NBC's archetypal comedy program "Saturday Night Live" should have died in 1985, a decade after a volcanic debut that launched stars such as John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase and Gilda Radner. And yet a half-century later, producer Lorne Michaels and his merry maniacs are still at it. What gives?

A treat for everyone who saw those early years, “Saturday Night” explains why some weeks are good and others aren’t.

Comedy slowly became rock ‘n’ roll,” says Joe Piscopo, a Saturday Night Live cast member between 1980 and 1984, in the opening episode of SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night. The Peacock docuseries, which is exec produced by Morgan Neville,

Tom Hanks said that his first time hosting “SNL” in Season 11, he noticed, “The division between what worked and what didn’t work – that was painfully obvious.”

Four-part docuseries starts as a typical self-congratulatory tribute. Then it drills down to specific highs and lows, and delivers the goods

Peacock's terrific 50th anniversary retrospective focuses on the NBC show's auditions, writing process and ridiculous "More Cowbell" sketch.

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Conan O’Brien on March 23, 2025, in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The Prize, which is named to honor one of the world’s greatest humorists,

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was first given to comedian Richard Pryor in 1998. Over the years, it’s been handed out to everyone from Carl Reiner and Neil Simon to Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Billy Crystal, Tina Fey, and Dave Chapelle. O’Brien made appearances in the past to honor Lorne Michaels, Will Ferrell, and Adam Sandler.

Instead of being a comprehensive history, the docuseries examines cast member’s auditions, the writers’ room, the “More Cowbell” sketch, and the weird 11th season.

There are books — the best of which is still “ Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live ” — and countless movies, including a 2010 documentary and a 2024 feature, both titled “Saturday Night,” and a slew of comedies derived from popular “SNL” sketches, notably “The Blues Brothers” and “ Wayne’s World .”

The sketch comedy show is celebrating 50 seasons with two documentaries and an upcoming prime-time special that reflect on its standing as an American institution.

Conan O'Brien's comedy resume can be stacked up against just about anyone in the entertainment industry. Now, the late-night TV legend is finally getting a long