Saturday Night Live is turning 40 years old — meaning that it’s older than most of us. The infamous sketch comedy show began in 1975, with comedy legend cast members like John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase.

 

And since the 70s, millions of people have sat down each Saturday night to prepare for the opening sketch, which is always followed by one line: “Live from New York it’s Saturday night!” With a different celebrity host and musical guest each week, there’s no doubt that the audience stays entertained.

 

For those of you who aren’t as familiar with SNL, let’s just reminisce on some of the cast members throughout the years: Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Eddie Murphy, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Mike Myers, Jimmy Fallon — and that’s only naming a few. Not to mention some of the most well known hosts and musical guests, including Justin Timberlake, Bruce Springsteen, Derek Jeter and Drew Barrymore, the show is a constant mash up of individuals either of celebrity status or soon to be making their mark.

 

Last night, SNL hosted their biggest event of all-time. SNL 40, a three and a half-hour tribute to the best of Saturday Night Live, featured former cast members and hosts, performing clips and musical performances that both reflected the show’s rich comedic history as well as laid out fresh material.

 

Despite temperatures dropping below freezing, we stayed in and watched SNL 40 while putting together the paper and uploading content onto KentWired for today. We watched as history was being made. We laughed, we marveled, we may have cried. But mostly we appreciated the tradition and legacy that SNL has left, and is still leaving, each Saturday night. It’s a show that takes risks with both content and characters, and so far, it’s a formula that has warmed the hearts and minds of viewers. Now, if it could only warm the temperatures outside?