As I delve into this illustrious roster of Saturday Night Live (SNL) alumni, it’s nothing short of astonishing to appreciate the wealth of talent and versatility these individuals possess. From the comedic genius of Adam Sandler and Tina Fey to the captivating performances of Eddie Murphy and Kristen Wiig, their lives have been a whirlwind of laughter, tears, and everything in between.

The inaugural broadcast of “Saturday Night” on NBC took place live from New York City on October 11, 1975. Visually, it resembled discarded trash – drab shades of gray and brown, slightly dusty yet somehow damp as well. The sets seemed to have been abandoned on the city streets for a few days. Notably, the main stage was laid with real bricks, suggesting that the show wasn’t just set in New York but seemed to be playing directly on its streets. As creator Lorne Michaels explained to Rolling Stone in 1979, “It reflected what New York was like at that time – rundown, dilapidated, and cherished because of it.

In This Issue

Reasons to Love New York 2024

Moving Saturday Night Live (SNL) to Los Angeles might seem more practical due to cost savings, as the crew wouldn’t need to squeeze a dozen sets into limited Manhattan real estate each week. However, producing SNL isn’t simple; it’s challenging and intricate. New York City and SNL have a profound connection, having shaped and been shaped by each other over time. They’ve maintained this relationship by respectfully preserving their history while simultaneously tearing it down to make way for the new and upcoming.

In the 1970s, numerous films portrayed New York as a city filled with danger, immorality, and decay, which became a lasting image for decades. Saturday Night Live (SNL) emerged during this period, but instead of dwelling in darkness like other movies, SNL found humor in the situation, serving as a comedic relief from the stresses of living in New York and the United States.

As a variety show, it’s not expected that every audience member will enjoy each sketch equally. For instance, in a November episode, host John Mulaney presented his sixth musical parody, this time focusing on an obscure New York curiosity: milk sold at the Duane Reade in Port Authority. Previous skits have tackled subjects like subway churros and I ❤️ NY underwear from Times Square gift shops. The following morning, my colleagues and I critically analyzed it, much like sports radio callers dissecting a New York game. We generally agreed that the 2018 “Diner Lobster,” which humorously depicted ordering lobster at a Greek diner, remains the best in the series. It combined a single musical reference (Les Misérables) and a local observation, while more recent sketches seem to be a collection of tourist-level New York observations. Despite this, we found ourselves among the millions who believe SNL was funnier in the past. Yet, just like other institutions, SNL thrives on debate and criticism, reflecting the love-hate relationship many have with New York City.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say Saturday Night Live (SNL) is more like the New York Knicks rather than the Yankees. Following it means holding on to the hope that one day, they will crack the code for a season of flawless comedy sketches. Yet, such perfection seems elusive and misguided because it wouldn’t truly mirror the essence of life in this city. Instead, we appreciate how the show encapsulates the energy of creating the show itself – the tense, rushed, and ambitious attempts to figure things out on the fly. Each week, they fall short, but somehow, the show still airs. Isn’t that remarkable?

**In the Cast and Host Roster:**

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2024-12-02 15:53