My Favorite Era of Saturday Night Live

By Allison Johnson
Blog Content Contributor

I remember the first time I watched Saturday Night Live when I was 6 years old. Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon were doing the weekend update. I honestly can’t tell you what stories they were covering in this segment, but I remember laughing so hard with my Dad. From that moment, something sparked in me. I loved what I was seeing! I loved the idea of the satirical news, the comedy sketches, the comedians, and the bond between the cast.

That year was running its 29th season. It wasn’t until middle school, that I became a regular viewer. Around that time in 2008, VH1 and Comedy Central showed reruns of Saturday Night Live all summer. I’m sure we all remember our first experience of binge watching; staying up until 3am during the summer watching syndicated shows. Well, my show was Saturday Night Live.

Most of the episodes aired were from the 2003-2005 era. The cast was amazing. During those years, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ratchet Dratch, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Chris Parnell, Will Forte, Horatio Sanz, Seth Meyers, and Darrell Hammond were repertory players. Although I love members from later seasons like Kristin Wiig, Andy Samberg, and Bill Hader, I would have to say season 29 was an all-star cast.

From that era of SNL, there are a few episodes that I will never forget, but season 29 episode 18 is a classic. Lindsey Lohan was the host, and Usher was the musical guest. Rachel Dratch portrayed a notable character Debbie, in the reoccurring Debbie Downer sketch. The actors in the sketch just lose it during the show. Debbie is a pessimistic person who always has something negative to say. She is an absolute buzzkill. When she would say something negative the camera did a tight shot of her face and the music does that sad trombone “wahhh wahhh” sound.

In this episode, a family is at Disney World enjoying their lunch. Each family member is talking about their favorite thing about the family reunion so far and Debbie is changing the subject to something morbid instead of having a conversation about Disney World. After a couple of tight shots, Rachel loses it and starts to laugh directly to the camera. Jimmy Fallon, Lindsey Lohan, Amy Poehler, Horatio Sanchez, and Fred Armisen begin to laugh.

They all put their heads down to try to hide their laughs, but it is not working. Each actor begins to struggle to get their lines out because they cannot stop laughing. It’s rumored that Lorne Michaels was mad about the cast cracking up during the skit. I personally think it’s nice to see that every occasionally.

I recommend watching this sketch, and giving season 29 a chance. Download the Saturday Night Live app and check out some classics! Also, be sure to check out SNL at 10:30pm! On Saturday Nights of course.

Featured image by Allison Johnson.