Saturday, Sept. 28 marked the 50th anniversary of the premiere of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). The show started as a throwaway project, something to fill the 11:30 p.m. air time. The cast was stacked with young, unknown comics and no one expected it to be renewed for a second season, much less 50 more.
While the show has maintained aspects of the charm that propelled it, based on this season’s opening episode, I’m doubtful it can survive another half-century.
The first episode back should be one of the strongest. The three-month break in between seasons provides ample time to develop remarkable sketches. But this episode felt more akin to the dreaded yet inevitable mid-season lulls.
The primary obstacle SNL faces is the inability to keep up with trends. The cycle of what’s popular online keeps speeding up. Two years ago, something could last in the mainstream for weeks before fading into obscurity. But now within days social media turns on whatever was just adored, making a topical reference into a cringe-inducing one.
What’s popular on Monday, when the show begins writing its weekly sketches, will rarely maintain its humor by Saturday. While SNL isn’t at fault for the speed at which trends are disposed of, it still makes the show feel out of touch.
The most infamous sketches generally do not rely on pop culture. They are regarded as classics because anyone can watch them without background information on the episode’s socio-economic state. While the show has always relied on comedy through commentary, social media makes doing so more competitive. Most of what can be said will be posted before the show airs, leaving SNL to feel unoriginal.
Furthermore, the show struggles with its demographic. The primary audience is Generation X (ages 44-59) yet many sketches attempt to appeal to younger generations. The producers know the longevity of SNL depends on Generation Z engagement, but they also understand that they have to maintain their dominant viewers.
The result is imbalanced. The show frequently throws in a reference that only teenagers would get in a sketch that does not match their humor. It’s a wink at the audience that they’re trying to reach, but ultimately nothing more.
SNL helped launch dozens of careers, from actors like Chevy Chase, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Jim Henson with “The Muppets.” Part of the show’s allure is that you’re potentially watching a career unfold; every new cast member could be the next Bill Murray. But the last few years have been disappointing. Instead of using the show as a jumping point, somewhere to start before branching out, numerous cast members have made a career in SNL.
While it initially seemed like comic Pete Davidson would become the next A-list alum, he’s been mostly inactive since leaving the show. Other than a handful of small roles in projects like “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies” or “The Suicide Squad,” Davidson’s post-SNL career is nothing compared to previous cast members. This fear of leaving the show only to fade from public view seems to push the current cast to hold their positions for as long as possible. What was once the ticket to comedic fame has become the destination.
However, season 50’s first episode had some highlights. The show played to host Jean Smart’s strengths with most sketches matching her dry, sardonic wit. SNL”alum Dana Carvey made an appearance during the cold open. Carvey played President Joe Biden, a role eight others have struggled to depict, but he brought a celebrated performance that will hopefully stick.
A standout sketch was “Textbook Writer,” where Smart played a romance novelist turned algebra textbook author. But most of the other sketches were reliant on the audience’s understanding of popular culture, a sign it might not age well. The episode received an average score of 6.4 out of 10 on IMDb, only affirming that the show is struggling.
As someone who could quote “More Cowbell” since middle school, I always root for the show. But it’s difficult when this is the season’s running start.
