SNL to Broadcast Live Coast-to-Coast Episodes

Saturday Night Live, or SNL for short, is one of the longest-running TV shows in history. Starting in the 1970s, it’s become the archetype for sketch comedy shows, with notable knockoffs like Madd TV for example. It’s been the birthplace of mega stars like Will Ferrell, Amy Pohler, Eddie Murphy, and Bill Murray to name a few. SNL has had a renaissance in ratings the past few months because of their satire of our new president and the previous election, and it’s about to get a whole lot more attention.

Starting in April, SNL‘s final four episodes of this season will be broadcast live, simultaneously across the country. The hosts for these four episodes are Jimmy Fallon, Chris Pine, Melissa McCarthy, and Dwayne Johnson. This announcement is on the heels of another big SNL movement, that their segment Weekend Update will get its own primetime spin-off.

Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump and Kate McKinnon as Hilary Clinton

Ever since the most recent election, SNL has been climbing higher and higher in the ratings due to making fun of the presidential candidates, and now President Trump himself, much to his chagrin. Alec Baldwin has been joining in almost weekly doing his President Trump impression, and then Melissa McCarthy joined in and lampooned press secretary Sean Spicer.

NBC chairman Robert Greenblatt said:

“SNL – enjoying its most popular season in two decades – is part of the national conversation, and we thought it would be a great idea to broadcast to the west and mountain time zones live at the same time it’s being seen on the east and central time zones. That way, everyone is in on the joke at the same time. Kudos to Lorne Michaels, the producers and cast for making SNL one of the most relevant and anticipated shows in the zeitgeist.”

Since their live shows are only a few weeks away, it’s safe to say they’ll be lampooning even more of the current political climate. There’s even talk of Rosie O’Donnell playing Steve Bannon.