“Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” — is a phrase any New Yorker, new or native, has come to know. Since 1975, “Saturday Night Live” (“SNL”) has woven its way into New York culture, becoming the city’s comedic backbone. It produced stars such as Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell and Tina Fey; some of Hollywood’s funniest actors got their start on this increasingly popular and bold sketch comedy show. However, it’s no secret that “SNL” has lost some of its momentum over the past couple years. Even avid viewers would tune in every Saturday night, only to go to bed having barely cracked a smile. This year it faces its 50th anniversary and season, creating much hubbub around its recent successes, or lack thereof. What is the cause for this plague of unfunniness “SNL” seems to have caught?
Since 2021, “SNL’s” professional ratings, as well as general fan consensus, has dwindled. After the 46th season, the show suffered a 35% decline in ratings. Additionally, amidst the writers strike, a poll revealed that over half of adults did not miss “SNL’s” presence in their lives. Is the age of live comedy over, or is “SNL” specifically choking?
This dilemma has only been made more challenging as some of the program’s most notable cast members (such as Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson and Cecily Strong) have left the show to pursue other avenues of their careers in recent years. It’s possible that the loss of their familiar funny faces has put a damper on “SNL’s” viewership, but it also could be the result of the natural life cycle of live television. One of the most popular late night shows of the 2010s, “The Late Late Show with James Corden” found ways to stay relevant with comedic segments like “Carpool Karaoke,” “Crosswalk the Musical” and “Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts.” It featured stars that transcended popular culture such as Michelle Obama and Prince Harry. However, its final seasons saw more expenditure than revenue, and it ultimately became detrimental enough that the show had to air its last episode in April of 2023. If a show as immensely admired and widely known as Corden’s shut down, what does that mean for “SNL’s” future?
It’s hard to predict exactly how this season of “Saturday Night Live” will play out, but the addition of some fresh faces are sure to generate some traction. “SNL’s” newest featured players include Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline. Padilla, like many cast members, was discovered from her work at the Groundlings Main Company in Los Angeles where she had been performing for three years. Wakim had already made his NBC debut at “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” back in 2022. Lastly, Wickline has already cemented herself as a comedian with a steady following on TikTok (with over 950,000 followers). When NBC released their new cast members, I immediately recognized her face from her hilariously-awkward videos that would constantly find their way onto my TikTok For You Page over the past few years.
The lineup of hosts this year holds a lot of potential, combining actors and musicians that reach a multitude of audiences. Oct. 12 welcomes Ariana Grande with the legendary Stevie Nicks. The following Saturday, Michael Keaton is scheduled to share the live screen with Billie Eilish. I’m most excited for Nov. 2, when John Mulaney returns to Studio 8H for his sixth time as host, and Chappell Roan graces the stage for her live performances. From the promise of exciting host lineups to the suspense of new players, season 50 of “SNL” is shaping up to be a memorable one.
While “Saturday Night Live” has faced some unpopularity in recent years, I will continue to defend it. I have been a consistent viewer, and last year I had the opportunity to attend the live recording of an episode. After scoring lottery tickets and waiting in line on a rainy December night, my group and I made it to NBC’s eighth floor. The experience was so surreal in the fact that I could see all of the heart and character it took into making one sketch, one performance, one episode. No matter how freezing and drenched the weekend had proven to be, witnessing Emma Stone join the Five Timers Club and Noah Kahan perform “Stick Season” made the experience completely worth it. So worth it, in fact, that my friends are tired of hearing me talk about it nearly 10 months later. I strongly encourage students to take advantage of the fact that with a little luck and some determination, they could spend their weekend behind the scenes at one of New York’s most famous television programs.
Whether or not this is the beginning of the end for “Saturday Night Live,” it’s hard to tell. What I do know is that no matter how many points its ratings may drop, “SNL” will continue to prove itself relevant in today’s society. As the start of its 50th year approaches, we as New Yorkers must appreciate its cultural significance and comedic influence, and maybe even go to a live recording ourselves, before we declare its untimely death.
