SNL Companion

Stephen Tropiano is a professor of screen studies at Ithaca College in Los Angeles, where he teaches courses in film and television history, theory, and criticism. He is the author of several books, including Saturday Night Live FAQ, The Prime Time Closet: A History of Gays and Lesbians on Television, and TV Finales FAQ. His latest book is America on Television: Race, Gender, Class, and Sexuality on Television.Steven Ginsberg is the Pendleton Professional Chair at Ithaca College in Los Angeles, where he teaches courses in film and television writing. He has written for film, television, and stage, including the coming-of-age dramedy Family Prayers, starring Joe Mantegna, Anne Archer, Patti Lupone, and Paul Reiser. In addition, he writes the weekly blog Notes from aChair, which covers the intersection of pop culture, politics, and social issues, and hosts its monthly sister podcast, Pod from a Chair.

In 2025, Saturday Night Live will celebrate an unprecedented 50 years on the air. It is already the longest-running sketch comedy show on television, and much has been written over the years about its storied history. This companion focuses less on behind-the-scenes stories and provides a broader picture of the long-running series. Tropiano and Ginsberg have assembled an encyclopedic volume of information about the show with details about each season, yearly cast changes, memorable characters and sketches, and illuminating historical insights… This makes this unofficial guide a fantastic resource for fans of all generations. An extensive appendix that includes the airdate, host, musical guest, and program notes for every episode through the most recent 49th season is handy. This is a comprehensive ticket to learning more about every aspect of the late-night comedy staple and its storied history.