Comedy buffs are feeling unusually happy and celebratory this month, because their favorite laughfest, “Saturday Night Live,” has just marked its 40 years with a three-hour anniversary special.
The memorable special included “reunion” performances by many of the show’s stellar graduates, who span generations of stellar talents: Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Dana Carvey, Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Myers, Amy Poehler and Kristen Wiig—to name just a few!
In fact, it can be said that “SNL” is the comedy field’s version of “American Idol,” discovering and showcasing fresh batches of young comedians who have gone on to star in films and host their own TV talk shows.
Aside from its most impressive list of graduates, what makes “SNL” amazing is the fact that its level of comedic achievement hasn’t gone down after all of its years of existence.
Incredible feat
That’s an incredible feat in an industry where hits tend to take their success for granted, and just coast along profitably from season to season. “Blame” it on the show’s untiring “mission” to shoot down all puffed-up public personalities and newsmakers, and cut them down to size with its rapler wit. Since boastful buffoons are born all the time, the show hasn’t lacked for targets—that’s for sure!
Elsewhere on the comedy front, another wildly popular satirical program, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” has opted to fold up its tent, after 17 years of telecasting.
Still a big hit
Like Jerry Seinfeld before him, Stewart has ended his reign while his show is still a big hit, because he feels that he’s done and said everything he wants to!
The show’s many fans are grieving, of course, but they’re also looking forward to Stewart’s next moves. Will he resurface as a talk-show host? An actor? A newscaster (move over, Brian Williams)? —What?