For almost 40 years now Saturday Night Live has been what many Americans have turned to for laughs & sanity. It has endured through cultural, political, & cast changes that many thought would surely be the end of SNL. The fact that it is still around says a lot about the show, but also a lot about America. It shows that no matter what the circumstance, America loves to laugh... or even, America needs to laugh. Whether it's satirical comedy or slapstick comedy, America needs a healthy outlet for all of its pent up frustrations, & SNL seems to be the perfect answer to that call.
Along with being an American institution, SNL has also become the place where some of the world's most beloved comedic stars are born. Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Chris Farely, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrel... the list is almost endless. This habit of producing stars is something SNL has become known for, despite dramatic cast changes. Remember is 1995 when Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Kevin Nealon, and a few others all left, & in came Will Ferrel, Cheri Oteri, Darrel Hammond, and the rest of the new cast? I do, and I remember thinking that was the end, that it would never be funny again. Of course I was very wrong. The comedic style did change, but not the comedic value. I'm sure people felt the same way when the original cast starting getting replaced by those who left in '95, but low & behold it endured. I've noticed that we as viewers become attached to the cast members like family, & when they leave it is heart-breaking. But all good things must come to an end, & this is something producer Lorne Michaels is very much aware of. SNL's ability to change with the times it what has kept it going through the years, & I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I hope the SNL train never stops.
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