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Saturday Night Live


 
 
Saturday Night Live (SNL) is a weekly late-night 90-minute AmericanUnited States Summary

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
 sketch comedySketch comedy

Sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes, or 'sketches', commonly between one and ten minutes long....
/variety showVariety show Overview

A variety show is a show with a variety of acts, often including music and comedy skits, especially on television....
 based in New York CityNew York City

New York City is the largest city in the United States and the twelfth largest city in the world, making it a major global c...
 that debuted on October 11, 1975. It features a regular cast of typically up-and-coming comic actors, joined by a guest host and musical actList of Saturday Night Live episodes

This article lists the hosts and musical guests for each episode of Saturday Night Live, an American television sh...
. The show — broadcast live (or on tape delay to the MountainMountain Time Zone

The Mountain Time Zone of North America keeps time by subtracting seven hours from Coordinated Universal Time during the sho...
 and Pacific Time ZonePacific Time Zone

The Pacific Time Zone observes standard time by subtracting eight hours from Coordinated Universal Time....
s) from Studio 8H at the GE BuildingGE Building

This article is about the skycraper in Rockefeller Center....
 in New York's Rockefeller CenterRockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings between 48th and 51st Streets in New York....
 — has launched careers for many major American comedy stars of the last thirty years. It was created by Canadian Lorne MichaelsFacts About Lorne Michaels

Lorne Michaels is a Canadian-born American television producer and writer best known for creating and producing Saturday N...
 who, excluding seasons 6 through season 10, has producedTelevision producer

The primary role of a television producer is to coordinate and control all aspects of production, ranging from show idea dev...
 and writtenWriter

The term writer can apply to anyone who creates a written work, but the word more usually designates those who write c...
 for the show and remains its executive producer. SNL is one of the longest-runningList of longest running U.S. television series

This is a list of the longest running American television series, ordered by number of broadcast seasons....
 network programs in American television history.

Originally, the show was called NBC's Saturday Night, as the current (and originally intended) title was in useSaturday Night Live with Howard Cosell

Saturday Night Live With Howard Cosell was a program that ran on ABC from 1975 to 1976, hosted by Howard Cosell....
 by rival network ABC.






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Timeline

1975   American television network NBC airs the first episode of ''Saturday Night Live'' (George Carlin is the very first host; Billy Preston and Janis Ian the very first musical guests).

1998   The wife of ''Saturday Night Live'' comedian Phil Hartman kills him and commits suicide afterwards.






Encyclopedia


Saturday Night Live (SNL) is a weekly late-night 90-minute AmericanUnited States Summary

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., and America, is...
 sketch comedySketch comedy

Sketch comedy consists of a series of short comedy scenes, or 'sketches', commonly between one and ten minutes long....
/variety showVariety show Overview

A variety show is a show with a variety of acts, often including music and comedy skits, especially on television....
 based in New York CityNew York City

New York City is the largest city in the United States and the twelfth largest city in the world, making it a major global c...
 that debuted on October 11, 1975. It features a regular cast of typically up-and-coming comic actors, joined by a guest host and musical actList of Saturday Night Live episodes

This article lists the hosts and musical guests for each episode of Saturday Night Live, an American television sh...
. The show — broadcast live (or on tape delay to the MountainMountain Time Zone

The Mountain Time Zone of North America keeps time by subtracting seven hours from Coordinated Universal Time during the sho...
 and Pacific Time ZonePacific Time Zone

The Pacific Time Zone observes standard time by subtracting eight hours from Coordinated Universal Time....
s) from Studio 8H at the GE BuildingGE Building

This article is about the skycraper in Rockefeller Center....
 in New York's Rockefeller CenterRockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings between 48th and 51st Streets in New York....
 — has launched careers for many major American comedy stars of the last thirty years. It was created by Canadian Lorne MichaelsFacts About Lorne Michaels

Lorne Michaels is a Canadian-born American television producer and writer best known for creating and producing Saturday N...
 who, excluding seasons 6 through season 10, has producedTelevision producer

The primary role of a television producer is to coordinate and control all aspects of production, ranging from show idea dev...
 and writtenWriter

The term writer can apply to anyone who creates a written work, but the word more usually designates those who write c...
 for the show and remains its executive producer. SNL is one of the longest-runningList of longest running U.S. television series

This is a list of the longest running American television series, ordered by number of broadcast seasons....
 network programs in American television history.

Originally, the show was called NBC's Saturday Night, as the current (and originally intended) title was in useSaturday Night Live with Howard Cosell

Saturday Night Live With Howard Cosell was a program that ran on ABC from 1975 to 1976, hosted by Howard Cosell....
 by rival network ABC. NBC purchased the rights to the name in 1976 and officially adopted the new title on March 26, 1977. Throughout its history (except for season 7 and other rare exceptions), the show has traditionally begun with a cold openCold open

A cold open in a television program or movie is the technique of jumping directly into a story at the beginning or opening o...
 that ends with someone breaking character and proclaiming "Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!"

History

  • By era: 1975-1980History of Saturday Night Live (1975-1980)

    Sorry, no overview for this topic
    ; 1980-1985History of Saturday Night Live (1980-1985)

    Sorry, no overview for this topic
    ; 1985-1990History of Saturday Night Live (1985-1990) Summary

    Sorry, no overview for this topic
    ; 1990-1995History of Saturday Night Live (1990-1995)

    The period of 1990 to 1995 was a time of great transition and contrasts for Saturday Night Live....
    ; 1995-2000History of Saturday Night Live (1995-2000)

    The Late Nineties1995-96 was a milestone year, marking the last season for David Spade, but also the debuts of a strong batch of ...
    ; 2000-2005History of Saturday Night Live (2000-2005)

    The early 21st centuryThe 2000-2001 season of Saturday Night Live began yet another transitional phase....
    ; 2005-presentHistory of Saturday Night Live (2005-2010)

    This article is about the history of Saturday Night Live 2005-2010....
  • By season: 1Saturday Night Live (Season 1)

    Saturday Night Live aired its first season during the 1975-76 television season on NBC....
    , 2Saturday Night Live (Season 2)

    Saturday Night Live aired its second season during the 1976 - 1977 television season on NBC....
    , 3Saturday Night Live (Season 3)

    Saturday Night Live aired its third season during the 1977 - 1978 television season on NBC....
    , 4Saturday Night Live (Season 4)

    Saturday Night Live aired its fourth season during the 1978 - 1979 television season on NBC....
    , 5Saturday Night Live (Season 5)

    Saturday Night Live aired its fifth season during the 1979 - 1980 television season on NBC....
    , 6Saturday Night Live (Season 6)

    Saturday Night Live aired its sixth season during the 1980 - 1981 television season on NBC....
    , 7Saturday Night Live (Season 7)

    Saturday Night Live aired its seventh season during the 1981 - 1982 television season on NBC....
    , 8Saturday Night Live (Season 8)

    Saturday Night Live aired its eighth season during the 1982 - 1983 season on NBC....
    , 9Saturday Night Live (Season 9)

    Saturday Night Live aired its ninth season during the 1983 - 1984 television season on NBC....
    , 10Saturday Night Live (Season 10)

    Saturday Night Live aired its tenth season during the 1984-1985 television season on NBC....
    , 11Saturday Night Live (Season 11)

    Saturday Night Live aired its eleventh season during the 1985-1986 television season on NBC....
    , 12Saturday Night Live (Season 12)

    Saturday Night Live aired its twelfth season during the 1986-1987 television season on NBC....
    , 13Saturday Night Live (Season 13)

    Saturday Night Live aired its thirteenth season during the 1987-1988 television season on NBC....
    , 14Saturday Night Live (Season 14)

    Saturday Night Live aired its fourteenth season during the 1988 - 1989 television season on NBC....
    , 15Saturday Night Live (Season 15)

    Saturday Night Live aired its fifteenth season during the 1989 - 1990 television season on NBC....
    , 16Saturday Night Live (Season 16) Overview

    Saturday Night Live aired its sixteenth season during the 1990-1991 television season on NBC....
    , 17Saturday Night Live (Season 17) Summary

    Saturday Night Live aired its seventeenth season during the 1991-1992 television season on NBC....
    , 18Saturday Night Live (Season 18)

    Saturday Night Live aired its eighteenth season during the 1992-1993 television season on NBC....
    , 19Saturday Night Live (Season 19)

    Saturday Night Live aired its nineteenth season during the 1993-1994 television season on NBC....
    , 20Saturday Night Live (Season 20)

    Saturday Night Live aired its twentieth season during the 1994-1995 television season on NBC....
    , 21Saturday Night Live (Season 21)

    Saturday Night Live aired its twenty-first season during the 1995-1996 television season on NBC....
    , 22Saturday Night Live (Season 22)

    Saturday Night Live aired its twenty-second season during the 1996-1997 television season on NBC....
    , 23Saturday Night Live (Season 23)

    Saturday Night Live aired its twenty-third season during the 1997-1998 television season on NBC....
    , 24Saturday Night Live (Season 24)

    Saturday Night Live aired its twenty-fourth season during the 1998-1999 television season on NBC....
    , 25Saturday Night Live (Season 25)

    Saturday Night Live aired its twenty-fifth season during the 1999-2000 television season on NBC....
    , 26Saturday Night Live (Season 26) Summary

    Saturday Night Live aired its twenty-sixth season during the 2000-2001 television season on NBC....
    , 27Saturday Night Live (Season 27)

    Saturday Night Live aired its twenty-seventh season during the 2001-2002 television season on NBC....
    , 28Saturday Night Live (Season 28)

    Saturday Night Live aired its 28th season during the 2002-2003 television season on NBC....
    , 29Saturday Night Live (Season 29)

    Saturday Night Live aired its twenty-ninth season during the 2003-2004 television season on NBC....
    , 30Saturday Night Live (Season 30)

    Saturday Night Live had its thirtieth season on the 2004-2005 television season on NBC....
    , 31Saturday Night Live (Season 31)

    Saturday Night Live aired its thirty-first season in the 2005-2006 television season on NBC....
    , 32Saturday Night Live (Season 32)

    Saturday Night Live aired its thirty-second season during the 2006-2007 television season....
    , 33Saturday Night Live (Season 33)

    Saturday Night Live aired its thirty-third season, during the 2007-2008 television season on NBC....
    , 34Saturday Night Live (Season 34)

    The thirty-fourth season of the variety series Saturday Night Live will air beginning in 2008 and ending in 2009 on NBC....
  • Weekend UpdateWeekend Update

    Weekend Update is a Saturday Night Live sketch which comments on and parodies current events....


Saturday Night Live cast

See also: Saturday Night Live castSaturday Night Live cast

Cast members of Saturday Night Live. ...


Current repertory players

  • Fred ArmisenFred Armisen

    Fred Armisen is an American musician, comedian, and actor....
     (2002–present)
  • Will ForteWill Forte

    Orville Willis "Will" Forte IV is an American actor, writer, and comedian best known for appearing on the television show ...
     (2002–present)
  • Bill HaderBill Hader Summary

    Bill Hader is a comedian and featured player on Saturday Night Live....
     (2005–present)
  • Darrell HammondDarrell Hammond

    name = Darrell Hammond | picture = Darrell Hammond.jpg |...
     (1995–present)
  • Seth MeyersSeth Meyers

    Seth Adam Meyers is an American actor and comedian best known as a cast member of Saturday Night Live....
     (2001–present)
  • Amy PoehlerAmy Poehler

    Amy Poehler is an American comedian and actress....
     (2001-present)
  • Andy SambergAndy Samberg

    Andy Samberg, also known as Ardy, is a stand-up comic and member of comedy group The Lonely Island....
     (2005–present)
  • Jason SudeikisJason Sudeikis

    Jason Sudeikis is an American actor and comedian....
     (2005–present)
  • Kenan ThompsonKenan Thompson

    Kenan Thompson is an American television and film actor. ...
     (2003–present)
  • Kristen WiigKristen Wiig

    Kristen Wiig is an American actress and comedian....
     (2005–present)
  • Casey WilsonFacts About Casey Wilson

    Casey Rose Wilson is an American television actress who became a featured member of the cast of Saturday Night Live in...
     (2008–present; featured player)
    • Amy Poehler confirmed that she'll return for the succeeding season, but leave by November.)

Notable tenures

Although Saturday Night Live has a rapid turnover of supporting players, some performers have had long tenures with the show. (•) means they have a Best Of:

  • Dana CarveyDana Carvey

    Dana Thomas Carvey is an American actor and comedian best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and the spin-off mov...
     and Mike MyersMike Myers (actor)

    Michael "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer....
     are credited with 6½ seasons each.

Announcer


Don PardoDon Pardo

Dominick George Pardo, born February 22, 1918 in Westfield, Massachusetts, is a legendary radio and television announcer....
 has served as the announcer for the series since it began (except for season 7, when Mel BrandtMel Brandt Summary

Mel Brandt was an actor and NBC staff announcer....
 and Bill HanrahanBill Hanrahan Summary

William A. Hanrahan , was an American radio and television announcer, perhaps best known as the "Voice of NBC News."...
 filled that role). Pardo, who was 57 when the show debuted and who retired from NBC in 2004 at age 86, still flies in from his home in Tucson, ArizonaTucson, Arizona

Tucson is a city and the seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States, located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix....
, to introduce the show as of 2008.

The SNL Band

The Saturday Night Live BandSaturday Night Live Band

The Saturday Night Live Band is the house band of the NBC television program Saturday Night Live....
 (most often referred to as The Live Band) is the house band of Saturday Night Live (SNL). It has consistently featured some of the finest studio musicians available in New York, including Paul ShafferPaul Shaffer

Paul Allen Wood Shaffer is a Canadian-American musician, actor, voice actor, author, comedian and composer currently seen as...
, G.E. Smith, Lou MariniLou Marini

"Blue Lou" Marini is an American saxophone player....
 (1975-1983), David SanbornDavid Sanborn

David Sanborn is an American saxophonist, most commonly associated with smooth jazz....
 (1975), Michael BreckerMichael Brecker

Michael Brecker is probably the most respected and imitated jazz saxophonist of the post-Coltrane era....
, Ray ChewRay Chew

Ray Chew is an American jazz musician who specializes in keyboards and various percussion....
 (1980-1983), Alan RubinFacts About Alan Rubin

Alan Rubin, also known as "Mr. Perfect" and "Mr....
 (1975-1983), Georg WadeniusGeorg Wadenius

Georg "Jojje" Wadenius, born May 4, 1945, in Stockholm, Sweden, is a guitarist, bassist, singer and composer who made a name...
 (1979-1985), Steve FerroneSteve Ferrone

Steve Ferrone is an English drummer....
 (1985), David JohansenDavid Johansen

David Johansen is an American rock, punk, blues and pop singer, songwriter and actor....
 (performing as Buster Poindexter) and Tom MaloneTom Malone (musician)

Tom Malone is an American jazz musician specializing in trombone....
, who served as leader of the band from 1981 to 1985. The band is currently under the leadership of Tower of Power alum Lenny PickettLenny Pickett

Lenny Pickett is an American saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, music director and teacher....
 and keyboardists Leon Pendarvis and Katreese Barnes.

Recurring characters and sketches


Films based on SNL sketches

The early days of SNL spawned several movies, including the successful The Blues BrothersThe Blues Brothers (film)

The Blues Brothers is a 1980 musical/comedy film, directed by John Landis and starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as ...
. However it was the success of Wayne's WorldWayne's World (film)

Wayne's World is a 1992 comedy film starring Mike Myers as Wayne Campbell and Dana Carvey as Garth Algar, h...
,
that encouraged Lorne Michaels to produce more film spinoffs, based on several popular sketch characters. Michaels revived 1970s characters for ConeheadsFacts About Coneheads (film)

Coneheads is the title of a 1993 movie based on the Saturday Night Live sketches about the Coneheads....
(1993), followed by It's Pat (1994); Stuart Saves His FamilyStuart Saves His Family

Stuart Saves His Family is a 1995 comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, and based on a series of popular Saturday Nigh...
(1995, with the Stuart SmalleyStuart Smalley

Stuart Smalley is a fictional character that was invented and performed by actor, comedian, author, and political activist A...
 character); A Night at the RoxburyA Night at the Roxbury Summary

A Night at the Roxbury is a 1998 comedy film based on a recurring skit on television's long-running Saturday Night Liv...
(1998, with the Butabi Brothers characters); SuperstarSuperstar (film)

Superstar is a 1999 comedy movie and Saturday Night Live spin-off about a quirky, socially inept girl named Mary Kat...
(1999, with the Mary Katherine GallagherMary Katherine Gallagher

Mary Katherine Gallagher is a fictional character invented and portrayed by Saturday Night Live star Molly Shannon....
  character); and The Ladies ManThe Ladies Man (2000 film)

The 2000 release is a film comedy that stars actor, comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member Tim Meadows....
(2000). Some did moderately well, though others did not — notably It's Pat!, which did so badly at the box office the studio which made the film, Touchstone, pulled it only one week after releasing it, and Stuart Saves His Family, with the latter losing US$15 million despite good reviews.

In addition, Office SpaceOffice Space

Office Space is a 1999 comedy film written and directed by Mike Judge....
(1999) originated from a series of Mike JudgeMike Judge

Mike Judge is an American animator, voice actor, writer, and producer, best-known as the creator and star of the hit animat...
 animated short films that aired on SNL after appearing on several other programs.

The studio

Since the show's inception, SNL has aired from Studio 8H, located on floors 8 and 9 of GE BuildingGE Building

This article is about the skycraper in Rockefeller Center....
 (30 Rockefeller Plaza, or "30 Rock"). Due to the studio originally being a radio soundstage for Arturo ToscaniniArturo Toscanini

Arturo Toscanini was an Italian musician....
 and his NBC Symphony OrchestraNBC Symphony Orchestra

The NBC Symphony Orchestra was an orchestra established in 1937 by General David Sarnoff of NBC....
, the layout of the studio floor and the audience positioning causes some audience members to have an obstructed view of many of the sketches. According to NBC, the 8H studio has an almost perfect sound acoustic. The offices of SNL writers, producers, and other staff can be found on the 17th floor of "30 Rock".

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, appearing letterboxed on conventional television screens.

Three of the first four shows of the 1976-77 season were shot at the former NBC StudiosNBC Studios

NBC Studios are the two television studio facilities belonging to the National Broadcasting Company, with one of them being ...
 in Brooklyn, due to NBC NewsNBC News

NBC News is the news division of American television network NBC....
 using Studio 8H for Presidential election coverage.

Production process

The following is a summary of the process used to produce the show. It is based in part on interviews with former SNL head writer and performer Tina FeyTina Fey

Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey is an American writer, comedian, and actress....
 in 2000 and 2004.

Monday:
  • The day begins with a topical meeting, identifying the biggest story for the show's opening.
  • This is followed by a free-form pitch meeting with Lorne MichaelsLorne Michaels Summary

    Lorne Michaels is a Canadian-born American television producer and writer best known for creating and producing Saturday N...
     and the show's host for the week. The official name is "The Host Meeting" but all the writers and cast members call it "The Pitch Meeting"
  • Throughout the week the host has a lot of influence on which sketches get aired.
  • Following the meeting, writers begin to draft the two scripts each must produce.


Tuesday:
  • Starting in the afternoon, anywhere from 30 to 45 scripts are written, most of which will not be broadcast.
  • Once a writer's scripts are complete, he or she will often help other writers on their scripts.


Wednesday:
  • All scripts get a read-through.
  • After the read-through, the head writer(s) and the producers meet with the host to decide which sketches to work on for the rest of the week, with Lorne Michaels and the host having the final say.

Thursday:
  • The surviving sketches are reviewed, word-by-word, by the writing staff as a whole or in two groups in the case of co-head writers.
  • Some sketches which survived the cut because of their premise, but are in need of work, are rewritten completely. Others are changed in smaller ways.
  • The Weekend Update crew starts coming together, starting with the news items written by writers dedicated all week to the segment.
  • The crew comes in for rehearsal, and the music act is rehearsed as well as some of the larger, more important sketches.
  • The host and musical guest and usually some cast members shoot two to four promos to play for NBC.


Friday:
  • The show is blockedBlocking (stage)

    Blocking is a theatre term which refers to the precise movement and positioning of actors on a stage in order to facilitate ...
    .
  • The writer of each sketch acts as producerTelevision producer

    The primary role of a television producer is to coordinate and control all aspects of production, ranging from show idea dev...
    , working with the show's set designers and costumers.


Saturday:
  • With the show still far from finalized, the day begins with a run-through, with props, in front of Lorne Michaels.
  • After the run-through, the cast and crew find out which of the sketches are in the dress rehearsal, and which are cut. The writer/producer deals with any changes.
  • This is followed by a dress rehearsal performed in front of the studio audience, which lasts from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. (or sometimes later) and contains approximately twenty minutes of material which will be deleted from the final broadcast.
  • Lorne Michaels uses firsthand observation of the audience reaction during the dress rehearsal and input from the host and head writer to determine the final round of changes, re-ordering sketches as necessary.
  • The live show then begins at 11:30 p.m. Eastern TimeNorth American Eastern Time Zone

    The Eastern Time Zone of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of Northern America and the west coast of ...
    , but some markets will delay airing.


The status of the show during the week is maintained on a bulletin board. Sketches and other segments are given labels which are put on index cards and put on the board in the order of their performance. The order is based on content as well as production limitations such as camera placement and performer availability. Segments which have been cut are kept to the side of the board. As the broadcast approaches, often the writer/producer discovers the fate of his or her segment only by consulting the bulletin board.

A 60 Minutes60 Minutes

60 Minutes is an investigative television newsmagazine on United States television, which has run on CBS News since 1968...
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 hosts in developing and selecting the sketches in which they will appear. Similarly, there has been an A&EA&E Network

* Dish Network Channel Grid* List of DirecTV channels...
 episode of BiographyBiography

Biography is a genre of literature and other forms of media like film, based on the written accounts of individual lives....
 which covered the production process, as well as an episode of "TV Tales" in 2002 on E! Entertainment Television.

When it's not live


Reruns

SNL reruns are aired out of its original broadcast sequence, usually determined by which episodes have not yet been repeated, but had high ratings or acclaim for its live broadcast. Shows usually air twice during a particular season, but often the highest rated shows of the season have a second encore show towards the end of the off-season, or episodes will be repeated a second or third time to coincide with a new event connected with the person who hosted. For example, the Natalie PortmanNatalie Portman

Natalie Hershlag , better known by her stage name, Natalie Portman , is an Israeli-American film actress....
 episode aired in March 2006 to promote V for VendettaV for Vendetta

V for Vendetta is a comic book series written by Alan Moore and illustrated mostly by David Lloyd, set in a dystopian fu...
was repeated August 5, 2006, prior to the film's DVDDVD Overview

DVD is an optical disc storage media format that can be used for data storage, including movies with high video and sound q...
 release August 8. Similarly, Jeff GordonJeff Gordon

Jeffery Michael Gordon is an American race car driver....
's episode reran following NBC's coverage of the Pepsi 400Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 is the current name for the 400 mile NASCAR Nextel Cup stock car race held on Independence Day weekend at Dayt...
.

Encore showings are not always identical to the original broadcast. Successful sketches aired later in the show during the original broadcast may be reedited to appear earlier, and segments that did not work well during the live broadcast may be replaced by the dress rehearsal version, or entirely new sketches. A Peter SarsgaardPeter Sarsgaard

Peter Sarsgaard is a Golden Globe Award-nominated American film and stage actor....
 sketch from his January 21, 2006 appearance, involving Rachel DratchRachel Dratch

Rachel Susan Dratch is an American comedian, most famous for her role on Saturday Night Live, where she was a cast membe...
's fake newscast, met with technical difficulties during the live broadcast when the in-sketch TV stopped working and a stagehand was seen fixing it. It was replaced with a dress rehearsal version in rerun. This has happened many times over the years, including Kathleen TurnerKathleen Turner

Kathleen Turner is an Academy Award-nominated American actress. ...
's monologue in 1989. A sketch involving "butt pregnancy" during the first broadcast of the November 12, 2005, Jason Lee episode was replaced with a musical sketch about cafeteria food during the repeat. In the earlier years of the show's history, reruns occasionally replaced weaker sketches with segments from other episodes, usually from episodes that did not have an encore showing at all.

Perhaps one of the most notable substitutions was the replacement of Sinéad O'ConnorSinéad O'Connor

Sinad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer and songwriter....
's October 3, 1992 live performanceFacts About Sinéad O'Connor

Sinad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer and songwriter....
 during which she destroyed a photograph of Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II , , born Karol Jzef Wojtyla reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from October 16 1978 until his ...
, with the dress rehearsal performance from earlier that evening.

The show is never live in the western half of the USA. There was a short experiment in which it did air live on the west coast in 2001 after live XFLXFL

The XFL was a professional American football league that played for only one season in 2001....
 football games. NBC airs a recording of the live show for the Mountain and Pacific time zones.

NBC and Broadway VideoBroadway Video

Broadway Video is an American independent entertainment company started by Lorne Michaels....
 share the copyright to every episode of the show made thus far. From 1990 until 2004, Comedy CentralComedy Central Summary

Comedy Central is a cable television channel in the United States....
 and its predecessor Ha!Ha!

The Comedy Network, owned by Viacom, was one of the first American all-comedy channels available to basic cable subscribers....
 re-aired reruns of the series, after which E! Entertainment TelevisionE!

E! is an American cable television and direct broadcast satellite network....
 signed a deal to reruns. Abbreviated thirty and sixty minute versions of the first five seasons aired as The Best of Saturday Night Live in syndication beginning in the 1980s and later on Nick at NiteNick at Nite Overview

Nick at Nite is an evening programming block broadcast over Nickelodeon Sunday–Thursdays from 9 PM–6 AM and Frid...
 in 1988, VH1VH1

etwork_name = VH1|network_logo =...
, Comedy CentralComedy Central

Comedy Central is a cable television channel in the United States....
 and E! Entertainment TelevisionE!

E! is an American cable television and direct broadcast satellite network....
.

Compilations

From time-to-time, SNL airs compilation shows. Such shows will feature hand-selected best sketches from the previous season; of a particular cast member or multiple-time host; or centered on a particular theme (eg. HalloweenHalloween

Halloween is an observance celebrated on the night of October 31, most notably by children dressing in costumes and going d...
, ChristmasChristmas

Christmas is a holiday on the Christian calendar, celebrating the birth of Jesus....
). Political sketches are typically culled for a special in presidential election years; the 2000 special was notable for having self-deprecating (though separate) appearances by candidates George W. BushGeorge W. Bush

This page is monitored by many people and bots, and joke edits are removed quickly....
 and Al GoreAl Gore

Albert Arnold Gore, Jr., is an American politician, teacher, businessman, and environmentalist who served as the 45th Vice P...
.

Delays

  • The show was forced by the network to run on a seven-second delay when Andrew Dice ClayAndrew Dice Clay

    Andrew "Dice" Clay is an American comedian and actor....
     and Richard PryorRichard Pryor

    subject_name = Richard Pryor| image_name = Richard Pryor.jpg...
     hosted.
  • The episode scheduled for October 25, 1986, hosted by Rosanna ArquetteRosanna Arquette Overview

    Rosanna Lauren Arquette is an American actress, film director, and film producer....
    , was not aired until November 8 due to NBC broadcasting Game 6 of the 1986 World Series1986 World Series

    The 1986 World Series, the 83rd playing of the modern championship series in Major League Baseball, was a memorable battle b...
    ; the game entered extra innings, causing that night's broadcast of SNL to be canceled. The show was recorded for the studio audience starting at 1:30 a.m. Eastern Time, and broadcast two weeks later with an "apology" by New York MetsNew York Mets

    The New York Mets are a Major League Baseball team based in Flushing, in the New York City Borough of Queens....
     pitcher Ron DarlingRon Darling

    Ronald Maurice Darling is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, ...
    .
  • The episode scheduled for February 10, 2001, hosted by Jennifer LopezJennifer Lopez

    Jennifer Lynn Lopez , popularly nicknamed J.Lo, is an American actress, singer, songwriter, dancer, and fashion design...
    , aired 45 minutes late due to an XFLXFL

    The XFL was a professional American football league that played for only one season in 2001....
     game. Lopez and the cast were not told they were airing on a delay.
  • During Eddie MurphyEddie Murphy

    Eddie Murphy is a comedian and actor....
    's last season, he negotiated to record a number of extra sketches in September 1983 that featured him and were broadcast in episodes for which he was not available. His last live show was with host Edwin NewmanEdwin Newman

    Edwin Newman is a journalist and writer....
     on February 25, 1984.
  • When Sam KinisonSam Kinison

    Samuel "Sam" Burl Kinison was an American stand-up comedian and actor....
     delivered a comic monologue in 1986, NBC removed his plea for the legalization of marijuanaCannabis (drug)

    The drug cannabis, also called marijuana, is produced from parts of the cannabis plant, primarily the cured flowers an...
     from the West Coast broadcast and all subsequent airings.
  • A portion of Martin LawrenceMartin Lawrence

    Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an American actor, comedian, director and producer....
    's 1994 monologue concerning feminine hygiene has been removed from all repeats, replaced with a voice-overVoice-over

    Voice-over describes the technique by which any disembodied voice is broadcast live or pre-recorded in radio, theater, indus...
     and intertitleIntertitle

    In motion pictures, an intertitle is a piece of filmed, printed text edited into the midst of the photographed action, at va...
    s stating that the excised portion "...was a frank and lively presentation, and nearly cost us all our jobs."
  • In a November 21, 1992 Wayne's WorldWayne's World

    Wayne's World was one of the most popular recurring sketches to come from the NBC television series, Saturday Night Live...
     sketch, the characters Wayne and Garth (respectively portrayed by Mike MyersMike Myers (actor)

    Michael "Mike" Myers is a Canadian actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer....
     and Dana CarveyDana Carvey

    Dana Thomas Carvey is an American actor and comedian best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and the spin-off mov...
    ) made fun of Chelsea ClintonChelsea Clinton

    Chelsea Victoria Clinton is the only child of former President Bill Clinton and United States Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton...
     (the then 13-year old daughter of President-Elect Bill ClintonBill Clinton

    William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001....
    ), implying that Chelsea was incapable of causing males to "Schwing!" (essentially meaning she was unattractive). This joke was subsequently edited out of all repeats and syndication rebroadcasts of this sketch.

On DVD

Saturday Night Live: The Complete First Season was released on DVDDVD

DVD is an optical disc storage media format that can be used for data storage, including movies with high video and sound q...
 by Universal StudiosUniversal Studios

Universal Studios, a subsidiary of NBC Universal, is one of the major American film studios that has production studios and ...
 on December 5, 2006.

The complete second season was released in the US on DVD on December 4, 2007., and the third season on May 13, 2008.

In addition to the full season releases, there have been multiple releases both on VHS and DVD of former cast members, guest hosts, documentaries, musical performances and themed compilations of sketches as well as a release of the show's 25 year anniversary.

See also

  • List of late-night American network TV programs
  • Fridays (ABC TV series)
  • The Kids in the HallThe Kids in the Hall

    The Kids in the Hall was a Canadian sketch comedy group, consisting of comedians Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCul...


Further reading

  • Cader, Michael. (1994). Saturday Night Live: The First Twenty Years. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-70895-8.
  • Hill, Doug, and Jeff Weingrad. (1986). Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live. New York, NY: Beech Tree Books. ISBN 0-688-05099-9.
  • Mohr, Jay. (2004). Gasping for Airtime: Two Years in the Trenches of Saturday Night Live. New York, NY: Hyperion. ISBN 1-4013-0006-5.
  • Shales, Tom, and James Andrew Miller. (2002). Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live. Boston, MA: Little, Brown. ISBN 0-316-78146-0.
  • Streeter, Michael. (2005). Nothing Lost Forever: The Films of Tom Schiller. New York, NY: BearManor Media. ISBN 1593930321.

External links