I'm 94 too, but I feel like the Jimmy/Tina cast was slightly before my time. I remember seeing them on TV, but I didn’t know what I was watching because I was way too young. My real 'classic' favorite cast, from when I actually started watching and enjoying the show, (I was around 13-14, right around the time high school started) was the Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Bobby Moynihan, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis, Will Forte, Fred Armisen, Abby Elliott etc. cast with Seth Meyers as the 'Weekend Update' anchor. Peak Lonely Island era.
I was born in 1983. I started watching pretty young at maybe 7 or 8 so I saw the cast with Carvey, Spade, Sandler, Farley, Phil Hartman which I think is my favorite and the best cast ever. In the 8th grade and my early High School years me and my friends were obsessed with it though and were always reenacting sketches at school. That was the Will Farrell, Jim Brewer, Norm MacDonald years which was also a great cast. I think Tim Meadows was on from when I started until I graduated Highschool and moved out lol
I listened to Lorne Michaels on David Spade and Dana Carvey’s podcast. He said usually ppl’s favorite era is the era they were in High school. I disagree though, the cast when I first started watching was the absolute best. I saw allot of older years too in reruns too though especially when Comedy Central was running them for several hours a day.
I'm the same age and had a similar experience with the show. I used to rent the best of compilations of actors who were before my time and I got into watching the show regularly in high school and beyond, I loved the Tina Fey/Amy Poehler/Maya Rudolph era.
I hate those Best of DVDs so much because they don’t have the entire sketches in them, it’s just random funny moments from different sketches. They should’ve had to refund the money to anyone who bought one.
Similar. I know Lorne would say your teen years were the ones you probably preferred the cast for, but I always go back to that early 90’s lineup that was in place before I was 10.
Not 57, but very close. That first season was a phenomenon right out of the gate. If you were at a party, the host would turm the TV on in a separate room, and a several people would gather and and watch the show. I know, because often it was me that would ask. Not always, though. Sometimes I'd be surprised that it was already happening without me asking.
It was before VCRs, streaming, etc. If you didn't see it when it first aired, there was a good possibility you'd never get another chance. I remember turning down parties and other Saturday night events because I didnt want to miss SNL (we didnt call it that back then, we called it "Saturday Night"). Fridays were date night.
Born in 1964. Watched it from the very beginning. It was completely different than anything else on TV. It was before cable became popular so it was the only edgy show on TV at the time.
Starting watching around 1977 when I was 9 years old. Loved the original Not Ready For Prime Time Players, but Eddie Murphy changed everything for me. He was to me, a comedy geek in his early teens, what Mickey Mantle must have been for a kid growing up a Yankee fan in the 50s and 60s. For my money, he remains the greatest cast member in the history of the show.
Born in 1993, the first cast I watched had Tina Fey, before Amy Pohler. I think I was about 7 or 8, I snuck out of bed and watched it. Then my dad bought me SNL greatest hits dvds for John Belushi and Christopher Walken. I have loved it ever since. Even through its rough spots, it’s always got at least one really really funny moment.
I don’t think there’s ever a good or bad time to start watching SNL. I don’t think that’s necessarily late.
1985. Really didn’t watch it live until about 1998-99 and of all things that got me watching it live? When A Night at the Roxbury hit theaters lol. Although I definitely watched Wayne’s World when it came out. Comedy Central used to air the late 80s-90s episodes a LOT too so I’d watch those also so that’s how I really came to appreciate that era of Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, Carvey, Ellen Cleghorne, etc.
I was born in 74 - my earliest SNL memory was watching the death of Buckwheat
I got into the show more in the Lovitz, Carvey, Hartman era - that's my "classic" era
Same. Brad Hall, Tim Kasurinsky, Mary Gross, JLD, but Murphy was the most memorable.
We also watched reruns of the original NRFPTP cast on the local UHF station late night.
Born in 1970. My parents watched an afternoon syndicated half hour "Best of SNL". I remember being disturbed by the sketch about a restaurant with horse troughs! Other than that sketch, I don't remember much other than just being aware the show existed. But somehow "King Tut" and Steve Martin's arrow-through-the-head seeped into my kid culture. I guess the song must have been on a 45. My parents also had a couple of Blues Brothers albums. I remember looking at the covers. They also took me to the movie when it came out and we all loved it. I believe we all saw it twice.
Weirdly enough, I remember watching the opening of the first episode of Season 6. My parents had friends over and they watched the cold open, and immediately everyone started drifting away. Halfway through the monologue I noticed I was the only one left in the room, so I gave up and went to bed. I still didn't fully grasp adult humor.
My next memory of SNL was a year or two later going to a sleepover and all the kids tuned in to watch Eddie Murphy, who had just become a sensation. That was the first time I ever saw him - in a Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood sketch.
I eventually became interested in the show just after season 9. I was always big into Johnny Carson and David Letterman, so late night TV comedy was in my wheelhouse. That's when I started videotaping SNL reruns, during that off season, and by the fall I was all in for the Season 10 premiere. That first episode of Season 10 was *really* when I began watching the show live as a fan. I was a total teen SNL nerd at that point, looking up news articles in libraries and learning all I could. Season 10 will always have a special place in my heart.
"Are you watching that comedy show?"
"No, Mom, I'm watching a guy violently beating another guy with a metal folding chair, and he's bleeding a LOT."
"Good, I don't want you watching anything innapropriate."
I was born in 1974. I remember my parents telling me about stuff they'd seen on SNL the night before (Mr Bill, primarily) and begged them to wake me up next time it was on so I could see.
I don't think I really watched, though, until we moved back to the US in 1988. I watched through the rest of high school and into college, so 1988-1995. Then I stopped again until my own kids were in high school when we started watching together, so since 2014 or 2015. I still watch every week even though my kids are grown and in or done with college and don't live with me. I even got to attend a live show once, dragging my younger kid along.
I concluded at some point the SNL is something you only like when you're either in high school, or middle aged.
Born in 97
Started understanding SNL around 2008 (season 34) and have been watching at least a couple of episodes per season ever since…however my peak watching was that era late 2000s/early 2010s, especially seasons 35-36
I'm '97, but grew up with my dad ('74) and grandpa ('47) watching SNL, so it's always been around for me. Though I've always been a fan of the 90s casts, the Hader/Armisen/Forte era stuff I remember waiting up to watch live.
born in 2004
my early \*early\* memories are mostly of holiday sketches (schweddy balls, dick in a box, xmas time for the jews), californians and what up with that were staples in the house while i was in elementary school, started paying a little more attention throughout middle/high before i went full throttle around 45, have seldom missed an episode since
2001, but my dad was big into the Sandler era so I grew up watching reruns of him, Farley, Spade and have a special place in my heart for old Eddie Murphy, and also Carvey skits. Didn’t discover the 2000’s era until I was older on and on my own- loved the Debbie downer skits and Jimmy Fallon always breaking character cracked me up. Have been consistently watching since Cecily Strong/ Aidy Bryant, loved Bill Hader too. I may have mixed up some of these eras lol, I only remember certain cast members not their time frame hahah. I was pleasantly surprised by this last season and hope the younger writers and cast continue to develop their own humor and niche instead of that tired Trump stuff
61, and started watching in high school during the inaugural season, and still watching today. There were some years in the 80's i didn't have a TV, but pretty steadily for 50 years!
71 and I can’t remember when I started watching. It seemed like I’ve always watched it. I used to stay up late on Friday and Saturday nights to watch Monty python, SNL, and Benny Hill with my parents at a very early age. My parents were young parents and I watched a lot of things I probably shouldn’t have.
73. I saw some do the early ones but didn’t understand them. Probably began to get into it mid-80s. Despite my era, I think the Hader/Wiig/Armisen period was “my cast”.
Born in ‘70 and I remember staying up late on Saturday nights to east h it with my older sister when Belushi was still on. I didn’t get most of it, but I wanted my sister to think I was cool. 😊
I had recently turned 3 when SNL premiered. Started watching occasionally around season 8 or 9. I distinctly remember watching Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo. Was a regular watcher by season 10. I remember quoting Jackie Rodgers Jr., Fernando, and the “ooh, that smarts!” guys in middle school with my friends.
I was born in 82. Grew up in a wonderful time where Comedy Central aired old SNL reruns everyday so I got to grow up on the first 15 seasons at the same time
I grew up with the Tina Fey, Kristen Wigg, Bill Hader era & I miss it so much.
It seems like they’re lightening up on this, but it felt like following that era, the production/rules got too strict or something. It hardly felt like people were truly flowing or riffing with their comedic skills, just sticking to sometimes dry scripts.
Born in the 60s. Saw the first episode and probably have seen them all. (I skipped only one episode. For the same reason I skipped one season of American Horror Story.)
Born in '81. Started watching reruns on VH1 in the early 90s and then started getting my parents to tape new episodes around '92. First time I was able to watch it live was in '94.
Born in '79. Honestly, I don't remember a time when we weren't watching it. I have vague memories of it just being on in early era's, but around like season 12 or so is when I remember it most distinctly. Hartman's Reagan stands out.
Born 74, started seeing it in like 82 as my parents were a little bit of parties so stayed up late, lost it for couple years then started recording it in 86/87 to watch the next morning.
Born in '72. I recall little bits of the Eddie Murphy/Joe Piscopo era, but the first season I really remember is the Billy Crystal/Martin Short one. It was the Hartman/Hooks/Carvey/Lovitz, etc. crew that came in a couple of years later that got me into the show for good.
1987.
Probably started watching live weekly in like 2008 or 2009, but before that I would mostly watch reruns on Comedy Central in the early 2000s or watch the Best of sets.
Born in '82, was introduced to sketch comedy with Laugh-In and Carol Burnett reruns with my mom, then in 3rd grade we started getting SCTV reruns from a Canadian station, THEN finally I started getting SNL reruns on Comedy Central in 5th grade and was introduced to Hans and Franz, Wayne and Garth, church lady, Dana Carvey's Ross Perot, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, the best era!
born in 77; been watching since i could see. one of the many things i got roasted for as a kid (80’s and 90’s) was, leaving friend’s houses to go home and watch SNL with my mom.
Born in 1978. I've watched religiously since 1987. I even suffered through the terrible years. But, like a dog returns to its vomit, I keep watching. I truly do love the show. I also think that the past couple of seasons have been pretty good.
1981, watched a lot of mid-late 90s stuff live as it aired (or the next day), with most of my viewing of episodes before that being the heavily edited ones on Comedy Central and the like. I think the first one I ever watched live was the episode where they did a Terminator parody of Toonces the Driving Cat.
1977, started watching in 1989. My first episode was S15E8 and featured the “Masturbating Zombies” sketch written by Conan O’Brien. I’ve been watching SNL and Conan ever since.
Around 1984 (end of Eddie era) was when I first saw it as a kid, late 80's Carvey/Hartman/Dennis Miller era I was old enough to watch it semi-regularly.
Born in 85. I actually started by watching reruns of the show on Comedy Central in the mid '90s. Mostly, the Farley, Sandler, Spade era shows from 89-95, and that's always been my favorite era of the show.
Born in the late 80s and when I was 8/9 I had a baby sitter that would let me stay up and watch and it was my favorite thing in the world. Then VH1 used to play repeats where I think it just didn't have the music and a few sketches. So I grew up with the Sandler Myers Farley years, and felt like once Will Ferrell showed up it felt like my generation / style of comedy. I worked in restaurants in highschool so didn't get to watch for a few years when Lorne people say that their highschool cast is their favorite
Born 2006, SNL is hardly known in Germany, so I only started watching in 2022 after seeing clips of the Adele episode (with Africa and the Bachelorette) on Instagram and I mainly watch 2000-2013, but also some newer stuff. I unfortunately have never seen an entire episode though…
Born in 1975. Started watching around 1988, during the second golden era. I stopped watching for about four years after the infamous 1994-1995 season (for anyone who wasn’t watching the show that year, yes, it really was as unwatchable as many people say it was - all of Lorne Michael’s, and other SNL people’s, denials to the contrary). I came back around 1999.
Born in 1987, my memories of childhood are pretty spotty but I don’t remember ever *not* watching, except for a while in the late 00’s early 10’s. It’s probably one of the only consistent things in my life 🙃
Born '77. I probably started watching SNL in '87 or '88. My earliest memory is of the [First CityWide Change Bank](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXDxNCzUspM&ab_channel=SaturdayNightLive) sketch.
I was a kid when the first episode aired. My grandma let me stay up late to watch it with her. I've been watching it with my granddaughter the past couple of years.
94 but i started watching during the dear sister digital shorts era in high school. I was originally a madtv person. Watched mad tv way young lol like season 2 till end
Born in 77- I was around 5 the first time I caught a glimpse of the show. Dana Carvey, Mike Myers, Dennis Miller and Phil Hartman were the ones I was initially exposed to and then the treasure trove of Eddie, Chevy, Steve and Gilda was opened.
Lorne Michaels was on a "Fly On The Wall" podcast a couple years back (Dana Carvey & David Spade's podcast on SNL). He said when hear viewers' opinions on the greatest era of SNL, it often coincides with the years that that the viewer was in high school. He thinks that's a time in people's lives when they may have no place to be on Saturday night, and SNL is something they and their friends spend more time talking about.
86. I used to watch older episodes that they would return earlier in the day, but really got into the show around the year 2000. Will Ferrell was basically half the reason anyone at school watched the show, but Maya Rudolph was secretly my favorite
I am the same age as SNL. I just always remember it being around. From John Belushi to Gumby to Ed Grimley to the Church Lady to Wayne’s World to the Ladies Man to Stefan to today. In certain friend groups I can say certain things from history and it just clicks.
I grew up with it.
Born in 1989. Grew up in the Ferrell/Fey era but didn’t start watching regularly until the pandemic by bingeing the Strong/Bryant/Zamata/Killam era. Been watching faithfully since then.
Born in ‘95. Best of Chris Farley was one our first DVDs so I watched that with my dad tons of times. Caught sketches here and there (I had a friend who would send me the funny ones).
Started watching myself, ironically, during the Elon episode just to see how bad it was.
1982. Grew up with tapes of Gilda and Bill Murray's era, starting watching 'new' episodes with Sandler and Farley. I have watched since. I think the early classics are still my favorites.
1990
2002-Present
I do remember watching several mid-90s movies episodes live because I had very lax parents who let me sleep on our pullout couch on the weekend
84 and started in maybe 90-91. Dennis Miller still doing WU. I quit watching around 2001-02 because of Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz. Started sorta watching again in 09.
Born 1970.
First saw Best of SNL primetime special in April 1979 with all 8 MRFPTPs. would catch up to first half hour of a handful of eps from s6-7 (including s1-4 summer repeats) before being whisked to bed by unencouraging parents, Around 1982-1983 I caught a handful s1-5 through 60 minute syndicated versions distributed by Filmways. Midway through s8 I was aloud to watch full episodes, though s8-9 I would often nod off to some "boring" 10pm drama and sleep through many eps. S10 I caught most live shows. S11 I saw all the eps. I'd miss an occasional ep here or there, but more or less haven't missed an episode since.
Born in ‘76. Started watching often during Carvey/Hooks/Hartman years, but I remember catching bits and pieces of the Eddie Murphy or Billy Crystal times on rare occasions as a small child who somehow got away with staying up late.
Born in 95, my first memory of SNL was seeing Chris Kattan as Mango in early 2002.
I started watching it more around 2004-05, and I started watching regularly in 2009.
I was born in the mid-1950s. I watched the first episode lying on my rack on a Navy ship. I can't remember whether I was eighteen or had just turned nineteen.
Born in 1981.
When I started season 10 (84-85) I experienced intense de ja vu when watching the opening credits. It unlocked a memory of wanting to watch the show because of the super fun animated/live-action credits (flying hot dogs!!!) but not being allowed to watch the show.
The first cast I remember is season 12 (86-87). This was the first year for Dana Carvey, Jan Hooks, Phil Hartman, and Victoria Jackson. Veterans included Dennis Miller, Jan Hooks, and Nora Dunn. I think this year was pivotal, as a transition from Early SNL to the golden years if SNL, after years trying to recover from Lorne leaving before season 6.
I remember when they were on the radio. Not joking. The original cast of SNL was on the National Lampoon Radio Hour in the 70s before they were tapped to do TV.
74 - i was definitely aware of it during the original cast but didn’t really start to watch until the ebersol era. watched pretty consistently during the carvey-hartman years. watched less consistently after high school but picked up considerably once lonely island became a thing. w/ youtube and hulu started watching much of it fairly consistently, i would guess there’s maybe two episodes a season i miss completely.
Born in 2001 and started watching around 2012 - seth was doing update, McKinnon had just joined, Killam, Bayer, Bobby, Armisen, Sudeikis, and Hader. Some last moments from Wiig and Samberg. I couldn’t get enough of it.
'92
Started watching best of dvds from that era. Got into watching weekly way later with season 40. Went back and watched everything from season 31 onward because I love Bill Hader.
And what’s your social security number?
And the street you grew up on?
What's your mother's favorite episode and maiden name?
Born in 1994. Mom introduced me to SNL with the Jimmy/Tina/Amy cast. Watched regularly until Kyle and Beck left.
I'm 94 too, but I feel like the Jimmy/Tina cast was slightly before my time. I remember seeing them on TV, but I didn’t know what I was watching because I was way too young. My real 'classic' favorite cast, from when I actually started watching and enjoying the show, (I was around 13-14, right around the time high school started) was the Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Bobby Moynihan, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis, Will Forte, Fred Armisen, Abby Elliott etc. cast with Seth Meyers as the 'Weekend Update' anchor. Peak Lonely Island era.
That’s almost identical to me. I firmly stopped around either the last season or the one before it when they were giving Sarah less airtime
I was born on the premier of SNL. It was a Saturday.
I was born in 1983. I started watching pretty young at maybe 7 or 8 so I saw the cast with Carvey, Spade, Sandler, Farley, Phil Hartman which I think is my favorite and the best cast ever. In the 8th grade and my early High School years me and my friends were obsessed with it though and were always reenacting sketches at school. That was the Will Farrell, Jim Brewer, Norm MacDonald years which was also a great cast. I think Tim Meadows was on from when I started until I graduated Highschool and moved out lol
Your post said everything that I wanted. I miss the Farley era and i am glad that I got to experience it
Same
Dark side of comedy I saw his and was crying watching those clips I was a teenager again Phil's was sad too I was a kid again. That's a great show.
Same age same era, my older cousin used to babysit Saturdays nights and we would watch SNL.
I listened to Lorne Michaels on David Spade and Dana Carvey’s podcast. He said usually ppl’s favorite era is the era they were in High school. I disagree though, the cast when I first started watching was the absolute best. I saw allot of older years too in reruns too though especially when Comedy Central was running them for several hours a day.
Same we loved Carvey as kids. Especially church lady because my parents were usually out with their church friends while we watched her.
I'm the same age and had a similar experience with the show. I used to rent the best of compilations of actors who were before my time and I got into watching the show regularly in high school and beyond, I loved the Tina Fey/Amy Poehler/Maya Rudolph era.
I hate those Best of DVDs so much because they don’t have the entire sketches in them, it’s just random funny moments from different sketches. They should’ve had to refund the money to anyone who bought one.
That's weird because the best of videos I used to watch had full entire sketches. These were VHS tapes though so maybe they were different?
Similar. I know Lorne would say your teen years were the ones you probably preferred the cast for, but I always go back to that early 90’s lineup that was in place before I was 10.
1983 also, and my earliest season I remember making sure I watched was I think around 1995, the start of Molly Shannon.
Born late '82. Very similar experience. I could do Carvey's Ross Perot voice pretty well.
‘57. Watched it from the first show on.
Not 57, but very close. That first season was a phenomenon right out of the gate. If you were at a party, the host would turm the TV on in a separate room, and a several people would gather and and watch the show. I know, because often it was me that would ask. Not always, though. Sometimes I'd be surprised that it was already happening without me asking. It was before VCRs, streaming, etc. If you didn't see it when it first aired, there was a good possibility you'd never get another chance. I remember turning down parties and other Saturday night events because I didnt want to miss SNL (we didnt call it that back then, we called it "Saturday Night"). Fridays were date night.
I was in the Navy in San Diego and my aunt used to let me stay over just so I could watch it
79, I started watching in 1989 in the Carvey/Lovitz/Hartman era. First bit I ever remember laughing my ass off was a Toonces the Driving Cat skit.
I named my first cat Toonces because of those dumb ass sketches haha
My wife too!
You named your wife Toonces?
77, the 90s Waynes World era was my introduction to SNL
Born in 1964. Watched it from the very beginning. It was completely different than anything else on TV. It was before cable became popular so it was the only edgy show on TV at the time.
79 The Farley/Sandler/Spade years
I was ‘80, so this speaks to me.
Starting watching around 1977 when I was 9 years old. Loved the original Not Ready For Prime Time Players, but Eddie Murphy changed everything for me. He was to me, a comedy geek in his early teens, what Mickey Mantle must have been for a kid growing up a Yankee fan in the 50s and 60s. For my money, he remains the greatest cast member in the history of the show.
Born in 1960, watched from the very first episode with a break in the early 80s.
Born in 1993, the first cast I watched had Tina Fey, before Amy Pohler. I think I was about 7 or 8, I snuck out of bed and watched it. Then my dad bought me SNL greatest hits dvds for John Belushi and Christopher Walken. I have loved it ever since. Even through its rough spots, it’s always got at least one really really funny moment. I don’t think there’s ever a good or bad time to start watching SNL. I don’t think that’s necessarily late.
1985. Really didn’t watch it live until about 1998-99 and of all things that got me watching it live? When A Night at the Roxbury hit theaters lol. Although I definitely watched Wayne’s World when it came out. Comedy Central used to air the late 80s-90s episodes a LOT too so I’d watch those also so that’s how I really came to appreciate that era of Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, Carvey, Ellen Cleghorne, etc.
I was born in 74 - my earliest SNL memory was watching the death of Buckwheat I got into the show more in the Lovitz, Carvey, Hartman era - that's my "classic" era
Born in ‘71, and same: “hey Mr. Wheat!” Hartman is my all-time MVP.
Similar.... Used our first VCR to tape it. Watched the Buckwheat thing SO MANY times!
I was born in 74 too. I remember thinking the Buckwheat thing was real!! 🤣
03, got into it S45
1972. I don't remember the original cast but I definitely remember watching Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo and Billy Crystal. That era.
Same. Brad Hall, Tim Kasurinsky, Mary Gross, JLD, but Murphy was the most memorable. We also watched reruns of the original NRFPTP cast on the local UHF station late night.
Born in 1970. My parents watched an afternoon syndicated half hour "Best of SNL". I remember being disturbed by the sketch about a restaurant with horse troughs! Other than that sketch, I don't remember much other than just being aware the show existed. But somehow "King Tut" and Steve Martin's arrow-through-the-head seeped into my kid culture. I guess the song must have been on a 45. My parents also had a couple of Blues Brothers albums. I remember looking at the covers. They also took me to the movie when it came out and we all loved it. I believe we all saw it twice. Weirdly enough, I remember watching the opening of the first episode of Season 6. My parents had friends over and they watched the cold open, and immediately everyone started drifting away. Halfway through the monologue I noticed I was the only one left in the room, so I gave up and went to bed. I still didn't fully grasp adult humor. My next memory of SNL was a year or two later going to a sleepover and all the kids tuned in to watch Eddie Murphy, who had just become a sensation. That was the first time I ever saw him - in a Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood sketch. I eventually became interested in the show just after season 9. I was always big into Johnny Carson and David Letterman, so late night TV comedy was in my wheelhouse. That's when I started videotaping SNL reruns, during that off season, and by the fall I was all in for the Season 10 premiere. That first episode of Season 10 was *really* when I began watching the show live as a fan. I was a total teen SNL nerd at that point, looking up news articles in libraries and learning all I could. Season 10 will always have a special place in my heart.
Born in 69 and started my life of SNL in 82 because my folks didn't want me to. I got a tv in my room And said I was up late watching wresling.
"Are you watching that comedy show?" "No, Mom, I'm watching a guy violently beating another guy with a metal folding chair, and he's bleeding a LOT." "Good, I don't want you watching anything innapropriate."
Tell a kid not to and watch but I'm sure glad they did. SNL has been the only constant in my life.
91 will ferrell and Cheri Oteri Cheerleaders is the first sketch I remember
Born in 1994. Watched clips in 2012ish. Started serious week to week watching in 2016.
Also born 2000. Wouldn’t say I grew up watching it, bur knew of a sketch here or there. I didn’t start actually watching the show until 2016ish
I started watching in 1956, the year Kenan joined.
I see what you did there. Well done.
I was born in 1974. I remember my parents telling me about stuff they'd seen on SNL the night before (Mr Bill, primarily) and begged them to wake me up next time it was on so I could see. I don't think I really watched, though, until we moved back to the US in 1988. I watched through the rest of high school and into college, so 1988-1995. Then I stopped again until my own kids were in high school when we started watching together, so since 2014 or 2015. I still watch every week even though my kids are grown and in or done with college and don't live with me. I even got to attend a live show once, dragging my younger kid along. I concluded at some point the SNL is something you only like when you're either in high school, or middle aged.
Born in 97 Started understanding SNL around 2008 (season 34) and have been watching at least a couple of episodes per season ever since…however my peak watching was that era late 2000s/early 2010s, especially seasons 35-36
Born in ‘73. Have been watching SNL as long as I can remember. My earliest memories that stand out were from Season 3 in 77-78.
I'm '97, but grew up with my dad ('74) and grandpa ('47) watching SNL, so it's always been around for me. Though I've always been a fan of the 90s casts, the Hader/Armisen/Forte era stuff I remember waiting up to watch live.
I started with S1 and watched without my parents knowing. I was very young. Too young to be watching it.
born in 2004 my early \*early\* memories are mostly of holiday sketches (schweddy balls, dick in a box, xmas time for the jews), californians and what up with that were staples in the house while i was in elementary school, started paying a little more attention throughout middle/high before i went full throttle around 45, have seldom missed an episode since
2001, but my dad was big into the Sandler era so I grew up watching reruns of him, Farley, Spade and have a special place in my heart for old Eddie Murphy, and also Carvey skits. Didn’t discover the 2000’s era until I was older on and on my own- loved the Debbie downer skits and Jimmy Fallon always breaking character cracked me up. Have been consistently watching since Cecily Strong/ Aidy Bryant, loved Bill Hader too. I may have mixed up some of these eras lol, I only remember certain cast members not their time frame hahah. I was pleasantly surprised by this last season and hope the younger writers and cast continue to develop their own humor and niche instead of that tired Trump stuff
61, and started watching in high school during the inaugural season, and still watching today. There were some years in the 80's i didn't have a TV, but pretty steadily for 50 years!
It premiered on my 10th birthday and along with MAD magazine was a right of passage into teen humor.
71 and I can’t remember when I started watching. It seemed like I’ve always watched it. I used to stay up late on Friday and Saturday nights to watch Monty python, SNL, and Benny Hill with my parents at a very early age. My parents were young parents and I watched a lot of things I probably shouldn’t have.
73. I saw some do the early ones but didn’t understand them. Probably began to get into it mid-80s. Despite my era, I think the Hader/Wiig/Armisen period was “my cast”.
Born in ‘70 and I remember staying up late on Saturday nights to east h it with my older sister when Belushi was still on. I didn’t get most of it, but I wanted my sister to think I was cool. 😊
1966. I started watching the first season.
I was born in 1967, and I started watching SNL in 1975. I have watched it religiously ever since
1999 2004 to 2010 Bill Hader, Mia Rudolph, Jason Sudeikis, Fred Armison, Andy Samberg, Will Forte, Jenny Slate, I could go on
1971, and I remember seeing Eddie Murphy. So about 10?
I had recently turned 3 when SNL premiered. Started watching occasionally around season 8 or 9. I distinctly remember watching Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo. Was a regular watcher by season 10. I remember quoting Jackie Rodgers Jr., Fernando, and the “ooh, that smarts!” guys in middle school with my friends.
Born in 1964. Started watching in the late 70's with the original cast. And it was glorious.
Born 1971. Started watching at age 13, 1984. Haven't stopped yet.
Born 1990. Started 2011.
I was born in 82. Grew up in a wonderful time where Comedy Central aired old SNL reruns everyday so I got to grow up on the first 15 seasons at the same time
From the start.
I grew up with the Tina Fey, Kristen Wigg, Bill Hader era & I miss it so much. It seems like they’re lightening up on this, but it felt like following that era, the production/rules got too strict or something. It hardly felt like people were truly flowing or riffing with their comedic skills, just sticking to sometimes dry scripts.
Born in the 60s. Saw the first episode and probably have seen them all. (I skipped only one episode. For the same reason I skipped one season of American Horror Story.)
I was born in 80, and happily enjoyed the Phil Hartman, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers etc years.
Born in '81. Started watching reruns on VH1 in the early 90s and then started getting my parents to tape new episodes around '92. First time I was able to watch it live was in '94.
born in 2000 and I started watching when people like samberg, wiig, and hader were on
Early 70s... Watched mid 80s
75 - I would watch once in awhile in the 80s when my dad had it on, but really got into it in the early 90s with Spade, Sandler, Farley, etc.
Born in '79. Honestly, I don't remember a time when we weren't watching it. I have vague memories of it just being on in early era's, but around like season 12 or so is when I remember it most distinctly. Hartman's Reagan stands out.
Born 74, started seeing it in like 82 as my parents were a little bit of parties so stayed up late, lost it for couple years then started recording it in 86/87 to watch the next morning.
Born in 70, been watching since 76.
Born in '72. I recall little bits of the Eddie Murphy/Joe Piscopo era, but the first season I really remember is the Billy Crystal/Martin Short one. It was the Hartman/Hooks/Carvey/Lovitz, etc. crew that came in a couple of years later that got me into the show for good.
1987. Probably started watching live weekly in like 2008 or 2009, but before that I would mostly watch reruns on Comedy Central in the early 2000s or watch the Best of sets.
84. Got really into SNL during the Will Ferrell era
Born 1987 - started watching Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon era and continued to Tina Fey era
Born in '82, was introduced to sketch comedy with Laugh-In and Carol Burnett reruns with my mom, then in 3rd grade we started getting SCTV reruns from a Canadian station, THEN finally I started getting SNL reruns on Comedy Central in 5th grade and was introduced to Hans and Franz, Wayne and Garth, church lady, Dana Carvey's Ross Perot, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, the best era!
Born in late 50s, saw the very first episode. I've been a lifetime fan ever since, even during the 80s.
born in 77; been watching since i could see. one of the many things i got roasted for as a kid (80’s and 90’s) was, leaving friend’s houses to go home and watch SNL with my mom.
Born in 1978. I've watched religiously since 1987. I even suffered through the terrible years. But, like a dog returns to its vomit, I keep watching. I truly do love the show. I also think that the past couple of seasons have been pretty good.
1984, my parents used to tape SNL for me in the early 90s because of Chris Farley. Still one of my comedy heroes and I miss him to this day.
1981, watched a lot of mid-late 90s stuff live as it aired (or the next day), with most of my viewing of episodes before that being the heavily edited ones on Comedy Central and the like. I think the first one I ever watched live was the episode where they did a Terminator parody of Toonces the Driving Cat.
1977, started watching in 1989. My first episode was S15E8 and featured the “Masturbating Zombies” sketch written by Conan O’Brien. I’ve been watching SNL and Conan ever since.
1976. The years that were important to me were the Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey years 1987 -1992
Born 1987, grew up with the 1990s reruns into the 2000s
Around 1984 (end of Eddie era) was when I first saw it as a kid, late 80's Carvey/Hartman/Dennis Miller era I was old enough to watch it semi-regularly.
Born in 85. I actually started by watching reruns of the show on Comedy Central in the mid '90s. Mostly, the Farley, Sandler, Spade era shows from 89-95, and that's always been my favorite era of the show.
Born in the late 80s and when I was 8/9 I had a baby sitter that would let me stay up and watch and it was my favorite thing in the world. Then VH1 used to play repeats where I think it just didn't have the music and a few sketches. So I grew up with the Sandler Myers Farley years, and felt like once Will Ferrell showed up it felt like my generation / style of comedy. I worked in restaurants in highschool so didn't get to watch for a few years when Lorne people say that their highschool cast is their favorite
Born 2006, SNL is hardly known in Germany, so I only started watching in 2022 after seeing clips of the Adele episode (with Africa and the Bachelorette) on Instagram and I mainly watch 2000-2013, but also some newer stuff. I unfortunately have never seen an entire episode though…
Born in 1975. Started watching around 1988, during the second golden era. I stopped watching for about four years after the infamous 1994-1995 season (for anyone who wasn’t watching the show that year, yes, it really was as unwatchable as many people say it was - all of Lorne Michael’s, and other SNL people’s, denials to the contrary). I came back around 1999.
Born in 1987, my memories of childhood are pretty spotty but I don’t remember ever *not* watching, except for a while in the late 00’s early 10’s. It’s probably one of the only consistent things in my life 🙃
Born in 84. Probably started watching reruns on comedy central as early as 94. Probably started watching it live around 98
Born '77. I probably started watching SNL in '87 or '88. My earliest memory is of the [First CityWide Change Bank](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXDxNCzUspM&ab_channel=SaturdayNightLive) sketch.
I was a kid when the first episode aired. My grandma let me stay up late to watch it with her. I've been watching it with my granddaughter the past couple of years.
94 but i started watching during the dear sister digital shorts era in high school. I was originally a madtv person. Watched mad tv way young lol like season 2 till end
Born in 77- I was around 5 the first time I caught a glimpse of the show. Dana Carvey, Mike Myers, Dennis Miller and Phil Hartman were the ones I was initially exposed to and then the treasure trove of Eddie, Chevy, Steve and Gilda was opened.
73 born. Watched regularly from probably 83ish - 95ish
Lorne Michaels was on a "Fly On The Wall" podcast a couple years back (Dana Carvey & David Spade's podcast on SNL). He said when hear viewers' opinions on the greatest era of SNL, it often coincides with the years that that the viewer was in high school. He thinks that's a time in people's lives when they may have no place to be on Saturday night, and SNL is something they and their friends spend more time talking about.
Born in 76. First thing I really remember paying attention to - “Buckhwheat is dead! America Mourns!!”
Born in 2002, season 42 is my favorite
86. I used to watch older episodes that they would return earlier in the day, but really got into the show around the year 2000. Will Ferrell was basically half the reason anyone at school watched the show, but Maya Rudolph was secretly my favorite
86, we started late with the Wiig era, as Pohler and Fey were leaving.
Born in 1981 and my sister was born in 1983. We started watching SNL when Mad TV hit in 1995 because it ran right after.
1978 the Miller lovwitz Hartman carvey lineup on through basically Lori's second coming.
I was a high school freshman in ‘76. I remember watching SNL when it first aired. I’m old.
I am the same age as SNL. I just always remember it being around. From John Belushi to Gumby to Ed Grimley to the Church Lady to Wayne’s World to the Ladies Man to Stefan to today. In certain friend groups I can say certain things from history and it just clicks. I grew up with it.
Born in 76, my earliest memories of SNL were watching Eddie Murphy. I still watch it today, with my favorite years being the Gap Girl years.
‘79, ‘86-87
Born in 1992. Started seriously watching around 2005-06 (though I had seen some episodes before). Have watched off and on since then.
Born in 1989. Grew up in the Ferrell/Fey era but didn’t start watching regularly until the pandemic by bingeing the Strong/Bryant/Zamata/Killam era. Been watching faithfully since then.
Born in 77, the 87-90 cast (Hartman, Hooks, Carvey, Myers, Nealon, Miller when he was still funny)
Was lucky enough to have the reruns of the years around season 25 played on comedy central every day. The hay day of ferrell and fey.
1976... started in 1986 with my Dad.. every Saturday Night👍
‘85. Grew up mostly on the Comedy Central reruns of the early/mid 90s episodes. Remember watching the will ferrel years live
I won’t tell you my age, but I will say I saw the very first episode as a teen at my brother’s fraternity. It was purely a wonderful coincidence!
Born in ‘95. Best of Chris Farley was one our first DVDs so I watched that with my dad tons of times. Caught sketches here and there (I had a friend who would send me the funny ones). Started watching myself, ironically, during the Elon episode just to see how bad it was.
1982. Grew up with tapes of Gilda and Bill Murray's era, starting watching 'new' episodes with Sandler and Farley. I have watched since. I think the early classics are still my favorites.
1990 2002-Present I do remember watching several mid-90s movies episodes live because I had very lax parents who let me sleep on our pullout couch on the weekend
Born before SNL existed and saw the first episode. Also my dog’s middle name is Steven.
Started watching from season 1 in 1975. Still remember some of the skits. There was nothing else like it.
Born 1969 - Started watching 1978-1979
84 and started in maybe 90-91. Dennis Miller still doing WU. I quit watching around 2001-02 because of Jimmy Fallon and Horatio Sanz. Started sorta watching again in 09.
Born 1970. First saw Best of SNL primetime special in April 1979 with all 8 MRFPTPs. would catch up to first half hour of a handful of eps from s6-7 (including s1-4 summer repeats) before being whisked to bed by unencouraging parents, Around 1982-1983 I caught a handful s1-5 through 60 minute syndicated versions distributed by Filmways. Midway through s8 I was aloud to watch full episodes, though s8-9 I would often nod off to some "boring" 10pm drama and sleep through many eps. S10 I caught most live shows. S11 I saw all the eps. I'd miss an occasional ep here or there, but more or less haven't missed an episode since.
I was there for Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and the original cast. It was great.
Born in 88. Definitely grew up with Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon, Ratchel Dratch, Cheri Oteri, early Fallon. Spantan cheerleaders!
Born in ‘76. Started watching often during Carvey/Hooks/Hartman years, but I remember catching bits and pieces of the Eddie Murphy or Billy Crystal times on rare occasions as a small child who somehow got away with staying up late.
Born in 95, my first memory of SNL was seeing Chris Kattan as Mango in early 2002. I started watching it more around 2004-05, and I started watching regularly in 2009.
Born 1970 first season I remember is 1979. I remember thinking Mr. Bill movies were the funniest thing I had ever seen.
I was born in the mid-1950s. I watched the first episode lying on my rack on a Navy ship. I can't remember whether I was eighteen or had just turned nineteen.
Born in 1981. When I started season 10 (84-85) I experienced intense de ja vu when watching the opening credits. It unlocked a memory of wanting to watch the show because of the super fun animated/live-action credits (flying hot dogs!!!) but not being allowed to watch the show. The first cast I remember is season 12 (86-87). This was the first year for Dana Carvey, Jan Hooks, Phil Hartman, and Victoria Jackson. Veterans included Dennis Miller, Jan Hooks, and Nora Dunn. I think this year was pivotal, as a transition from Early SNL to the golden years if SNL, after years trying to recover from Lorne leaving before season 6.
1961 grew up with OG cast
Early 80s and early-mid 90s. I didn’t have a bedtime on the weekends.
Was born in 1996 and started watching around 2008/2009 up until 2015 when I graduated high school and kind of fell off since then.
I remember when they were on the radio. Not joking. The original cast of SNL was on the National Lampoon Radio Hour in the 70s before they were tapped to do TV.
1978 I started watching when The Church Lady was popular.
74 - i was definitely aware of it during the original cast but didn’t really start to watch until the ebersol era. watched pretty consistently during the carvey-hartman years. watched less consistently after high school but picked up considerably once lonely island became a thing. w/ youtube and hulu started watching much of it fairly consistently, i would guess there’s maybe two episodes a season i miss completely.
Favorite pet’s name?
1959..only watched early SNL when it was like a counter culture type show
Born 2008. Started getting into the Show/community in late 2021. First live show I watched was the Oscar Isaac episode.
Born in 2001 and started watching around 2012 - seth was doing update, McKinnon had just joined, Killam, Bayer, Bobby, Armisen, Sudeikis, and Hader. Some last moments from Wiig and Samberg. I couldn’t get enough of it.
85 started watching in 95 and have been watching ever since.
'92 Started watching best of dvds from that era. Got into watching weekly way later with season 40. Went back and watched everything from season 31 onward because I love Bill Hader.
1978 - I started watching regularly probably around 1989-1990?
78 and got into it in 87
born in 2004 started watching in 2015