America, as the most culturally and politically divided country in the world, has very few aspects that all citizens could collectively agree upon. Presidential elections, policies, restaurant reviews, fashion critiques, and even kids TV programs are now viewed as controversial. Usually, controversy kills expressive media by deeming it unfit for public consumption. This is true in most cases except for one exceptionally disputable art form: Saturday Night Live!
Saturday Night Live was created in 1975 by comedians Dick Ebersol and Lorne Michaels as a late night television program meant to mix improvisational comedy with American political and cultural news. The program was the first of its kind and kicked off a series of changes for American television including the normalization of controversial humor in the media.
Because of its unparalleled nature and famously hilarious skits, Saturday Night Live has been televised every saturday night on NBC for the last 50 years, making it one of the longest running programs in television history. The show consists of a cast of regular comedians who appear every Saturday along with guest hosts and live performances.
Recently, comedians Micheal Che, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernandez, Colin Jost, and many other contributors have instigated the resurgence of the Saturday Night Live obsession with a creativity the show has never seen before. From sketches imitating presidential candidates to news briefs about crazy bridesmaids, the show just seems to be getting more and more unique every episode, without losing its original controversial nature.
One of the reasons for the recurring success of the program is in fact its ability to be argued. The media thrives on discussion and with the show’s reputation for being one of the most eccentric forms of media, there is always something being chronically discussed. The controversy gets people thinking, bringing about the emergence of new ideas and theories about how humor and culture can fit under one umbrella.
Another reason for SNL’s recent popularity is the diversity that the show makes sure to exhibit. The show’s recurring cast includes hispanic, black, white, and asian comedians and includes skits based on the cultural reality of those ethnicities. From Pedro Pascal and Marcelo Hernandez playing hispanic abuelas to Kenan Thompson portraying a world renowned basketball star, the sense of diversity incorporated into the show makes it one of the most relatable series’ to reach the American People.
As a country, laughter is always appreciated and enjoyed, even in the midst of a crisis. Saturday Night Live is more than just a humorous show, it is a depiction of the joy and unity we as a country can experience through media. Every Saturday night is a new chance to watch history unravel as Saturday Night Live continues to push the boundaries deemed controversial while still allowing viewers to have the full benefits of a wholehearted laugh.
