WHY SNL STILL WORKS
Politics, Spin-Offs + True Icons
From Chevy Chase and John Belushi to Michael Che and Colin Jost, Saturday Night Live has been the gold standard of sketch-comedy for 46 years.
Decades have come and gone with different iterations of sketch shows like In Living Color and Mad TV. While the rivals usurped top billing at various points, SNL has stood the test of time.
Every Saturday night on NBC. Year in. Year out.
So how does SNL do it? How does it rival the lifespan of daytime soap operas? How can it endure the exit of comedy icons, who outgrew the rigors of the weekly performances?
Legends
Everyone wants to walk in the shoes of their idols. Scores of aspiring comics have graced “30 Rock” the same way greats, including Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, and Chris Farley once ruled. Year after year, one group of classic comedians gave way to another.
Beyond the constant cast turnover, up-and-comers made it possible to look to SNL as a proving ground. In some cases, improv comics sacrifice past projects and relationships to join the ensemble. In The Hollywood Reporter, Jordan Peele revealed that Mad TV contractually held him back from an opportunity to portray Barack Obama on SNL. Mainstay Fred Armisen then took on the role. Peele had a falling out with Mad TV because he missed out on his dream to join SNL.
Individual Brands
Over the years, comics expanded their TV and movie work beyond Lorne Michaels’s kingdom. Alum starred in a wide range of late-twentieth-century projects. Tommy Boy, Wayne’s World, and Bridesmaids were all made while respective talents still appeared on SNL.
Films like Caddyshack, Beverly Hills Cop, and Grown-Ups, and more were all films that starred former SNL talent. Many built their careers at 30 Rock and returned to host.
Impersonations/Guests
The abundance of topical segments littered throughout the history of Saturday Night Live has made for iconic moments in television history. Where else would you look for funny impersonations of notables like Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, or Donald Trump during an election year? Real-life politicians who were parodied AND appeared on the show include Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, and George H.W. Bush.
SNL remains a cultural touchstone and it remains influential. You must be living under a rock if you don’t recognize the importance and allure of Saturday’s late-night longest-running program.
