The Revival of Saturday Night Live in the Youth

Image Courtesy: Vulture

Saturday Night Live, better known as SNL, has been a pillar in the rituals of Americans since 1975. With the new movie Saturday Night documenting the special’s first chaotic showing, it is apparent that this show has had ups and downs during its airtime in the past fifty years. The rise in young viewers is a particular “up” the special has been experiencing. From “Weekend Update” with Colin Jost to the Domingo sketch starring Marcello Hernández, it is evident that SNL has been hitting a goldmine with younger audiences such as Gen Z.

When people think of SNL, they think of iconic cast members such as Bill Hader, Chevy Chase, and Tina Fey. What’s even more notable than the cast members are their legendary sketches like Weekend Update, occurring since the original live showing of the special in 1975. The show’s creator and lead producer, Lorne Michaels, stated, “To me, there’s no creativity without boundaries,” which is what SNL has stuck to for half a decade. So, what has changed? How has SNL revived its popularity with the younger generation? The simple answer? Learning to adapt to the all-powerful force of society — the Internet. The Internet is imperative for the show’s success because, in our day and age, the Internet is a form of shared comedy among the younger generations.

Image Courtesy: New York Times

In the last season of SNL, audiences were captivated by skits that could not stop playing in their head, no matter how hard they tried. For example, the sketch “Wicked Auditions” was one of the most rewatched of the season. SNL's writers leaned into the fascination with the musical story of Oz, which paid off for the viewers and showrunners. Again, in creating a top skit, SNL utilized the Internet with “Bridesmaids Speech” starring Marcello Hernández and Ariana Grande. This act utilized the Internet’s infatuation with rising it-girl Sabrina Carpenter and her song “Espresso,” creating a parody about a bride’s infidelity during her bachelorette trip. This sketch went viral on TikTok, where users posted just how catchy the song was. Some were even discussing how they enjoyed it more than the original song. Even when comparing these successful comedy acts to long-running segments, the potential to attract younger audiences still exists. Take “Weekend Update,” an original tradition of the show. This segment has been so successful because it can keep adapting and changing, adding jokes as they become popular while having a classic comedy style in delivery. Having young hosts such as Colin Jost and Michael Che helps make the younger audiences feel seen and contributes to resonation with the show.

Image Courtesy: New York Times

SNL is a ritualistic, iconic, and revolutionary show. It requires evolution, as audiences will never be the same two seasons in a row. The founder of SNL is correct that creativity is nothing without parameters, and it is inspiring to see such a longstanding show continue to push the boundaries of contemporary comedy. With the 51st season approaching, we can only hope that SNL continues to acknowledge the impact of the internet in a way that invites young viewers and ensures the continued success of the show.

Strike Out,

Writer: Sophie Palmer

Editor: Emily Montarroyos

Graphic Designer: Cole Martucci

Tallahassee



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