Saturday Night Live has been a television icon since first telecast in 1975. Saturday Night Live has with their comedic skits put a spin on news stories, people and social issues. The popularity of SNL has brought many people from mainstream to come and poke fun at themselves. Controversy has been a part of SNL over the years, with some issues and language edited to comply with regulations and other edits because inappropriate suggestiveness or topics.

This program has been the launching for many of today's popular comedians. The first cast of Saturday Night Live included Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Chevy Chase. Other well known stars followed in their footsteps to stardom. Many movies have been produced from SNL characters and skits including, "The Blues Brothers" and "Wayne’s World."

Guest hosts or stars are always a mixture of who is making news or well known in media, news, or life. Desi Arnez, Sarah Palin, Yogi Berra, President Obama, Hilary Clinton, Gerald Ford, Johnny Cash, Andy Warhol, are only a few of the many guests who have been on SNL. Music presented on SNL has showcased many of today's music legends and soon to be legends such as Prince, Aerosmith, Barenaked Ladies and Luciano Pavarotti.

Saturday Night Live has received its share of awards. Over the years, the program has received 23 primetime Emmys and been nominated many times over. The programming excellence has received recognition from American Comedy Awards, TV Land Awards and other organizations.