Saturday Night Live is a very successful, Emmy Award-winning comedy/variety show that airs live on Saturday nights on NBC. The show runs for 90 minutes and features a celebrity guest host as well as a musical guest. Since its 1975 debut, the show has broadcast countless classic comedy sketches and launched the careers of many famous comedians, including Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell.
History
Lorne Michaels came up with the idea for SNL in 1974. He wanted to make something for the baby boomer generation, a show that would be more edgy and experimental. Network directors doubted its potential, thinking that the show was too experimental for its target demographic.
The show first aired as NBC's Saturday Night on October 11, 1975. ABC had a program called Saturday Night Live that year but canceled it in 1976, after which NBC adopted the title for its show.
