Canadians have been a constant presence on Saturday Night Live (SNL), the legendary NBC sketch comedy series celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend.
Interestingly, in a parallel universe, SNL might have been a Canadian production. Its creator, Toronto-born Lorne Michaels, began his career with sketch comedy at CBC and even pitched an SNL-like show to the Canadian network.
“I’d done a pilot for the CBC in 1971, and they decided not to put it on,” Michaels revealed in a 1992 CBC documentary. “And most of it was in the shape of what was to be Saturday Night Live.”
Instead, Michaels launched SNL on NBC in 1975 with a cast that included Ottawa-born Dan Aykroyd. Over the decades, SNL has become a cultural phenomenon, entertaining late-night audiences with its offbeat humor and sharp political satire while serving as a launching pad for numerous Hollywood stars.
A host of Canadian talents have graced the SNL stage as cast members, including Aykroyd and his brother Peter, Mark McKinney (Ottawa), Martin Short (Hamilton, Ont.), Phil Hartman (Brantford, Ont.), Mike Myers (Toronto), and Norm Macdonald (Quebec City). Many other Canadians have taken on the hosting role, leaving their own mark on the show.
Pamela Anderson, a B.C. native who hosted SNL in 1997, described the experience as one of the best of her career. “I just love Lorne Michaels’ tenacity and vision. It was really inspiring,” she said. Vancouver-born Jason Priestley, who hosted in 1992, called it “one of the greatest weeks of fun” he ever had professionally.
Canadian actors such as Rick Moranis, Catherine O’Hara, Jim Carrey, Brendan Fraser, Seth Rogen, and Ryan Gosling have all hosted SNL multiple times, further showcasing the enduring influence of Canadian talent on the show.
The musical stage has also seen Canada’s finest, with stars like Drake and Justin Bieber performing double duty as hosts and musical guests. Other celebrated Canadian musicians, including Arcade Fire, Michael Bublé, and Avril Lavigne, have performed on the show, and The Tragically Hip delivered a memorable 1995 performance, with Gord Downie famously altering the lyrics of Grace, Too.
To celebrate its 50th season, SNL kicked off festivities Friday night with The Homecoming Concert, featuring Bad Bunny, Cher, Post Malone, and others. NBC and Peacock will re-air SNL’s first-ever episode on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET, followed by SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, with red carpet coverage streamed on SNL’s digital platforms.
Source: Swifteradio.com
