Saturday Night Live

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/saturday-night-live

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the program type?Live sketch comedy and variety television series
2. What is the debut air date?October 11, 1975
3. Who started Saturday Night Live?Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol created the show, and it first aired on October 11, 1975.
4. Why is Saturday Night Live special?It is special because it is performed live, uses satire about current events, and has helped many actors and writers become famous.

Cold Open: The initial sketch of an SNL episode, typically a topical parody of current events.
Repertory Cast: The core ensemble of comedians who are regular performers on the show.
Satire: The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices.
Showrunner: The person responsible for the day-to-day production and creative direction of a television series.