Live from New York, it’s a comedy institution that has shaped pop culture for nearly five decades. But in an era of TikTok skits and streaming domination, does Saturday Night Live still have the same punch? Saturday Night Live has been on air since 1975 and helped shape American popular culture through iconic live performances. Over the decades, it has had a tremendous impact from launching legendary comedians to influencing political discourse. These stars showcased their talents through writing and performance, earning multiple accolades, including Emmy Awards, and solidifying their status as leading voices in comedy today, SNL is still known as a comic relief brought by celebrity guests and the original cast about current issues or news as well as pop cultural references embedded in their performance, appealing to many audiences of different age groups. However, it’s interesting to question how SNL has remained a relevant and prestigious program for almost 50 years.
In the past, satirical archetypes of politicians were depicted through caricatures in newspapers. Today, Saturday Night Live presents live caricatures of current events, leveraging well-known personas to make their messages even more poignant. Its atmosphere of humor and unfiltered, sometimes unorthodox, interpretations provide a more accessible and engaging portrayal of the news. This approach resonates with audiences, particularly in an era when television and dinner were central to American culture. When SNL first debuted in ‘75, Americans were exposed to political news regarding the Watergate Scandal and the Vietnam War. SNL, regarding these issues, was used as a counterculture platform, for independent writers such as Lorne Michaels, Anne Beatts, and Micheal O’Donoghue amongst many others, to push the boundaries with their raw and unrestrained take on politics or social issues. They used sketches, standup comedy, or stage charisma of many actors such as Chevy Chase, John Belushi, or Gilda Radner to critique authority figures and institutions.
In addition, the line between political persuasion and pure entertainment has blurred through Saturday Night Live’s run. Politicians eventually recognized Saturday Night Live as a significant influence on popular political discourse, particularly during events like the Watergate scandal. Some have even viewed its impact as more profound, seeing it not merely as a platform for political satire but as a program that, for many, serves as a legitimate source of news. However, as a reliable news source, one must take into account the impact of a program that relies heavily on humor and exaggeration. The impressions of Alec Baldwin as Trump has completely forged a generation and shown the power of parody. Through his exaggerated mannerisms, pursed lips, and signature phrases such as “wrong” or “tremendous”, Baldwin cemented a caricature of Trump blurring the lines between reality and and satire. His performances became iconic largely because the president himself felt compelled to respond, labeling Baldwin’s portrayal as “unfunny” or even “terrible,” which only heightened its impact (Nelson, 2018).
SNL mocks and critiques famous personas, pop culture, and news shaping cultural conversations. However, this also led to multiple controversies of lack of diversity and a debate that it has become “too political” to be a family show. Indeed, SNL has long been criticized for its underrepresentation of minority cast members. For many years, the show had few Black, Hispanic, or Asian cast members. The show has faced criticism for relying on racial stereotypes in some past sketches, including instances where the use of blackface has been condemned as offensive. In contrast, today’s cast is more diverse, featuring performers like Marcello Hernandez, Bowen Yang, Kenan Thompson, and others.
The show has shed light on political and social issues through sarcasm and created Hollywood’s biggest comedic stars such as Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, and more. Will Ferrell, known for his over-the-top characters and impeccable impressions, became one of SNL’s most beloved cast members before transitioning into a successful film career with hits like Anchorman and Elf. Similarly, Kristen Wiig’s sharp comedic timing and versatility made her a standout, leading to her breakout role in Bridesmaids, a film she co-wrote. Tina Fey joined in the 90s and quickly through her wits and comically sharper lines rose through the ranks to become the show’s first female head writer. SNL has helped many branch out and make a name for themselves, in ways that let their talent and authentic voice be public. Saturday Night Live has also served as a launching pad for many, enabling sketch writers to transition into producing and directing major films—such as Tina Fey, who went on to create Mean Girls (2004). In this way, SNL has cemented its reputation as a star-making machine, leaving audiences to wonder which of today’s guest stars will be the next to break into Hollywood’s biggest roles.
Now the real question is whether Saturday Night Live is capable of staying relevant through digital innovations. Is the traditional late-night format dying? Will it survive the streaming and social media change, and thrive from it, or will this 50-year-old institution crumble and become completely unknown?
Author: Ana Knopp
Visual: Amelie Grace Hartadi