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Parents' Guide to

Saturday Night Live

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Legendary late-night show funny for teens and up.

TV NBC Variety Show 1975
Saturday Night Live Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 25 parent reviews

ROBERT G.
ROBERT G. Parent of 16-year-old
October 29, 2023
age 16+

Going downhill FAST!

First show was a winner. After that, the guests & the content of the 2nd & 3rd shows of this season should be flushed!! What the heck? What did they do with the writers from the first show? GET some real standards!
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1233412312312315dsfddf Adult
October 11, 2022
age 16+
See all 25 parent reviews

What's the Story?

For over 30 years, NBC's SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE has been broadcasting comedy sketches and musical performances from Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center. Some of today's veteran comedians started on the show -- Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase -- and it's where a number of contemporary comedy movie stars also got their first big break, including Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, and Will Ferrell. Sketches often parody timely events, politics, and celebrities, providing an astute form of social commentary.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (25 ):
Kids say (78 ):

Over the years, the quality of the show has varied, both from season to season and from episode to episode. But for the most part, Saturday Night Live has been a place to see solid, live comedy with a broad, mature appeal. Other similar shows may have topped it comedically (In Living Color, The Kids in the Hall), but none have endured the test of time to become a living institution like SNL

In the late '90s and 2000s, Tina Fey's smart, biting delivery as the co-host of the long-standing news parody segment "Weekend Update" became a highlight of the show. Her role as both performer and head writer for SNL marked a shift from the 1990s, when series creator Lorne Michaels was under fire for a lack of a female voice on the show. Musical guests, who usually play two live songs during the course of the show, are also top-rate and diverse, ranging from Paul Simon to Britney Spears.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Saturday Night Live's characters -- especially those based on stereotypes -- to ensure that teens understand the layers of comedy. What makes something funny?

  • What is the purpose of satire in our culture? How do you feel when someone you admire is being made fun of -- like a politician or celebrity? What would our culture be like if we weren't allowed to mock authority figures and role models?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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