The first episode of NBC’s Saturday Night aired live from New York on October 11, 1975, and looked like literal trash — gray, brown, muted, somehow both dusty and wet, with sets that appeared to have been left on the sidewalk for a few days. The center stage was paved in real brick, as if the show were being performed not just in New York but on it as well. “It’s what New York was at that time and still is,” creator Lorne Michaels told Rolling Stone in 1979. “Deteriorated, run-down, and loved because of it.”
It probably would be easier to make Saturday Night Live in Los Angeles. It definitely would be cheaper. No longer would the crew need to cram about a dozen sets into a paltry 6,000 square feet of valuable Manhattan real estate every week. But SNL isn’t easy. It’s cramped. It’s indulgently difficult to produce. New York and SNL were made for each other. They were made by each other by reverently mythologizing their history while also irreverently demolishing it to make way for whatever was new and next, like a postwar building that’s periodically renovated to keep up with trends. Later this winter, the show will be throwing itself a series of birthday parties celebrating 50 years on the air. The stamina required to do the same show, at the same place, at the same time, 20-odd times a year is unfathomable in the modern TV landscape. It’s even more extraordinary as far as New York institutions go. In the same stretch of time, Studio 54 went from a chic nightlife spot to a generic rock venue to a Broadway theater, and CBGB went from a punk-rock breeding ground to a store selling $1,900 studded “Alice Cooper” leather biker jackets. SNL, meanwhile, has become so interwoven into the pace of New York City and how we organize its place in the culture that it feels unbound by time, as if it had always existed and always will.
In the 1970s, the culture was not lacking for depictions of New York. So many iconic movies were made during this time, about this time, that its version of the city as dangerous, depraved, and degraded lingered for decades. SNL started from the same image, but where the movies wallowed in darkness, SNL found a joke, acting as a built-in end-of-week release valve to the tension of living in this city and in this country. When Mayor Adams was indicted this fall, SNL had Devon Walker impersonate him days later, defending himself for accepting flights from Turkish-government officials. (“New York City needs me in first class: Shoes off. Tie off. Bracelets on. Getting my shoulders rubbed by a nice Turkish lady named Bahar.”) When Steve Buscemi was punched by a stranger last spring, six days later on SNL an NYPD sergeant (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) held a press conference to say “Stop punching character actors in the face.” To say nothing of the years of sketches and jokes about rats, pigeons, and lanternflies. SNL has built a reputation as the way New York sees America, but it’s also always been the way America sees New York.
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By design, as a variety show, it does not require any one person to like every sketch. Take a November episode in which host John Mulaney performed his sixth musical parody about hyperspecific New York curiosities. Previous installments have covered subway churros and Times Square gift shops that sell I ❤️ NY tighty-whities. The latest one was about milk sold at the Duane Reade in Port Authority. The morning after it aired, my colleagues picked it apart like callers into a New York sports-radio show. We all agreed that 2018’s “Diner Lobster,” about ordering lobster at a Greek diner, is still the best of the set. It had focused on one musical (Les Misérables) and an observation that could only have been made by someone living here, while increasingly these sketches have become musical pastiches of tourist-level observations. Sure, this made us the 50,000,000th New Yorker to say SNL was funnier in the past. But like all of our institutions, SNL exists partly to be argued over and complained about, mirroring the love-hate relationship the rest of the country has with New York.
SNL is less the Yankees than the Knicks; following it means hoping that one of these days, they are going to figure it all out and create a full season of perfect sketch comedy. But such perfection is both impossible and wrongheaded, as it wouldn’t properly reflect the reality of existing in this city. Instead, we enjoy that the show captures the feeling of making the show, of anxiously, hurriedly, ambitiously trying to figure it all out in real time. Every week, they fail to do so, and yet it airs anyway. Isn’t that special?
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IN THE PORTFOLIO: Fred Armisen, cast (2002–13) Alec Baldwin, 17-time host (1990–2017) Vanessa Bayer, cast (2010–17) Candice Bergen, five-time host (1975–90) Aidy Bryant, cast (2012–22) Dana Carvey, cast (1986–93) Chevy Chase, cast and, writer (1975–76) Michael Che, writer (2013–present), cast (2014–present) Ellen Cleghorne, cast (1991–95) Billy Crystal, cast (1984–85) Jane Curtin, cast (1975–80) Pete Davidson, cast (2014–22) Rachel Dratch, cast (1999–2006) Nora Dunn, cast (1985–90) Jimmy Fallon, cast (1998–2004) Tina Fey, writer (1997–2006), cast (2000–6) Will Forte, cast (2002–10) Janeane Garofalo, cast (1994–95) Ana Gasteyer, cast (1996–2002) Bill Hader, cast (2005–13) Darrell Hammond, cast (1995–2009), announcer (2014–present) Marcello Hernández, cast (2022–present) James Austin Johnson, cast (2021–present) Leslie Jones, cast and, writer (2014–19) Colin Jost, writer (2005–present), cast (2014–present) Chris Kattan, cast (1996–2003) Julia Louis-Dreyfus, cast (1982–85) Steve Martin, 16-time host (1976–2022) Kate McKinnon, cast (2012–22) Tim Meadows, cast (1991–2000) Seth Meyers, cast (2001–14), writer (2003–14) Tracy Morgan, cast (1996–2003) Garrett Morris, cast (1975–80) John Mulaney, writer (2008–13), six-time host (2018–24) Mike Myers, cast (1989–95) Laraine Newman, cast (1975–80) Don Novello, writer (1978–80 1985–86), cast (1979–80, 1985–86) Cheri Oteri, cast (1995–2000) Chris Parnell, cast (1998–2006) Nasim Pedrad, cast (2009–14) Jay Pharoah, cast (2010–16) Joe Piscopo, cast (1980–84) Amy Poehler, cast (2001–8) Maya Rudolph, cast (2000–7) Andy Samberg, cast (2005–12) Molly Shannon, cast (1995–2001) Sarah Sherman, cast (2021–present) Martin Short, cast (1984–85) Sarah Silverman, cast and, writer (1993–94) David Spade, writer (1990–91), cast (1990–96) Cecily Strong, cast (2012–22) Jason Sudeikis, writer (2003–5), cast (2005–13) Julia Sweeney, cast (1990–94) Terry Sweeney, writer (1980–81 1985–86), cast (1985–86) Kenan Thompson, cast (2003–present) Christopher Walken, seven-time host (1990–2008) Kristen Wiig, cast (2005–12), five-time host (2013–24) Casey Wilson, cast (2008–9) Bowen Yang, writer (2018–19), cast (2019–present) Sasheer Zamata, cast (2014–17)
Photo: David LaChapelle for New York MagazinePhoto: David LaChapellePhoto: David LaChapellePhoto: David LaChapellePhoto: David LaChapelle
Production Credits
Portfolio by David LaChapelle
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Styling by Anna Trevelyan (NYC, L.A.). Style assisting by Mike Snavely, Niambi Moore, Rashied Black, Devanté Rollins, and Jacqueline Moore (NYC). Style assisting by Damien Lloyd and Bin X Nguyen (L.A.).
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Tailoring by Taylor Spong (NYC).
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Hair by Larry Dean McDaniel (NYC, L.A.). Hair assisting by Jimmy Salazar, Bonnie Subnick, Mariah Molina, and Mideyah Parker (NYC, L.A.).
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Makeup by Euni Lee (L.A.). Makeup assisting by Julia Auch and Faith Jaramillo (L.A.).
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Makeup by Charlotte Willer using Chanel Beauty at Home Agency (NYC). Makeup assisting by Sony Watson, Kim K. Pham, and Hannah Lauren (NYC).
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Executive production by Michael Scheideler
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Production by Anna Magriplis
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Production design by Ethan Tobman. Studio management by Ethan Haug. Studio lead by Tommy Pagano Farnault. Production coordination by Pietro Clemente (NYC). Production supervision by Desiree Lauro (L.A.). Production management by Henry Santa Maria (L.A.). 1st assistant directing by Harry Shamamian (NYC). 2nd assistant directing by Will Hudson (NYC). 1st assistant directing by Andy Coffing (L.A.). Assistant director production assisting by Brian Steffen (L.A.). Lead choreography by John Byrne (NYC). Choreography by Joel Trevino (NYC, L.A.) and Courtney Poe (L.A.).. Art department coordinating by Tim Gehling. Production assisting by Evan Mancini, Hans Pinero, and Victoria Sobel (NYC). Production assisting by Adelaide Gault and Joey Koenig (L.A.). Lighting and direction by John Schoenfeld (NYC, L.A.). Photo assisting by Kyle Thompson, Nick Grennon, and Steve Burton (NYC). Photo assisting by Adam Torgerson, Jenelle Fong, and Paul Gilmore (L.A.). Retouching by Glen Vergara.
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On the Cover:
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Lettering by Zuzanna Rogatty
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Panel One: James Austin Johnson: Hair and makeup by Laila Hayani; Styling by Jill Bream; Wardrobe by Bonobos (jacket and pants) and Drake’s (tie). Sarah Silverman: Hair by Mallory Pace; Makeup by Robert Sesnek. Marcello Hernández: Hair and makeup by Laila Hayani; Styling by Jill Bream; Wardrobe by Willy Chavarria (shirt). Sarah Sherman: Hair by Gina Ferrucci; Makeup by Mollie Gloss; Styling by Ashley Dudek; Wardrobe by Celia B. (dress), Marc Jacobs (shoes), Dinosaur Designs (rings), and Vintage (tights). Michael Che: Makeup by Maria Scali; Styling by Keith Pearson; Wardrobe by Prada (jacket). Nora Dunn: Wardrobe by Zankov (sweater). Kate McKinnon: Hair by Timothy Aylward; Makeup by Cassandra Garcia; Styling by Rebecca Grice; Wardrobe by Banana Republic (blazer) and Rag & Bone (shirt). Jane Curtin: Wardrobe by Sans Faff (jacket), Alejandra Alonso Rojas (shirt), and Christian Louboutin (shoes). Molly Shannon: Hair by Rebekah Forecast; Makeup by Genevieve Herr; Styling by Cassidy Noonan; Wardrobe by Prabal Gurung (dress) and Jennifer Zeuner (earrings). Dana Carvey: Wardrobe by Levi’s (jacket). Ellen Cleghorne: Wardrobe by Frankie Shop (jacket and pants) and Tiffany & Co. (earrings and necklace).
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Panel two: Jay Pharoah: Grooming by Rebecca DeHerrera; Barbering by Brett Mayo; Wardrobe by The El-der Statesman (sweater). Nasim Pedrad: Hair by Bridget Brager; Makeup by Mai Quynh; Ward-robe by Alejandra Alonso Rojas (dress). Laraine Newman: Makeup and styling: Molly Green-wald. Andy Samberg: Grooming by Kim Verbeck. Chris Parnell: Levi’s (jacket). Vanessa Bayer: Hair by Ericka Verrett; Makeup by Kindra Mann; Wardrobe by Christian Cowan (dress) and Jim-my Choo (shoes). Billy Crystal: Makeup by Peter Montagna. Maya Rudolph: Hair by John D.; Makeup by Molly Stern; Manicure by Ashlie Johnson; Styling by Rebecca Grice. Cheri Oteri: Hair and makeup by Jamice Quick; Wardrobe by Tiffany & Co. (earrings). Leslie Jones: Hair by Shaela Player; Makeup by Lola Okanlawon; Styling by Tanja Caldwell. Don Novello: Wardrobe by Y-3 (jacket).
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Panel three: Mike Myers: Grooming by Min Min Ma. Tracy Morgan: Hair by Panda; Makeup by Asia Geiger. Pete Davidson: Grooming by Kumi Craig; Styling by Britt Theodora; Wardrobe by The Row (shirt) and Tommy Hilfiger (blazer). Tim Meadows: Wardrobe by Carhartt (jacket). Joe Piscopo: Wardrobe by Michael Duru Clothiers. Rachel Dratch: Hair by David Cruz; Makeup by Sacha Har-ford; Wardrobe by Carolina Herrera (dress), Manolo Blahnik (shoes), and Tiffany & Co. (ear-rings). Cecily Strong: Hair by Timothy Aylward; Makeup by Cass Garcia; Wardrobe by Chiara Boni (dress), Larroude (shoes), AND Tiffany & Co. (earrings and rings). Fred Armisen: Wardrobe by Armani (jacket) and Ralph Lauren (shirt).
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Panel four: Jimmy Fallon: Hair by Jennifer Johnson; Makeup by Cyndie Lou Boehm; Styling by Chloe Hartstein; Wardrobe by Acne (cardigan), Lanvin (polo), Prada (trousers), Saint Laurent (sneak-ers), and Happy Socks (socks). Bowen Yang: Grooming by Evy Drew; Wardrobe by Kenzo (pants and tank top) and Versace (shirt). Seth Meyers: Grooming by Laila Hayani; Styling by Eric Jus-tian; Wardrobe by Plain Goods (shoes and sweater), Auralee (pants), and Orslow (shirt). Tina Fey: Hair by Matthew Monzon; Makeup by Gita Bass. Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Hair by Chris Naselli; Makeup by Brigitte Reiss-Andersen; Wardrobe by Sergio Hudson (jacket) and Thom Browne (pants and shirt). Colin Jost: Hair by Danny DiMauro; Makeup by Rashida Bolden; Styling by Tal Shalom; Wardrobe by Amiri (jacket), Billy Reid (shirt), and Givenchy (pants). Candice Bergen: Hair by Nathaniel Hawkins; Makeup by Joanna Lynn; Wardrobe by Simon Miller (jacket). Will Forte: Wardrobe by Brooks Brothers (brown shirt), James Perse (shirt). and Zegna (shoes). Ke-nan Thompson: Grooming by Patricia Ambroise; Styling by Michael Barnett; Wardrobe by BO-GARD by MikeB (jacket and trouser), Polo by Ralph Lauren (shirt), Canali (socks), and Lanvin (sneakers). Steve Martin: Canali (jacket).
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Panel five: Kristen Wiig: Hair by Karen Bartek; Makeup by Tricia Sawyer; Wardrobe by Versace (dress) and Jimmy Choo (shoes). Bill Hader: Grooming by Catherine Furniss. Casey Wilson: Hair by Clariss Rubenstein; Makeup by Kathleen Karridene; Wardrobe by Lapointe (top and pants) and Flor de Maria (shoes). Amy Poehler: Hair by Kylee Heath; Makeup by Loren Canby; Styling by Karla Welch. Martin Short: Wardrobe by Louis Vuitton (shirt) and Tie Bar (tie). David Spade: Grooming by Sylvia Viau-Kistler. John Mulaney: Hair by Bok-Hee Meixner; Styling by Michael Fisher. Julia Sweeney: Wardrobe by Christian Siriano (blazer and pants) and Jimmy Choo (shoes). Aidy Bryant: Hair by Barb Thompson; Makeup by Molly Greenwald; Styling by Rebecca Grice; Wardrobe by Marc Jacobs (shoes). Sasheer Zamata: Hair and makeup by Brittany Scott; Wardrobe by Anna Sui (dress) and Flor de Maria (shoes).
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Additional grid credits: Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Wardrobe by Thom Browne (jacket). Bowen Yang: Styling by Michael Fisher; Wardrobe by Valentino (pants and shoes) and Silk Laundry (shirt). Kristen Wiig: Styling by Karla Welch. Sasheer Zamata: Wardrobe by David Koma (bodysuit). Casey Wilson: Wardrobe by Favorite Daughter (pants and vest) and Retrofete (shirt). Alec Baldwin: Wardrobe by Gucci (coat). Marcello Hernández: wardrobe by Saint Laurent (shirt).
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