The New Yorker Radio Hour
How “Saturday Night Live” Reinvented Television, Fifty Years Ago
Jan 24, 2025
Susan Morrison, editor at New Yorker and author of "Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live," dives into the legacy of Lorne Michaels and the revolutionary impact of SNL on television comedy. She discusses how Michaels innovatively refreshed the cast to resonate with younger audiences. Tina Fey, a notable SNL alumna, shares a reading from a 1975 review, capturing the show's initial audacity. Together, they explore SNL's blend of spontaneity, satire, and the cultural significance that has defined its fifty-year journey.
37:50
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Quick takeaways
- Lorne Michaels' strategic approach to cast replenishment helped SNL remain fresh and relevant across shifting cultural landscapes over fifty years.
- The show's innovative format and irreverent humor positioned SNL as a critical counterpoint to conventional television, influencing generations of comedy.
Deep dives
The Birth of a Comedy Institution
Saturday Night Live (SNL) emerged in 1975 as a groundbreaking comedy show, initially featuring a cast of relatively unknown performers like Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, and John Belushi. Its format revolved around a mix of skits, music, and monologues, deliberately contrasting with the conventional celebrity-driven entertainment of the time. The show's satirical and irreverent spirit allowed it to critique social norms and cultural issues, positioning SNL as a counterpoint to more sanitized programming. Critics noted that it broke away from the previous norms of commercial television comedy, appealing to audiences who were disenchanted with traditional formats.
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