Feb. 11, 2025
By Alexandra Lourenço
Editor-in-Chief
While many shows come and go, “Saturday Night Live,” or “SNL,” has defied the odds. This year, the legendary NBC sketch comedy show is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
“SNL” first aired on Oct. 11, 1975, featuring little-known comedian George Carlin as its host. Carlin went on to become a comedic sensation.
Five decades later, with over 980 episodes and over 165 cast members, it remains a launching pad for comedy legends and a mirror reflecting societal issues.
The cast will celebrate the show’s anniversary on Feb. 16 with a three-hour special airing from 8-11 p.m. Additionally, in the 50 days leading up to this episode, NBC is posting a sketch from each season on its website to pay homage to the show’s rich history.
“I can’t think of another show that has been around for so long that is a funny show and is still relevant.”
English teacher and stand-up comedian Dr. DiMaggio said she remembers watching “SNL” with her best friend.
“When we were in seventh and eighth grade, we were obsessed with ‘SNL,’” DiMaggio said. “In fact, she bought me a figurine from one of the sketches, which was called ‘Church [Chat].’”
“Church Chat,” an ongoing sketch that first aired in 1986 with actor and comedian Dana Carvey, portrays the nosey and pious talk show host Enid Strict. DiMaggio said it remains her favorite sketch and character.
“My friend and I loved that sketch because the main character had a snarky way of dealing with guests, who were often celebrities and politicians who were in the news at the time. We were always on the edge of our seats to see what she would say,” DiMaggio said.
She said “SNL” has stood the test of time because it is classic, hilarious and topical.
“I can’t think of another show that has been around for so long that is a funny show and is still relevant,” DiMaggio said.
She said “SNL” is unique because its sketches often lack a button, which is a joke that closes a scene.
“They don’t have a final punch. They just sort of end, and then you just hear laughter,” DiMaggio said.
She said “SNL” successfully appeals to everybody when addressing cultural and social issues.
“When they do their political sketches, they make fun of both sides,” DiMaggio said. “It’s another way to get young people thinking about important issues and seeing different perspectives on it and seeing the humor in them.”
Freshman Kaden Brattoli, who said he mainly streams clips of the show on social media, started watching the show in 2020.
Brattoli said he likes how unique “SNL” is and that it criticizes a variety of public figures.
“[It’s] something [that] everybody can come together and enjoy,” Brattoli said.
He said he often loses interest when watching TV shows, but “SNL” always intrigues him.
“It’s never boring. There’s always something different about it, and it never feels like it’s repeating,” Brattoli said.
He said “SNL” has contributed to his sense of humor.
“I can quote the jokes, and sometimes people know what it is, [and] sometimes people don’t, [but] I can get them on to it and get them to follow the jokes,” Brattoli said.
He said through its political and cultural commentary, “SNL” has fostered an inclusive community that encourages people to take life less seriously.
“[By watching the show,] people become more understanding and [accept] that everybody has different views,” Brattoli said.
SCREENSHOT FROM NBC In “Church Chat,” an ongoing sketch that first aired in 1986, actor and comedian Dana Carvey portrays a nosey and pious talk show host named Enid Strict.
Junior Olivia Intindola, who streams episodes of “SNL” almost every day, said she began watching the show when she was six years old. However, she said she became more interested in it after watching actor, singer and songwriter Harry Styles host in 2019.
Intindola said her favorite skit is the satirical news program “Weekend Update” with comedians Michael Che and Colin Jost.
This recurring sketch is known for the banter between Che and Jost. In some special episodes, they write jokes for each other. During the live broadcast, they read each other’s jokes for the first time.
“I love the joke swaps that they do. It is just a fun thing to listen to, especially when I’m not feeling good,” Intindola said.
She said her favorite host is actor and comedian John Mulaney, who has hosted the show six times.
“Usually when he is on, they have a little musical segment.… Musicals are my calling, so it’s fun that I can relate to it,” Intindola said.
She said she especially likes Mulaney’s “Diner Lobster” sketch, which first aired on April 14, 2018. The sketch features a man (Pete Davidson) who orders a lobster (Kenan Thompson) at a New York City diner. Through parodies of songs from the musical “Les Misérables,” the diner employees, including the waiter (Mulaney), advise him to order something else.
Intindola said the show has influenced her humor since she has watched it for so long.
“I reference it all the time…. Their humor kind of bounces off of me,” Intindola said.
She said her favorite aspects of the show are the improvisation and when the actors break character.
“They have fun with everything they do, and they love their job,” Intindola said.
She said the show is an important part of American television history.
“‘SNL’ is more than just a comedy show,” Intindola said. “[The cast members] are able to joke about problems we have in the real world, but they are also able to remind us that there’s always room for a smile during tough times.”
