Since the show’s debut in 1975, “Saturday Night Live” has been more than just a comedy sketch show—serving as a reflection of current events with a hint of comedic relief.
In a way, “SNL” has become the heart of pop culture, capturing the spirit of each time era while influencing how we see the world around us.
I’ve been watching “SNL” for as long as I can remember. My dad would watch the show every Saturday night, no matter what. I’ve seen the show at its highs and lows. I’ve watched the cast change more times than I can count. It’s gotten to the point where when something big happens in the news or the pop culture universe, I start anticipating when “SNL” will cover it.
“SNL” doesn’t just reflect pop culture—it helps create it. Over the years, cast members, hosts and guests have all benefited from their time on the show. Comedians we all know and love like Adam Sandler, Bill Murray, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler all got their start on “SNL.” The show serves as a platform for comedians to show the world what they’re capable of.
The hosts and musical guests often reflect who is trending at the time. Each week, the host brings their style and energy, whether they’re a seasoned comedian, an actor or even an athlete.
Recently, “SNL” has secured a lot of names meant to attract younger audiences like Charli XCX, Jenna Ortega, Miles Teller and Austin Butler.
They do the same with the musical guests. Chappell Roan was a musical guest this season, and her performance generated one of the loudest crowds I’ve heard on “SNL” in a long time.
“SNL’s” live weekly format sets it apart as an instant reaction to what’s happening in the world. Whether addressing major political events or poking fun at viral trends, the show captures the moment in real time.
The best example of this would be the show’s segment, Weekend Update. This segment, currently hosted by Colin Jost and Micheal Che, is a comedic take on the week’s top news stories.
The hosts take up a good chunk in the middle of every show to poke fun at the current political state, pop culture and anything else they deem newsworthy. I find that the comedic relief this segment provides is needed.
In a world like today where the facts are everywhere, it’s nice to take a step back and laugh at it. Jost and Che will sometimes write the jokes for each other and keep them a secret until the live show. These episodes are always my favorite.
What makes “SNL” unique is its ability to act as a time capsule. Each season and episode offers a snapshot of what mattered at that moment. Watching old episodes isn’t just a trip down memory lane, but it’s also a way to understand what people were thinking, laughing at and worried about during specific periods in history.
Recently, I watched an episode from 2017 with host Ryan Gosling and musical guest Jay-Z. Gosling was there to promote one of my favorite movies, “La La Land,” which was the theme of his opening monologue.
When it was time for Jay-Z to perform, my boyfriend and I started to guess what songs he’d do. We had to think about what he was doing back in 2017 and what his biggest hits were at that time. The sketches were filled to the brim with popular names from that time and trends. One of the sketches was about being “woke” and wearing Levi’s jeans. Watching this sketch, I thought “wow this is so 2017.” It felt like I was transported back in 2017 watching this episode.
“SNL” isn’t just part of pop culture; it defines it. Through its constantly changing cast, hosts and sketches, the show continues to capture the essence of every era, blending humor with cultural significance in a way no other show can.
