Still the pipeline for comedy stardom and political cold opens.
Why it matters
Episode guide
1009 episodes across 52 seasons — season-by-season catalog (titles and dates, not a recap dump).
At a glance
Live sketch comedy from New York every weekend that can mint stars, roast politicians, or crash in real time. Casts turn over; the cold open remains a national ritual. Talent factory and scandal factory in one studio.
Network & studio
- NBC — broadcast network
- Broadway Video — production studio
- Universal Television — production studio
- SNL Studios — production studio
Why watch now
Still the pipeline for comedy stardom and political cold opens — appointment chaos that no algorithm fully replaced.
Cultural impact
SNL is a parallel industry: cast books, host disasters, and meme seasons that shape American humor. Five decades of “did you see last night?” starts here.
Creators
Lorne Michaels
Key cast
- Lorne Michaels as Creator / Executive Producer
- Chevy Chase as Not Ready for Prime Time Player
- John Belushi as Not Ready for Prime Time Player
- Dan Aykroyd as Not Ready for Prime Time Player
- Gilda Radner as Not Ready for Prime Time Player
Flash facts
- NBC late-night live sketch series created by Lorne Michaels; premiered October 11, 1975 (originally titled NBC's Saturday Night).
- Mixes ensemble sketches, Weekend Update, musical guests, and a different host each week.
- Still in production decades later; original 1970s cast nicknamed the Not Ready for Prime Time Players.
FAQ
Who created Saturday Night Live?
Lorne Michaels created the show and has long served as executive producer.
When did SNL premiere?
October 11, 1975, on NBC.
Is each episode live?
Yes—the flagship New York episodes are performed live to air (with rare taped exceptions).
Cultural eras
Official & further reading
External sites for further reading — TV Flash is not affiliated with these networks or studios.
Back to the decade
Also on the dial
Related & side shows
SCTV
Second City Television — Melonville media satire for comedy nerds who quote deep cuts.
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Disco-era space hero thawed out for laser fights and Twiki sidekick comedy.
CHiPs
Ponch and Jon on freeways of gold — California Highway Patrol as sunshine action.
Land of the Lost
Sleestak nightmares — Saturday-morning pocket universe with real craft.
Adam-12
One-Adam-12 — black-and-white patrol as Jack Webb moral clarity.
McCloud
New Mexico marshal in New York — boots on asphalt fish-out-of-water crime.