"Saturday Night Live" or "SNL" has been around for over 40 years and not only has it been a long-lasting show but it's also been able to stay relevant and honest throughout the years. Even now, some jokes that were told 25 years ago are still funny and usually still hold true. Here is the countdown of the top 10 ways "SNL" has remained funny, honest and completely and utterly timeless.
1. Choosing different and dynamic hosts
A huge part of "Saturday Night Live" is the host. Each week, the host is the star of the show and determines how the episode will play out. Another big part of "SNL"'s appeal is that different types of celebrities are brought on each week. Since 1975, when the show premiered, the series has kept a constant string of quality hosts who almost always gel well with the cast.
2. Keeping the show "live from New York"
In the '70s, beside the late-night talk shows, "Saturday Night Live" was one of the first shows to perform live in front of a studio audience. Not only did they perform live, but they performed live in New York City and regularly embraced and integrated the city into their weekly show. They've stayed in the same place, on the same network, and at the same late-night time slot since their start, keeping it constant for many years.
3. The writing
In order for a "Saturday Night Live" skit to even be created or performed it has to be written. "Saturday Night Live" has always had a knack for employing capable and talented writers. It's employed now-famous writers like Tina Fey and Seth Meyers. Although they don't always get a lot of credit, the writers hold an incredible amount of power and work under a tremendous amount of pressure to create clever and interesting skits for the show every week.
4. Video shorts
For a long time, "SNL" created comedic videos or "video shorts." When Andy Samberg came on the show with his two other writing partners they re-invigorated the video shorts. By coming up with quirky and ingenious ideas, Andy Samberg and his crew wrote and filmed now-famous video shorts like "Lazy Sunday" and "D*** in a Box." These types of videos are just the right length to keep you interested the whole time but also keep you looking for more, which makes them widely credited for the success of YouTube.
5. Casting
The cast of "Saturday Night Live" is always flourishing with new ideas and unparalleled talent. The show started the careers of many famous comedians like Eddie Murphy and Jimmy Fallon. The host is supposed to be the star for the week but a hilarious cast is always there to back them up, even sometimes outshining the host. The cast really is the show and being a member of it is a dream for many people.
6. Catchphrases
Catchphrases are sometimes the most famous and everlasting part of the "Saturday Night Live." They are easily recognizable and very fun to say. By yelling things out like "we just want to pump you up" and "buh-bye" you add so much to your conversation and can bring back good memories.
7. Weekend Update
Weekend Update was a part of "SNL" from the beginning. It was a satirical playoff of the nightly news and still works today even though now you don't need to the watch the news to know the news. People like Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers were extremely successful Weekend Update anchors; they were so good at it, they eventually were both given their own late night talk shows. For many, Weekend Update is a very high point in the "Saturday Night Live" episode and is consistently funny.
8. Political humor
Political humor has always been shown on "SNL." Sometimes they portray the politicians in such a true and honest way it affects the actual election that's happening in real life. Presidents and politicians make cameos regularly; Ronald Reagan's son even hosted once. Political humor can be very dull if done incorrectly and "Saturday Night Live" never misses.
9. Lorne Michaels
Lorne Michaels has been at the helm of this show since the very, very beginning. He created the whole idea of "Saturday Night Live" and stills works on it today over 40 years later. Not only does he produce the show but if one of the cast members does a solo project he helps and guides that too. He is a smart and successful producer of "SNL" and has changed TV and comedy forever.
10. Undying creativity and comedic talent
"Saturday Night Live"'s purpose is to create funny and creative skits, monologues and video shorts that make the viewers think and laugh. The show has been doing these things successfully for 40+ years and continues to do it today. It is completely timeless.
