, Posts #1 Comedy Ranking |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomnunan/2021/01/29/saturday-night-live-americas-longest-running-sketch-variety-show-posts-1-comedy-ranking/ |work=Forbes}}</ref>

In 2016 a ''[[New York Times]]'' study of the fifty television shows with the most [[Facebook like]]s found that ''SNL'' "is very much an urban show. It is most popular in cities throughout the country, and college towns. [[Amherst, Massachusetts|Amherst, Mass.]]; [[Madison, Wisconsin|Madison, Wis.]]; and [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca, N.Y.]] are all among the top{{spaces}}10."<ref name="katz20161227">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html |title='Duck Dynasty' vs. 'Modern Family': 50 Maps of the U.S. Cultural Divide |last=Katz |first=Josh |date=December 27, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=February 20, 2017 |archive-date=March 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170329083111/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/26/upshot/duck-dynasty-vs-modern-family-television-maps.html?_r=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some critics have cautioned that the show is too dependent upon visiting guest actors and former ''SNL'' cast members{{snd}}particularly for its impersonations of prominent politicians in the [[2020 U.S. Presidential Election]] races{{snd}}and is beginning to have difficulty producing relevant, truly funny content.<ref name="can_we_joke_2020_10_05_time_com">{{cite magazine |last=Berman |first=Judy |url=https://time.com/5896549/snl-late-night-trump-covid-19/ |title=Can We Joke About the President Having COVID-19? Late-Night Comedy Can't Decide |date=October 5, 2020 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203163040/https://time.com/5896549/snl-late-night-trump-covid-19/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="jim_carrey_problem_2020_10_18_vanity_fair">{{cite news |last=Valby |first=Karen |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/10/snl-jim-carrey-biden-issa-rae |title='Saturday Night Live' Has a Jim Carrey Problem |date=October 18, 2020 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |access-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-date=December 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220211045/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/10/snl-jim-carrey-biden-issa-rae |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="biden_impersonation_2020_10_30_wash_post">{{cite news |last=Cavna |first=Michael |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/10/31/jim-carrey-biden-snl-saturday-night-live/ |title=Why Jim Carrey's Biden impersonation on SNL isn't quite catching on |date=October 30, 2020 |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |access-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121210752/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/10/31/jim-carrey-biden-snl-saturday-night-live/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="joe_biden_won_2020_11_12_latimes_com">{{cite news |last=Ali |first=Lorraine |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-11-12/snl-jim-carrey-joe-biden |title=Commentary: Joe Biden won the election, but Jim Carrey's impression of him is 'SNL' fans' loss |date=November 12, 2020 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128053133/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-11-12/snl-jim-carrey-joe-biden |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="meaning_of_snl_2020_11_12_npr_org">{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Aisha |last2=with [[Tobin Low]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/11/933871683/the-meaning-of-snl-in-2020 |title=The Meaning Of 'SNL' in 2020 |work=[[National Public Radio]] |access-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-date=October 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021102912/https://www.npr.org/2020/11/11/933871683/the-meaning-of-snl-in-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' ranked ''Saturday Night Live'' #15 on its list of the 100 greatest TV shows of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/|title=The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|work=Variety|date=December 20, 2023|access-date=December 21, 2023|archive-date=December 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220162853/https://variety.com/lists/greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Saturday Night Live|l1 = List of awards and nominations received by ''Saturday Night Live''}}
''Saturday Night Live'' has won numerous awards since its debut, including 113 [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s,<ref>{{cite web |title=Saturday Night Live - Emmy Awards, Nominations and Wins |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/saturday-night-live |access-date=October 11, 2022 |work=[[emmys.com]] |archive-date=July 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730124820/https://www.emmys.com/shows/saturday-night-live |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Beachum |first=Chris |date=2025-09-08 |title='Saturday Night Live' wins 113th Emmy to shatter its own all-time record |url=https://www.goldderby.com/tv/2025/saturday-night-live-emmy-record-wins-snl/ |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=Gold Derby |language=en-US}}</ref> six [[Writers Guild of America Award]]s,<ref>{{cite web |title=Writers Guild Awards |url=http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517 |website=[[Writers Guild of America Awards]] |publisher=[[Writers Guild of America West]] |access-date=June 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503095751/http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517 |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and three [[Peabody Award]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peabody.uga.edu/winners/PeabodyWinnersBook.pdf |title=George Foster Peabody award winners |access-date=November 23, 2009 |publisher=National Association of Broadcasters |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726163315/http://www.peabody.uga.edu/winners/PeabodyWinnersBook.pdf |archive-date=July 26, 2011 }}</ref> In 2009 it received a total of thirteen Emmy nominations for a lifetime total of 126, breaking the record for the most award-nominated show in Primetime Emmy Award history, previously set with 124 by hospital drama ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]''.<ref name="AwardsRecordEmmy">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2010/07/with-13-additional-emmy-nomina.php |title=With 13 Additional Emmy Nominations, 'Saturday Night Live' Breaks Record as Most Nominated Show in Awards Program's History |magazine=TVWeek |access-date=November 6, 2010 |archive-date=March 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304134045/http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2010/07/with-13-additional-emmy-nomina.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="AwardsRecordEmmy2">{{cite news | url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/08/saturday-night-live-breaks-an-emmy-record-and-lorne-michaels-is-cool-with-that/?ref=television | work=The New York Times | title=''Saturday Night Live'' Breaks an Emmy Record, and Lorne Michaels Is Cool With That | first=Dave | last=Itzkoff | author-link=Dave Itzkoff | date=July 8, 2010 | access-date=May 5, 2014 | archive-date=July 18, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718054151/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/08/saturday-night-live-breaks-an-emmy-record-and-lorne-michaels-is-cool-with-that/?ref=television | url-status=live }}</ref> As of September 2022, it has received a record total of 305 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. In 2025, the show broke its own record by winning 11 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, bringing the total number of Emmy Awards to 113.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beachum |first=Chris |date=2025-09-08 |title='Saturday Night Live' wins 112th Emmy to shatter its own all-time record |url=https://www.goldderby.com/tv/2025/saturday-night-live-emmy-record-wins-snl/ |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=Gold Derby |language=en-US}}</ref>

Twenty-five cast members have received individual Primetime Emmy Award nominations in the show's history. These nominations were mostly in the category of [[Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program|Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program]] before that award was discontinued; since then, nominations have been in the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series|Supporting Actor]] and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series|Supporting Actress]] categories for comedy series. Of the 54 total nominations for these twenty-five performers, four have won: [[Chevy Chase]] (1976), [[Gilda Radner]] (1978), [[Dana Carvey]] (1993), and [[Kate McKinnon]] (2016, 2017). In addition, [[Alec Baldwin]] received two Emmy nominations, winning once in 2017, for his recurring guest role as [[Donald Trump]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldderby.com/article/2017/saturday-night-live-wins-emmys-awards-kate-mckinnon-alec-baldwin-news/|title='Saturday Night Live' wins 4 more Emmys Sunday; extends mind-blowing Emmy series record for wins to 64|last=Beachum|first=Chris|date=September 17, 2017|publisher=[[Gold Derby]]|access-date=September 17, 2017|archive-date=September 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920143548/http://www.goldderby.com/article/2017/saturday-night-live-wins-emmys-awards-kate-mckinnon-alec-baldwin-news/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Electoral effect===
''SNL'' has affected American elections, most commonly presidential elections. Voters have reported that political sketches shown on the program influenced them in the voting booth. The so-called "''SNL'' Effect" was observed during the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential campaign]], according to Mike Dabadie. Two-thirds of voters who responded to a poll said they had seen a broadcast of politically charged content on ''SNL'', with ten percent saying it had made a difference in their decision. [[Barack Obama]] was the beneficiary of the political content, with 59 percent saying they did in fact cast a vote for the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] then-nominee.<ref name="ImpactGeneral">{{cite news |first1=John |last1=Fitzpatrick |title=The SNL Effect: 'Saturday Night Live' Political Skits Make Real Impact on Voters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2008/11/05/idUS255618+05-Nov-2008+PRN20081105 |publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]] |work=[[Reuters]] |date=November 5, 2008 |access-date=August 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228223041/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/11/05/idUS255618+05-Nov-2008+PRN20081105 |archive-date=February 28, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Chevy Chase's bumbling impression of then-president [[Gerald Ford]] during the 1976 presidential election was cited as an influence on the election, and a quote commonly attributed to 2008 vice-presidential candidate [[Sarah Palin]] stating "I can see Russia from my house" was actually spoken by ''SNL'' cast member Tina Fey while portraying Palin.<ref name="ImpactPalin">{{cite news|first=Tyler |last=Kingkade |title='Saturday Night Live' Political Skits May Sway The Presidential Election, Academics Argue |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/saturday-night-live-political-skits_n_1901761 |work=[[HuffPost]] |date=September 25, 2012 |access-date=August 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302235318/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/21/saturday-night-live-political-skits_n_1901761.html |archive-date=March 2, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The political content was abandoned briefly following the [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001]], terrorist attack in New York, with Amy Poehler saying the writers did not want to produce politicized material.<ref name="THRPolitical">{{cite news|first1=James Andrew |last1=Miller |first2=Tom |last2=Shales |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/snl-political-secrets-revealed-hillarys-726324/ |title='SNL' Political Secrets Revealed: Hillary's "Entitlement", the Sketch Obama Killed and the Show's "Karl Rove" |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 20, 2014 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020145000/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/snl-political-secrets-revealed-hillarys-726324 |archive-date=October 20, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Several politicians have appeared on ''SNL'', including President Gerald Ford (in 1976, during the show's first season), then-Senator Barack Obama (2007), Senator [[John McCain]] (2002 and 2008), Secretary Hillary Clinton (2008 and 2015), and Governor Sarah Palin (2008), who appeared alongside Fey's Palin impression, resulting in the show's largest audience in fourteen years with fourteen million viewers.<ref name="HostPoliticians">{{cite news |first=Dominic |last=Patten |title=No ''SNL'' For Mitt Romney This Season, Says Lorne Michaels |url=https://deadline.com/2012/05/no-snl-for-mitt-romney-this-season-says-lorne-michaels-265520/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=May 2, 2012 |access-date=January 2, 2022 }}</ref><ref name="THRPolitical" /> Senator Obama's appearance occurred in part because Hillary Clinton abandoned her scheduled appearance.<ref name="THRPolitical" /> [[Donald Trump]] hosted the show in 2015,<ref>{{cite episode|title=2|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkLzSLkYnGc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/PkLzSLkYnGc |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=4 October 2020|series=41|series-link=Saturday Night Live (season 41)|network=NBC|date=November 7, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> which was met with controversy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/11/donald-trump-snl-deport-racism-pac-reward-video-1201609250/|title=Donald Trump On 'SNL': Latino PAC Offers Reward To Disrupt Broadcast|last=de Moraes|first=Lisa|access-date=6 October 2020|website=Deadline|date=5 November 2015|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009085108/https://deadline.com/2015/11/donald-trump-snl-deport-racism-pac-reward-video-1201609250/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kamala Harris]], the Democratic Party's nominee for the [[2024 United States presidential election]], made a guest appearance on November 2, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nehamas |first1=Nicholas |last2=Haberman |first2=Maggie |last3=Rogers |first3=Katie |date=2024-11-02 |title=Harris Will Make Surprise Appearance on 'Saturday Night Live' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/02/us/politics/kamala-harris-snl.html |access-date=2024-11-02 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{{Main|List of Saturday Night Live incidents|l1 = List of ''Saturday Night Live'' incidents}}

[[File:Sinead rips into the Pope.jpg|thumb|[[Sinéad O'Connor]] tears apart a picture of [[Pope John Paul II]] during a live ''SNL'' performance.]]

Due to its [[live television|live broadcast]], the show has been the subject of numerous controversies and incidents since its inception, involving controversial performers and content, technical problems, profanities (both intentional and accidental), and joke plagiarism accusations.<ref name=SalonSinead>{{cite news|last1=Tapper|first1=Jake|title=Sin|url=http://www.salon.com/2002/10/12/sinead_3/|access-date=June 19, 2015|work=Salon|date=October 13, 2002|archive-date=June 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619155549/http://www.salon.com/2002/10/12/sinead_3/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=CBSNewsSimpson>{{cite news|last1=Leung|first1=Rebecca|title=Michaels: Lip-Sync An 'SNL' No-No|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michaels-lip-sync-an-snl-no-no/|access-date=July 31, 2024|work=CBS News|date=October 28, 2004|archive-date=March 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306013154/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michaels-lip-sync-an-snl-no-no/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/01/saturday-night-live-sam-rockwell-curse|title=Saturday Night Live: "S—hole" and An Accidental F-Bomb Challenge NBC Censors|first=Katey|last=Rich|website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=January 14, 2018|access-date=July 22, 2018|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707042409/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/01/saturday-night-live-sam-rockwell-curse|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Salon5Plagiarism">{{cite web |last1=Gupta |first1=Prachi |title=5 sketches that "SNL" allegedly plagiarized |url=https://www.salon.com/2014/10/07/5_sketches_that_snl_allegedly_plagiarized/ |website=Salon |access-date=July 31, 2024 |date=October 7, 2014 |archive-date=June 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629123049/https://www.salon.com/2014/10/07/5_sketches_that_snl_allegedly_plagiarized/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

One incident that garnered widespread media coverage was a 1992 appearance by singer [[Sinéad O'Connor]], in which she [[Sinéad O'Connor Saturday Night Live performance|ripped up a photo]] of [[Pope John Paul II]] during her performance in an effort to protest the [[Catholic Church]].<ref name=SalonSinead /><ref name=AVClubSinead>{{cite web|last1=Murray|first1=Noel|title=Inventory: Ten Memorable Saturday Night Live Musical Moments|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/inventory-ten-memorable-isaturday-night-livei-musi-1525|website=A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|access-date=January 22, 2015|date=March 7, 2006|archive-date=January 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123044720/http://www.avclub.com/article/inventory-ten-memorable-isaturday-night-livei-musi-1525|url-status=live}}</ref> This led to hundreds of complaints from viewers and widespread criticism at the time,<ref name="SpokesmanReviewSinéad">{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jlxWAAAAIBAJ&pg=3641%2C4197661 | title=Singer rips pope, shocks audience | access-date=11 March 2011 | date=5 October 1992 | newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]] | page=A4 | archive-date=8 April 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408175828/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jlxWAAAAIBAJ&dq=sinead-o-connor%20saturday-night-live%20pope&pg=3641,4197661 | url-status=live }}</ref> although retrospective opinion of her action has been more positive since the Church's [[Catholic Church sexual abuse cases|cover-up of abuse]] became public many years later.<ref name="SinéadNYT">{{Cite news |last=Hess |first=Amanda |authorlink=Amanda Hess |date=18 May 2021 |title=Sinead O'Connor Remembers Things Differently |language=en |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/18/arts/music/sinead-oconnor-rememberings.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915212515/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/18/arts/music/sinead-oconnor-rememberings.html |archive-date=15 September 2021}}</ref>

Technical issues have also led to major controversies, such as in a widely publicized incident involving singer [[Ashlee Simpson]] in 2004 where she appeared to [[Lip synching|lip sync]] during her second performance, appearing flustered when the wrong song was played.<ref name=NBCTodaySimpson>{{cite news|title=Ashlee Simpson takes 'SNL' lip sync blame|url=http://www.today.com/id/6356035/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/ashlee-simpson-takes-snl-lip-sync-blame|access-date=July 31, 2024|work=TODAY|publisher=NBC News|date=October 28, 2004|archive-date=October 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023142807/http://www.today.com/id/6356035/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/ashlee-simpson-takes-snl-lip-sync-blame|url-status=live}}</ref> Simpson was the only musical performer in the show's history to unexpectedly leave the stage mid-performance, later apologizing for the incident and explaining that she had lost her voice earlier in the week.<ref name=CBSNewsSimpson />

===Representations of minorities===
Over the years, ''SNL'' has been criticized for stereotypical and sparse representation of racial and gender groups. A 2016 study of ''SNL'' episodes from 1975 to 2016 (826 total) revealed over 90% of episodes had white hosts, while 6.8% were black, 1.2% were Hispanic, and 1.1% were of another racial minority.<ref name=":5">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/snl-awkwafina-become-first-asian-woman-host-18-years-1149851|title='SNL': Awkwafina to Become First Asian Woman to Host in 18 Years|last=Kilkenny|first=Katie|date=October 5, 2018|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|language=en|access-date=2019-09-15|archive-date=January 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126094722/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/snl-awkwafina-become-first-asian-woman-host-18-years-1149851|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Chris Rock]] indicated he grew frustrated with being limited to sketches where he played stereotypical roles such as a rapper or Black political activist, and left the show to perform on ''[[In Living Color]]'', which featured a mostly Black cast and would offer Rock more creative freedom.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Alexander |first1=Brenda |title=Chris Rock Left 'SNL' For 'In Living Color' Over Frustrations With Stereotypical Material |url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/chris-rock-left-snl-for-in-living-color-over-frustrations-with-stereotypical-material.html/ |website=Showbiz CheatSheet |access-date=20 July 2021 |date=6 June 2020}}</ref> He would later host the show 4 times in 1996, 2014, 2020 and 2024, respectively. When longtime cast member [[Kenan Thompson]] suggested in 2013 that female African-American representation was low because producers were not finding such comedians who were "ready", media outlets countered it was ''SNL'' that was not ready, and the racial disparity "is symptomatic of problems deeply rooted in comedy and the entertainment industry at large".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gennis |first1=Sadie |title=Kenan Thompson Blames SNL's Diversity Issue on Lack of Talented Black Comediennes |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/snl-diversity-issue-kenan-thompson-1072056/ |website=TV Guide |access-date=3 January 2020 |date=14 October 2013 |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015023051/https://www.tvguide.com/News/SNL-Diversity-Issue-Kenan-Thompson-1072056.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kerry |first1=Coddett |title=The Real Problem With SNL and Casting Black Women |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/11/the-real-problem-with-snl-and-casting-black-women/281280/ |website=The Atlantic |access-date=3 January 2020 |date=8 November 2013}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/09/the-remarkable-rise-of-tiffany-haddish/538872/|title=The Remarkable Rise of Tiffany Haddish|last=Jeffries|first=Michael P.|date=September 7, 2017|website=[[The Atlantic]]|language=en-US|access-date=December 9, 2019|archive-date=December 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209224024/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/09/the-remarkable-rise-of-tiffany-haddish/538872/|url-status=live}}</ref> Thompson also refused to play any more black women on the show and demanded ''SNL'' hire black women instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/snls-kenan-thompson-refuses-to-dress-in-drag-until-the-show-hires-a-black-woman-2013-10|title='SNL's' Kenan Thompson Refuses To Dress In Drag Until The Show Hires A Black Woman|last=Weisman|first=Aly|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-03-05|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030185106/https://www.businessinsider.com/snls-kenan-thompson-refuses-to-dress-in-drag-until-the-show-hires-a-black-woman-2013-10|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.glamour.com/story/history-of-women-on-saturday-night-live|title=16 Times Women Changed the Game on 'Saturday Night Live'|website=Glamour|date=June 27, 2018|access-date=2019-03-05|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113102959/https://www.glamour.com/story/history-of-women-on-saturday-night-live|url-status=live}}</ref>

''SNL'' has had "little representation from Asian actors, as cast members or hosts", in its run.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/17/bowen-yang-joins-snl-recurring-cast-in-season-45.html|title=Before his historic promotion to the SNL stage, Bowen Yang was voted 'most likely to be a cast member on Saturday Night Live' in high school|last=Liu|first=Jennifer|date=September 17, 2019|website=[[CNBC]]|language=en|access-date=September 19, 2019|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308032115/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/17/bowen-yang-joins-snl-recurring-cast-in-season-45.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/12/arts/television/snl-asian-bowen-yang.html|title='S.N.L.' Has Long Lacked Asian Players. One Just Joined the Cast.|last=Coleman|first=Nancy|date=September 12, 2019|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=September 15, 2019}}</ref> Until [[Bowen Yang]]'s 2019 promotion from writer to on-air performer, there had been only three people of Asian descent in the cast: [[Fred Armisen]] (2002–2013) had a Korean grandfather; [[Rob Schneider]] (1988–1994) had a [[Filipino people|Filipina]] grandmother; and [[Nasim Pedrad]] (2009–2014) was born in [[Tehran]], [[Iran]].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Pfefferman|first=Naomi|url=https://18doors.org/a_conversation_with_rob_schneider/|title=InterfaithFamily.com|date=January 12, 2009|publisher=[[InterfaithFamily]]|access-date=October 4, 2012|archive-date=May 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514094254/https://18doors.org/a_conversation_with_rob_schneider/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the first forty-seven seasons, the show had seven hosts who were of Asian descent.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name="TChan">{{Cite news|url= https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/bowen-yang-shane-gillis-saturday-night-live-controversy-884888/|last= Chan|first= Tim|date= September 16, 2019|title= 'SNL' Hired Bowen Yang, But It Still Has a Diversity Problem|magazine= [[Rolling Stone]]|access-date= September 17, 2019|archive-date= September 18, 2019|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190918053736/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/bowen-yang-shane-gillis-saturday-night-live-controversy-884888/|url-status= live}}</ref>

[[Denny Dillon]] was the first gay cast member in the 1980–81 season, but was [[Closeted|in the closet]] at the time. So was Danitra Vance, who was the first Black lesbian cast member in the 11th season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Every LGBTQ+ cast member in Saturday Night Live history |url=https://www.out.com/comedy/saturday-night-live-history-lgbtq-stars |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=www.out.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Terry Sweeney]] was ''SNL''{{'}}s first [[Coming out|openly gay]] male cast member, appearing in the 1985–1986 season. Sweeney was also the first openly gay series regular on network television.{{Sfn|Shales|Miller|2015|p=295}}<ref>*{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/03/snl-alec-baldwin-gay-cast-members-in-closet-1201941198/|title='Saturday Night Live': Alec Baldwin Says There Have Been Many Gay Male Cast Members — They Just Weren't Out|last=Miller|first=Liz Shannon|date=March 19, 2018|website=Indiewire|access-date=September 16, 2019|archive-date=September 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926111317/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/03/snl-alec-baldwin-gay-cast-members-in-closet-1201941198/|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|title=Uncommon Heroes: A Celebration of Heroes and Role Models for Gay and Lesbian Americans|last=Sherman|first=Phillip|publisher=Fletcher Press|year=1994|editor-last=Bernstein|editor-first=Samuel}}</ref> Bowen Yang is the sixth LGBTQ cast member, hired in 2019. Numerous news outlets noted the disconnect of Michaels hiring Yang, an out gay Chinese-American cast member, at the same time as [[Shane Gillis]], who was found to have aired what was perceived as homophobic and [[Anti-Asian racism in the United States|anti-Asian]] jokes and slurs on his podcast.<ref>* {{cite web |last=Sims |first=David |date=September 13, 2019 |title='Saturday Night Live' Made a Mistake Hiring Shane Gillis |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/09/saturday-night-live-cant-ignore-its-shane-gillis-problem/598033/ |access-date=2019-09-13 |website=[[The Atlantic]] |language=en-US |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515171731/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/09/saturday-night-live-cant-ignore-its-shane-gillis-problem/598033/ |url-status=live }}
* {{cite web |last=Ho |first=Vivian |date=September 13, 2019 |title=SNL adds first Asian cast member while another is under fire over anti-Asian slur |url=https://theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/12/snl-bowen-yang-shane-gillis-asian-slur |access-date=September 13, 2019 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919040726/https://theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/12/snl-bowen-yang-shane-gillis-asian-slur |url-status=live }}
* {{cite web |date=2019-09-12 |title=New 'SNL' cast member Shane Gillis responds after video of racist slur resurfaces |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-09-12/snl-shane-gillis-racial-slur-matt-and-shane-secret-podcast |access-date=2019-09-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515171731/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-09-12/snl-shane-gillis-racial-slur-matt-and-shane-secret-podcast |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite news |last=Wright |first=Megh |date=September 13, 2019 |title=New SNL Hire Shane Gillis Has a History of Racist and Homophobic Remarks |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/snl-shane-gillis-racist-homophobic-remarks.html |access-date=September 13, 2014 |work=Vulture |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516041950/https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/snl-shane-gillis-racist-homophobic-remarks.html |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite news |last1=Thorne |first1=Will |last2=Low |first2=Elaine |date=September 13, 2019 |title=New 'SNL' Cast Member Shane Gillis Uses Racist, Sexist, Homophobic Remarks in Resurfaced Material |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/shane-gillis-snl-racial-slur-saturday-night-live-nbc-1203334216/ |access-date=September 13, 2019 |work=Variety |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515171732/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/shane-gillis-snl-racial-slur-saturday-night-live-nbc-1203334216/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="using">{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Sophie |date=September 13, 2019 |title=New "SNL" cast member Shane Gillis exposed in videos using racist and homophobic slurs |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-snl-cast-member-shane-gillis-exposed-in-videos-using-racist-and-homophobic-slurs/ |access-date=September 13, 2019 |website=[[CBS News]] |language=en-US |archive-date=May 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515171731/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-snl-cast-member-shane-gillis-exposed-in-videos-using-racist-and-homophobic-slurs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Within days, a spokesperson for Michaels announced Gillis was fired due to the controversy.<ref name="using" /> Later, Gillis went on to host ''SNL'' in 2024 during the 49th season,<ref name="GillisHostSNL">{{cite web |last1=Deggans |first1=Eric |title=Shane Gillis struggles in a 'Saturday Night Live' monologue that avoids the obvious |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/02/25/1233584316/shane-gillis-struggles-in-a-saturday-night-live-monologue-which-avoids-the-obvio |website=NPR |access-date=August 2, 2024 |date=February 25, 2024 |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409080325/https://www.npr.org/2024/02/25/1233584316/shane-gillis-struggles-in-a-saturday-night-live-monologue-which-avoids-the-obvio |url-status=live }}</ref> and again in 2025 during the 50th season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Valby|first=Karen|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/shane-gillis-bombs-on-return-to-saturday-night-live|title=Shane Gillis Bombs On Return to 'Saturday Night Live'|website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=March 2, 2025|access-date=April 23, 2025}}</ref> [[Molly Kearney]] became the first openly [[non-binary]] cast member in 2022.<ref name="kearney-nbc-15sep2022">{{cite news |last1=Yurcaba |first1=Jo |date=September 15, 2022 |title='Saturday Night Live' announces its first nonbinary cast member |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-pop-culture/saturday-night-live-announces-first-nonbinary-cast-member-rcna47993 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |work=[[NBC News]] |archive-date=September 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916033933/https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-pop-culture/saturday-night-live-announces-first-nonbinary-cast-member-rcna47993 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Melissa Villaseñor]] joined as a featured player on the October 1, 2016, episode of ''SNL''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Greg|date=October 2, 2016|title='SNL' Surprise: Newcomers Mikey Day, Alex Moffat & Melissa Villaseñor Actually Make Good, Strong Impressions|url=https://deadline.com/2016/10/snl-debut-newcomers-mikey-day-alex-moffat-melissa-villasenor-1201829645/|access-date=August 6, 2021|website=Deadline|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721094433/https://deadline.com/2016/10/snl-debut-newcomers-mikey-day-alex-moffat-melissa-villasenor-1201829645/|url-status=live}}</ref> Villaseñor was the second Latina cast member after [[Noël Wells]], who is a quarter Mexican,<ref>{{cite web|last=Romero|first=Dennis|date=September 12, 2016|title=SNL Hires its First Latina Cast Member, and She's From L.A.|url=https://www.laweekly.com/snl-hires-its-first-latina-cast-member-and-shes-from-l-a/|access-date=August 6, 2021|website=LA Weekly|archive-date=July 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719140332/https://www.laweekly.com/snl-hires-its-first-latina-cast-member-and-shes-from-l-a/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the first Latina to be promoted to repertory status.<ref>{{cite web|last=Villafañe|first=Veronica|date=September 30, 2016|title=SNL Starts New Season With Debut Of First Latina Cast Member, Latino Writer And Lin-Manuel Miranda|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/veronicavillafane/2016/09/30/snl-starts-new-season-with-debut-of-first-latina-cast-member-latino-writer-and-lin-manuel-miranda/?sh=3bf7124a7ccc|access-date=August 6, 2021|website=Forbes|archive-date=August 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806175039/https://www.forbes.com/sites/veronicavillafane/2016/09/30/snl-starts-new-season-with-debut-of-first-latina-cast-member-latino-writer-and-lin-manuel-miranda/?sh=3bf7124a7ccc|url-status=live}}</ref>

==In other media==
===Home media===
{{Main|List of Saturday Night Live home video releases|l1 = List of ''Saturday Night Live'' home video releases}}

[[Universal Studios Home Entertainment]] and [[Lions Gate Entertainment]] hold video rights to the series. Universal has issued complete season DVD sets of the first few seasons, while Lionsgate's share of the rights is a result of prior contracts with NBC signed before the [[NBC Universal]] merger. A majority of Lionsgate's SNL DVDs are "Best Of{{spaces}}..." compilations.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}

===Books===
''Saturday Night Live'', the first authorized book about the series, was published by [[Avon (publishers)|Avon Books]] in 1977 and edited by [[Anne Beatts]] and John Head, with photography by Edie Baskin;{{sfn|Beatts|Head|1977}} all three worked for ''SNL'' at the time the book was published. The oversized illustrated paperback included the scripts for several sketches by the 1975–80 cast.<ref>[http://www.dailyllama.com/spam/books/idle.html Eric Idle Books] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208142212/http://www.dailyllama.com/spam/books/idle.html |date=December 8, 2020 }} from dailyllama.com</ref> In 1986 Doug Hill and Jeff Weingrad authored ''Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live'', a behind-the-scenes look at the first ten seasons.{{sfn|Hill|Weingrad|1986}} ''Saturday Night Live: The First Twenty Years'', by Michael Cader, was released in 1994 and presented information about the cast, characters, and other memorable moments seen on the show from 1975 to 1994.{{sfn|Cader|1994}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Fretts |first=Bruce |date=1994-10-07 |title=Book Review: 'Saturday Night Live: The First Twenty Years' |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/10/07/book-review-saturday-night-live-first-twenty-years/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412114047/https://ew.com/article/1994/10/07/book-review-saturday-night-live-first-twenty-years/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, as Told By Its Stars, Writers and Guests'' was released in 2002. The book, written by [[Tom Shales]] and James Andrew Miller, consists of interviews with people who have worked on the show. The interviews reveal personal experiences from what happened backstage and the difficulty of getting the show on air each week.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Sullivan |first1=William |date=January 4, 2003 |title=Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, Definitive record of an enduring creative work |work=Washingtonian |url=http://www.washingtonian.com/bookreviews/50.html |access-date=April 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521100155/http://www.washingtonian.com/bookreviews/50.html |archive-date=May 21, 2011}}</ref> In 2004 former cast member [[Jay Mohr]] released his memoir ''[[Gasping for Airtime: Two Years in the Trenches of Saturday Night Live]]''{{sfn|Mohr|2004}} about his struggles during his two seasons on the show between 1993 and 1995, dealing with getting sketches on-air and the intense work schedule. Former cast member [[Bobby Moynihan]] described the book as "a handbook on what NOT to do at ''SNL''".<ref name="BookMohr1">{{cite news |first=Mike| last=Ryan| url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2009/02/26/snl_s_bobby_moynihan_discusses_working_w?page=2|title='SNL's' Bobby Moynihan Discusses Working with Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, James Franco And More |publisher=Starpulse |access-date=January 26, 2012 | date=February 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301004850/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2009/02/26/snl_s_bobby_moynihan_discusses_working_w?page=2|archive-date=March 1, 2014| url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Films===
{{Main|List of Saturday Night Live feature films|l1 = List of ''Saturday Night Live'' feature films}}

''SNL'' has made several efforts to develop some of the more popular sketches into feature-length films, with varying degrees of commercial and critical success. The first foray into film came with the successful Aykroyd and Belushi vehicle, ''[[The Blues Brothers (film)|The Blues Brothers]]'' (1980), which earned over $115{{spaces}}million on a $27{{spaces}}million budget.<ref name="BOMBlues">{{cite web|title=The Blues Brothers|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]]|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bluesbrothers.htm|access-date=December 16, 2008|archive-date=July 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707115719/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bluesbrothers.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1990 Michaels oversaw the writing of a sketch anthology feature film titled ''The Saturday Night Live Movie'' with many of the show's then-current writing staff, including [[Al Franken]], [[Tom Davis (comedian)|Tom Davis]], [[Greg Daniels]], [[Jim Downey (comedian)|Jim Downey]], [[Conan O'Brien]], [[Robert Smigel]], and [[George Meyer]], contributing. The screenplay only got as far as a Revised First Draft dated July 26, 1990, before being abandoned.<ref>[http://www.filmbuffonline.com/FBOLNewsreel/wordpress/2012/07/06/script-review-the-saturday-night-live-movie/ Script Review: THE SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE MOVIE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127111212/http://www.filmbuffonline.com/FBOLNewsreel/wordpress/2012/07/06/script-review-the-saturday-night-live-movie/ |date=November 27, 2020 }} from filmbuffonline.com</ref>

The success of ''[[Wayne's World (film)|Wayne's World]]'' (1992) encouraged Michaels to produce more film spin-offs, based on several popular sketch characters. Michaels revived 1970s characters for ''[[Coneheads (film)|Coneheads]]'' (1993), followed by ''[[It's Pat]]'' (1994); ''[[Stuart Saves His Family]]'' (1995); ''[[A Night at the Roxbury]]'' (1998), ''[[Superstar (1999 film)|Superstar]]'' (1999), and ''[[The Ladies Man (2000 film)|The Ladies Man]]'' (2000). Some did moderately well, though others did not{{snd}}notably, ''It's Pat'', which did so badly at the box office that the studio that made the film, [[Touchstone Pictures]] (owned by the [[The Walt Disney Company|Walt Disney Company]], which also owns NBC's rival [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]), pulled it only one week after releasing it,<ref>[http://www.filmcritic.com/features/2010/05/snls-bad-boys----top-ten-worst-snlmovies/ Live, From New York, It's the Worst Movies From the Cast of SNL] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527104355/http://www.filmcritic.com/features/2010/05/snls-bad-boys----top-ten-worst-snlmovies/ |date=May 27, 2010}} from filmcritic.com</ref> and ''Stuart Saves His Family'', which lost $14{{spaces}}million. Many of these films were produced by [[Paramount Pictures]]. The films based on ''The Blues Brothers'' were produced by [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]], which merged with NBC in 2004 to form [[NBCUniversal|NBC Universal]] (Universal also has a [[United International Pictures|joint venture]] with Paramount for international distribution of the two studios' films).

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:99%;"
|-
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Film
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Release date<br />(United States)
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Budget<br />(estimated)
! colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| Box office revenue
|-
! style="text-align:center;"| United States
! style="text-align:center;"| Elsewhere
! style="text-align:center;"| Worldwide
|-
| ''[[The Blues Brothers (film)|The Blues Brothers]]'' || {{sort|19800620|June 20, 1980}} || $27 million || $57,229,890 ||$58,000,000 || {{sort|115229890|$115,229,890}}
|-
| ''[[Wayne's World (film)|Wayne's World]]'' || {{sort|19920214|February 14, 1992}} || $20 million || $121,697,323 ||$61,400,000 || {{sort|183097323|$183,097,323}}
|-
| ''[[Coneheads (film)|Coneheads]]'' || {{sort|19930723|July 23, 1993}} || $33 million || $21,274,717 || {{n/a}} || {{sort|021274717|$21,274,717}}
|-
| ''[[Wayne's World 2]]'' || {{sort|19931210|December 10, 1993}} || $40 million || $48,197,805 || {{n/a}} || {{sort|048197805|$48,197,805}}
|-
| ''[[It's Pat]]'' || {{sort|19940826|August 26, 1994}} || $8 million<ref>[https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/its-pat-19940922 It's Pat: Julia Sweeney's gender-bending character goes to Hollywood, but can he{{spaces}}... er{{spaces}}... she{{spaces}}... er{{spaces}}... er{{spaces}}... Pat cross over?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819105614/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/its-pat-19940922 |date=August 19, 2017}}, a September 1994 article from ''[[Rolling Stone]]''</ref> || $60,822 || {{n/a}} || {{sort|000060822|$60,822}}
|-
| ''[[Stuart Saves His Family]]'' || {{sort|19950414|April 14, 1995}} || $15 million || $912,082 || || {{sort|000912082|$912,082}}
|-
| ''[[Blues Brothers 2000]]'' || {{sort|19980206|February 6, 1998}} || $28 million || $14,051,384 || {{n/a}} || {{sort|014051384|$14,051,384}}
|-
| ''[[A Night at the Roxbury]]'' || {{sort|19981002|October 2, 1998}} || $17 million || $30,331,165 || {{n/a}} || {{sort|030331165|$30,331,165}}
|-
| ''[[Superstar (1999 film)|Superstar]]'' || {{sort|19991008|October 8, 1999}} || $14 million || $30,636,478 || {{n/a}} || {{sort|030636478|$30,636,478}}
|-
| ''[[The Ladies Man (2000 film)|The Ladies Man]]'' || {{sort|20001013|October 13, 2000}} || $24 million || $13,616,610 || $126,602 || {{sort|013616610|$13,743,212}}
|-
| ''[[MacGruber (film)|MacGruber]]'' || {{sort|20100521|May 21, 2010}} || $10 million || $8,525,600 || $797,295 || {{sort|009259314|$9,259,314}}
|}

The character Bob Roberts from the [[Tim Robbins]] [[Bob Roberts|film of the same title]] (1992) first appeared on ''SNL'' in a short film about the conservative folk singer.

In addition, the 1999 comedy film ''[[Office Space]]'' originated from a series of animated short films by [[Mike Judge]] that aired on ''SNL'' in 1993.<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Fierman | first = Daniel | title = Judge's Dread | magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]] | date = February 26, 1999 | url = https://ew.com/article/1999/02/19/mike-judge-takes-live-action/ | access-date = August 16, 2007 | archive-date = December 11, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201211172326/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,274497,00.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

The fictitious American folk music trio [[The Folksmen]] first appeared on ''SNL'', performing the song "Old Joe's Place" before later appearing in the film ''[[A Mighty Wind]]'' (2002). The three members of the Folksmen were the same three comedians: [[Harry Shearer]], [[Michael McKean]], and [[Christopher Guest]], who also appeared on the same episode as the rock group [[Spinal Tap (band)|Spinal Tap]]. At the time of the appearance (the 1984–85 season), Shearer and Guest were cast members.

''[[Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures]]'' is based on the [[Mr. Bill]] sketches from early seasons of ''SNL''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Howard |date=1986-09-10 |title=The First Arrivals on the Home Front |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-09-10-ca-13190-story.html |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2024, the film ''[[Saturday Night (2024 film)|Saturday Night]]'' was released, about the production of the first ''SNL'' episode to air on October 11, 1975, with [[Gabriel LaBelle]] as Michaels.

===Commercials===
Over the years popular characters from the show have appeared in ad campaigns for an assortment of products.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Sketch referenced
!Product
!Returning actors
!Release date
!Additional notes
|-
|[[Bill Swerski's Superfans]]
|State Farm
|[[Robert Smigel]], [[George Wendt]]
|09/2013<ref>{{cite web|title='Da Bears' Boys of 'SNL' Return to Taunt Aaron Rodgers|url=http://yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/tv-news/--da-bears--boys-of--snl--return-to-taunt-aaron-rodgers--200409095.html|access-date=2021-02-09|website=yahoo.com|date=September 9, 2013 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Coneheads]]
|State Farm
|[[Dan Aykroyd]], [[Jane Curtin]]
|05/2015<ref>{{cite web|title=Ad of the Day: SNL's Coneheads Remake the 'Jake From State Farm' Commercial|date=May 12, 2015|url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/ad-day-snls-coneheads-remake-jake-state-farm-commercial-164694/|access-date=2021-02-09|language=en-US|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919040651/https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/ad-day-snls-coneheads-remake-jake-state-farm-commercial-164694/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Two separate Coneheads commercials in this campaign
|-
|[[Coneheads]]
|Subway
|N/A
|1993
|
|-
|[[I Wish It Was Christmas Today]]
|Acura
|N/A
|11/2014<ref>{{cite web|date=2014-11-28|title=Acura's Got A Commercial With Julian Casablancas Music, Too|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1721533/acuras-got-a-commercial-with-julian-casablancas-music-too/news/|access-date=2021-02-09|website=Stereogum|language=en|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209055952/https://www.stereogum.com/1721533/acuras-got-a-commercial-with-julian-casablancas-music-too/news/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Cover by [[Julian Casablancas]]
|-
|[[Land Shark (Saturday Night Live)|Land Shark]]
|BMW
|N/A
|2003
|
|-
|[[MacGruber]]
|Pepsi
|[[Will Forte]], [[Kristen Wiig]]
|02/1/2009<ref>{{cite web|last=Graham|first=Mark|title=MacGruber Sells Out to Pepsi, Rebrands Himself 'Pepsuber'|url=https://www.vulture.com/2009/02/macgruber_sells_out.html|access-date=2021-02-09|website=Vulture|date=February 2, 2009|language=en-us|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128062209/https://www.vulture.com/2009/02/macgruber_sells_out.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Premiered during Super Bowl XLIII, three commercials total
|-
|[[Mango (Saturday Night Live)|Mango]]
|T by Alexander Wang
|[[Chris Kattan]]
|06/2014<ref>{{cite web|last=Holmes|first=Sally|date=2014-06-03|title=Mango Makes His Hilarious Return for T by Alexander Wang|url=https://www.elle.com/news/fashion-style/mango-t-by-alexander-wang|access-date=2021-02-09|website=ELLE|language=en-US|archive-date=October 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020052323/http://www.elle.com/news/fashion-style/mango-t-by-alexander-wang|url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Mr. Bill]]
|Subway
|[[Walter Williams (comedian filmmaker)|Walter Williams]]
|
|
|-
|[[Mr. Bill]]
|MasterCard
|[[Walter Williams (comedian filmmaker)|Walter Williams]]
|06/2008<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lee|first=Wendy A.|date=2008-06-03|title=Mr. Bill Returns (in One Piece) to Pitch a Debit Card (Published 2008)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/business/media/03adco.html|access-date=2021-02-09|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Mr. Bill]]
|Ramada Inn
|[[Walter Williams (comedian filmmaker)|Walter Williams]]
|2001<ref>{{cite web|title='Oh NOoooooo' Mr. Bill revived by Impax for Ramada|website=Philadelphia Business Journal|date=May 23, 2001 |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2001/05/21/daily25.html|access-date=2021-02-09|archive-date=June 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618191824/https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2001/05/21/daily25.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Mr. Bill]]
|Anti-Drug PSA
|[[Walter Williams (comedian filmmaker)|Walter Williams]]
|1980's
|
|-
|[[Mr. Bill]]
|Burger King
|[[Walter Williams (comedian filmmaker)|Walter Williams]]
|1985
|
|-
|[[Mr. Bill]]
|America's Wetland campaign
|[[Walter Williams (comedian filmmaker)|Walter Williams]]
|2004–2005<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-01-12 |title=Mr. Bill comes to the rescue of Louisiana's disappearing wetlands |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2004/01/12/mr-bill-comes-to-the-rescue-of-louisianas-disappearing-wetlands/28783351007/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US |archive-date=October 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021101052/https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2004/01/12/mr-bill-comes-to-the-rescue-of-louisianas-disappearing-wetlands/28783351007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 
|Ads pulled over Mr. Williams' concern Shell Oil Co. exploited them for positive PR<ref>{{cite web|date=2005-06-12|title=Mr. Bill Says 'Noooo!' to Wetlands Ads|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-12-adna-mrbill12-story.html|access-date=2021-02-09|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|archive-date=June 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625030053/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-12-adna-mrbill12-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Hans and Franz|Pumping Up with Hans & Franz]]
|State Farm
|[[Dana Carvey]], [[Kevin Nealon]]
|09/04/2014<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Cassidy |date=2014-09-05 |title=Saturday Night Live alumni star in new State Farm ad |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/life/style/trends/saturday-night-live-alumni-star-in-new-state-farm-ad/283-71301669 |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=[[KGW]] |language=en-US |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412114047/https://www.kgw.com/article/life/style/trends/saturday-night-live-alumni-star-in-new-state-farm-ad/283-71301669 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 1990–91#The Richmeister (Copy Room Guy, "Makin' Copies!")|The Richmeister]]
|State Farm
|[[Rob Schneider]]
|09/2014<ref>{{cite web|title=State Farm Commercial With Rob Schneider Brings Back The Richmeister From 'SNL' – VIDEOS|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/38545-state-farm-commercial-with-rob-schneider-brings-back-the-richmeister-from-snl-videos|access-date=2021-02-09|website=Bustle|date=September 4, 2014|language=en|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214234748/https://www.bustle.com/articles/38545-state-farm-commercial-with-rob-schneider-brings-back-the-richmeister-from-snl-videos|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Commercial pulled in response to Mr. Schneider's statements on vaccines<ref>{{cite web|date=September 25, 2014|title=State Farm Pulls Rob Schneider "Richmeister" Commercials After Backlash Over Actor's Stance Against Mandatory Vaccines|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/582522/state-farm-pulls-rob-schneider-richmeister-commercials-after-backlash-over-actor-s-stance-against-mandatory-vaccines|access-date=2021-02-09|website=E! Online|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214113300/https://www.eonline.com/news/582522/state-farm-pulls-rob-schneider-richmeister-commercials-after-backlash-over-actor-s-stance-against-mandatory-vaccines|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[The Roxbury Guys]]
|Diet Pepsi Max 
|[[Chris Kattan]]
|02/3/2008
|Premiered during Super Bowl XLII
|-
|[[Wayne's World]]
|Uber Eats
|[[Dana Carvey]], [[Mike Myers]]
|02/2021<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Schwing! Cardi B Crashes Wayne and Garth's 2021 Super Bowl Ad Reunion: Watch|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/super-bowl/9519231/waynes-world-2021-super-bowl-uber-eats-ad/|access-date=2021-02-09|magazine=Billboard|date=February 3, 2021|language=en|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210012241/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/super-bowl/9519231/waynes-world-2021-super-bowl-uber-eats-ad/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Campaign debuted in lead-up to Super Bowl LV and ran again during the big game
|}

===Music===
A cast album was released in 1976 on the Arista label including the song "Chevy's Girls" and comedy bits from the show (Weekend Update, "Emily Litella", "Gun Control");<ref>{{cite web |year=1976 |title=NBC's Saturday Night Live |url=https://www.discogs.com/Various-NBCs-Saturday-Night-Live/release/2119575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224073927/https://www.discogs.com/Various-NBCs-Saturday-Night-Live/release/2119575 |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |access-date=2018-12-23 |website=www.discogs.com |language=en}}</ref> it was later re-issued on CD and MP3 download.

In 2005, the comedy troupe [[The Lonely Island]]—consisting of ''SNL'' members [[Andy Samberg]], [[Akiva Schaffer]], and [[Jorma Taccone]]—gained national exposure after joining the show and debuting their comedic music video "[[Lazy Sunday (The Lonely Island song)|Lazy Sunday]]", written with fellow cast member [[Chris Parnell]]. The song became a surprise hit.<ref name="LonelyIsland1">{{cite news|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1184075,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614190554/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1184075,00.html|archive-date=June 14, 2006|title=Straight Outta Narnia|first=Joel|last=Stein|magazine=Time|date=April 17, 2006|access-date=January 2, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |date=December 27, 2005 |title=Nerds in the Hood, Stars on the Web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/27/arts/nerds-in-the-hood-stars-on-the-web.html |access-date=November 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> It was posted on YouTube without permission from NBC; "Lazy Sunday" popularized the website, which had launched five months earlier. Schaffer said that for years after the video was released, "You couldn’t kind of write a story about YouTube without mentioning us."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Andrew Wallenstein,Todd |date=2015-12-18 |title='Lazy Sunday' Turns 10: 'SNL' Stars Recall How TV Invaded the Internet |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/lazy-sunday-10th-anniversary-snl-1201657949/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Higgins |first=Bill |date=2017-10-05 |title=Hollywood Flashback: 'SNL's' 'Lazy Sunday' Put YouTube on the Map in 2005 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/hollywood-flashback-snls-lazy-sunday-put-youtube-map-2005-1044829/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Nate |date=2008-11-23 |title=Did "Lazy Sunday" make YouTube's $1.5 billion sale possible? |url=https://arstechnica.com/uncategorized/2008/11/did-lazy-sunday-make-youtubes-1-5-billion-sale-possible/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-US}}</ref>

Further successes with songs including "[[Like a Boss]]", "[[Jizz in My Pants]]", "[[I'm on a Boat]]", "[[Incredibad|We Like Sportz]]", "[[Incredibad|Boombox]]", and "[[Dick in a Box]]"{{snd}}the latter of which won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics]] in 2007<ref name="LonelyIsland2">{{cite news |title=2007 Emmy Winners: the Complete List |work=[[Daily News (New York)]] |date=September 17, 2007 |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/2007-emmy-winners-complete-list-article-1.248071 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-date=January 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108081059/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/2007-emmy-winners-complete-list-article-1.248071 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{snd}}saw The Lonely Island go on to release two albums, ''[[Incredibad]]'' (2009)<ref name="LonelyIsland3">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1601144/snl-star-andy-samberg-recruits-t-pain-justin-timberlake-norah-jones-for-new-album/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905194049/http://www.mtv.com/news/1601144/snl-star-andy-samberg-recruits-t-pain-justin-timberlake-norah-jones-for-new-album/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 5, 2014|title='SNL' Star Andy Samberg Recruits T-Pain, Justin Timberlake, Norah Jones for New Album|access-date=January 8, 2022|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date= December 10, 2008|publisher=[[MTV News]]}}</ref> and ''[[Turtleneck & Chain]]'' (2011), containing ''SNL''-developed songs and original works. The albums were released by [[Universal Republic Records]], which was provided with a license to the ''SNL'' songs by NBC and Broadway Video.

===Documentaries===
On January 16, 2025, the four episode documentary series ''SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night'', featuring rare footage and interviews with more than 60 contributors—including cast members, writers, and execs—became available to stream on [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]]. A sequel, feature-length documentary ''Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music'', which discusses SNL's music performances and musical-comedy sketches, will then be available to stream on Peacock on January 27, 2025.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/saturday-night-live-how-to-watch-50th-anniversary-special-snl-docs-8773247|title=How to watch Saturday Night Live's 50th anniversary special, new SNL docs, and more|first=Jillian|last=Sederholm|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 14, 2025|accessdate=January 15, 2025}}</ref>

===Other===
Several programs have documented the behind-the-scenes events of the show. A ''60 Minutes'' report taped in October 2004 depicted the intense writing frenzy that goes on during the week leading up to a show, with crowded meetings and long hours. The report particularly noted the involvement of the guest host(s) in developing and selecting the sketches in which they will appear. Similarly, there has been an [[A&E Network|A&E]] episode of ''[[Biography (TV series)|Biography]]'' which covered the production process, as well as an episode of ''TV Tales'' in 2002 on [[E!]]. In 2010, [[Saturday Night (2010 film)|''Saturday Night'']], a 94-minute documentary by actor [[James Franco]] in his directorial debut, was released; it follows the production process of the December 6, 2008, episode hosted by [[John Malkovich]], from the concept stage to the episode actually airing live. Although it originated as a five-minute short film for Franco's [[New York University]] film class, Michaels granted Franco access to the process, allowing the project to be expanded.<ref name="SatNightDocu"/> On February 15, 2015, NBC aired a {{frac|3|1|2}}-hour special on ''Saturday Night Live''{{'}}s 40th anniversary. The program included a mix of clips, new performances of classic characters from previous cast members, and special guest appearances from previous hosts.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/reviews/snl-40-tv-review-saturday-night-live-40th-anniversary-special-1201434680/ | work=Variety | first=Brian | last=Lowry | title=TV Review: 'Saturday Night Live's' 40th Exhibits Middle-Aged Bloat | date=February 16, 2015}}</ref>

In September 2011 ice cream company [[Ben & Jerry's]] released a limited-edition ice cream called "[[Schweddy Balls]]", inspired by a 1998 sketch of the same name starring Alec Baldwin, [[Ana Gasteyer]], and [[Molly Shannon]].{{sfn|Veroni|2014}}<ref name="MerchIceCream3">{{cite news|first=Katy| last=Steinmetz | title=Schweddy Balls: Ben & Jerry's Newest Vermont Export |url=https://newsfeed.time.com/2011/09/07/schweddy-balls-ben-jerrys-newest-vermont-export/ | magazine = Time |date=September 7, 2011| access-date=February 21, 2012}}</ref> According to the company, the ice cream became their fastest-selling limited-edition flavor.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/ben-jerry-s-saturday-night-251521/ | title=Ben and Jerry's 'Saturday Night Live' Flavor, 'Schweddy Balls,' Not Welcome in Some Stores | first=Michael | last=O'Connell | date=October 20, 2011 | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | access-date=January 8, 2021 | archive-date=September 21, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921162629/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/ben-jerry-s-saturday-night-251521/ | url-status=live }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=October 2017|reason="Popular" ≠ "fastest-selling"}} The ice cream was also subject to criticism and boycotts by [[One Million Moms]], a project of the [[American Family Association]], over the "vulgar" name.{{sfn|Veroni|2014}}<ref name="MerchIceCream2">{{cite news|first=Deborah|last=Netburn|title=Is Ben & Jerry's 'Schweddy Balls' R-rated ice cream?|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/09/is-ben-jerrys-schweddy-balls-r-rated-ice-cream.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 23, 2011|access-date=February 21, 2012|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108233546/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/09/is-ben-jerrys-schweddy-balls-r-rated-ice-cream.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some retail chains chose not to sell the flavor, but declined to say if the decision was at their own discretion or based on the One Million Moms boycotts.<ref name="MerchIceCream2" /><ref name="MerchIceCream">{{cite magazine|first=Aly|last=Semigran|title=Ben & Jerry's Schweddy Balls not being sold in some stores: Have you had a taste yet?|url=https://ew.com/article/2011/10/21/ben-and-jerrys-schweddy-balls-not-sold-in-stores/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=October 21, 2011|access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220108081114/https://ew.com/article/2011/10/21/ben-and-jerrys-schweddy-balls-not-sold-in-stores/|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2014 two new flavors inspired by SNL sketches were introduced: ''[[Lazy Sunday (The Lonely Island song)|Lazy Sunday]]'', based on a sketch of the same name featuring Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell, and ''Gilly's Catastrophic Crunch'' based on the recurring ''[[Gilly (Saturday Night Live)#Gilly|Gilly]]'' sketches featuring Kristen Wiig.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kludt |first=Amanda |url=http://eater.com/archives/2014/06/19/saturday-night-live-inspired-ben-jerrys-newest-flavors.php |title=Ben & Jerry's Introduces SNL-Themed Ice Cream |publisher=Eater |date=June 19, 2014 |access-date=December 12, 2014 |archive-date=March 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307005419/https://www.eater.com/2014/6/19/6204971/ben-jerrys-introduces-snl-themed-ice-cream |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Two Wild and Crazy Pies'', based on the catchphrase of the recurring [[Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 1977–1978#The Festrunk Brothers ("Two Wild and Crazy Guys!")|Festrunk Brothers]], was introduced in September 2014,<ref>{{cite news |last=Aiken |first=Kristen |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ben-and-jerrys-new-snl-flavor_n_5864158 |title=Ben & Jerry's New 'SNL'-Inspired Flavor Is Their Best Yet, But You Won't Find It in a Pint |work=HuffPost |date=September 24, 2014 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919040652/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ben-and-jerrys-new-snl-flavor_n_5864158 |url-status=live }}</ref> followed by ''Wayne'Swirled'', which was inspired by the eponymous [[Wayne's World]] in February 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/wayneswirled-snl-batch |title=Introducing Wayne'Swirled: The Newest SNL Batch! |publisher=Ben & Jerry |date=February 10, 2015 |access-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==See also==
*''[[Saturday Live (British TV programme)|Saturday Live/Friday Night Live]]'' (a British television comedy show with a similar format)

==References==

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin|35em|indent=yes}}
*{{cite book
|editor1-last=Beatts
|editor1-first=Anne
|editor1-link=Anne Beatts
|editor2-last=Head
|editor2-first=John
|year=1977
|title=Saturday Night Live
|location=New York
|publisher=Avon Books
|isbn=978-0-380-01801-7
}}
*{{cite book
|last=Cader
|first=Michael
|year=1994
|title=Saturday Night Live: The First Twenty Years
|location=Boston
|publisher=Houghton Mifflin
|isbn=978-0-395-70895-8
|url=https://archive.org/details/saturdaynightliv00cade
}}
*{{cite book
|last=Gates
|first=Racquel
|year=2013
|chapter=Bringing the Black: Eddie Murphy and African American Humor on ''Saturday Night Live''
|editor1-last=Marx
|editor1-first=Nick
|editor2-last=Sienkiewicz
|editor2-first=Matt
|editor3-last=Becker
|editor3-first=Ron
|title=Saturday Night Live and American TV
|location=Bloomington, Indiana
|publisher=Indiana University Press
|pages=151–172
|isbn=978-0-253-01090-2
|jstor=j.ctt16gznsz.12
}}
*{{cite encyclopedia
|last=Hammill
|first=Geoffrey
|year=2004
|title=Saturday Night Live
|editor-last=Newcomb
|editor-first=Horace
|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Television
|volume=1
|edition=2nd
|location=New York
|publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn
|publication-date=2014
|pages=2008–2014
|isbn=978-1-135-19479-6
}}
* {{cite book |last1=Henry |first1=David |last2=Henry |first2=Joe |title=Furious Cool: Richard Pryor and the World That Made Him |date=November 5, 2013 |publisher=[[Algonquin Books]] |isbn=9781616200787}}
*{{cite book
|last1=Hill
|first1=Doug
|last2=Weingrad
|first2=Jeff
|year=1986
|title=Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live
|location=New York
|publisher=Beech Tree Books
|isbn=978-0-688-05099-3
|url=https://archive.org/details/saturdaynightbac00hill
}}
* {{cite book |last1=Kaplan |first1=Arie |title=Saturday Night Live: Shaping TV Comedy and American Culture |date=August 1, 2014 |publisher=21st Century |isbn=978-1-467710-86-2}}
*{{cite book
|last1=Marx
|first1=Nick
|last2=Sienkiewicz
|first2=Matt
|last3=Becker
|first3=Ron
|year=2013
|chapter=Introduction: Situating ''Saturday Night Live'' in American Television Culture
|editor1-last=Marx
|editor1-first=Nick
|editor2-last=Sienkiewicz
|editor2-first=Matt
|editor3-last=Becker
|editor3-first=Ron
|title=Saturday Night Live and American TV
|location=Bloomington, Indiana
|publisher=Indiana University Press
|pages=1–21
|isbn=978-0-253-01090-2
|jstor=j.ctt16gznsz.4
}}
*{{cite book
|last=Mohr
|first=Jay
|author-link=Jay Mohr
|year=2004
|title=Gasping for Airtime: Two Years in the Trenches of Saturday Night Live
|location=New York
|publisher=Hyperion Books
|isbn=978-1-4013-0006-7
|title-link=Gasping for Airtime
}}
* {{Cite book |last2=Miller |first2=James Andrew |title=Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests |last1=Shales |first1=Tom |date=October 6, 2015 |publisher=[[Back Bay Books]] |isbn=978-0-316-29506-2 |edition=2nd |language=en |lccn=2014943177 |author-link2=James Andrew Miller |author-link=Tom Shales}}
*{{cite book
|last=Tropiano
|first=Stephen
|year=2013
|title=Saturday Night Live FAQ
|location=New York
|publisher=Applause Books
}}
*{{cite book
|last=Veroni
|first=Clive
|year=2014
|title=Spin: How Politics Has the Power to Turn Marketing on Its Head
|location=Toronto
|publisher=House of Anansi Press
|isbn=978-1-77089-318-4
}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin|35em|indent=yes}}
*{{cite news |url=https://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0204snl0204.html |title=Venerable ''SNL'' undergoing another generational shift |work=[[The Arizona Republic]] |date=February 4, 2006 |access-date=January 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630095032/http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0204snl0204.html |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |url-status=dead |last1=Coyle |first1=Jake}}
*{{cite book |last=Davis |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Davis (comedian) |year=2009 |title=Thirty-Nine Years of Short-Term Memory Loss: The Early Days of SNL from Someone Who Was There |location=New York |publisher=Grove Press |isbn=978-0-8021-1880-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/thirtynineyearso00davi}}
*{{cite book |last=Streeter |first=Michael |year=2005 |title=Nothing Lost Forever: The Films of Tom Schiller |location=New York |publisher=BearManor Media |isbn=978-1-59393-032-5}}
*{{cite book |last=Whalley |first=Jim |year=2010 |title=Saturday Night Live, Hollywood Comedy, and American Culture: From Chevy Chase to Tina Fey |location=New York |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-0-230-10794-6 |doi=10.1057/9780230107946}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|n=no|b=no|voy=no|v=no|species=no|mw=no|m=no|wikt=no|d=Q13979|commons=Category:Saturday Night Live|s=no}}
*{{official website|http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live}}
*{{IMDb title|id=0072562|title=Saturday Night Live}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20151228172458/https://screen.yahoo.com/snl/ ''Saturday Night Live'' video archive] at [[Yahoo! Screen]]
*{{The Interviews title|saturday-night-live}}
*[https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/saturday-night-live ''Saturday Night Live''] on [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRPey4Hy_ZM The first episode of ''Saturday Night Live''], on their YouTube channel

{{Saturday Night Live|state=expanded}}
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