When the subject of television institutions is brought up, there are always a few big names that routinely make it into that conversation. In the realm of comedy, and specifically sketch comedy, there is no other name like “Saturday Night Live.” When it premiered in 1975 with its “not ready for primetime players,” it became a hit that was often imitated but never surpassed. There were some times along the way where its fate was in jeopardy, but as it approaches the end of its 49th season, its broadcast network, NBC, has some plans in store to ring in its golden anniversary.
The last time “SNL” had a celebratory milestone was ten years ago on its 40th anniversary. The special was notable for bringing back Eddie Murphy to make some remarks, reviving the Celebrity Jeopardy sketch with a star-studded cast, and inviting back in original cast members like Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Bill Murray, and others. There were quite a few other throwback sketches, impressions, and musical performances. Kanye West also performed but uh, somehow we doubt he’ll be coming back for this go-around.
The whole affair was three and a half hours long and the upcoming 50th Anniversary Special will be a touch shorter at three hours even. The details of the special haven’t been revealed, but it will be part of a “celebratory weekend.” That phrase makes a bit more sense once you find out that the three hour special will be airing on February 16th from 8:00 – 11:00 PM. That’s uh, on a Sunday… so yeah we’d hope there’d be something going on for Saturday, otherwise it kind of detracts from the whole, Saturday night part of “Saturday Night Live.”
There’s been a great deal of speculation regarding what’s going to happen with the program’s head honcho, Lorne Michaels in the upcoming years. With his 80th birthday drawing near it’s only natural to wonder how much more gas he has in the tank. Fifty years seems like a natural endpoint, but Michaels also maintains a lot of sway at NBC given that he’s the executive producer of the current iteration of “The Tonight Show” and “Late Night.” The man basically owns NBC after 11:00pm, and “Saturday Night Live” is still a prominent element of popular culture, especially if the recent Beavis and Butthead sketch is anything to go by.
We’re sure there’ll be more information to come regarding the 50th anniversary of “SNL” and we’ll update you as we learn more.
