The Snl Companion - by Stephen Tropiano & Steven Ginsberg (Paperback)

About the Book

The SNL Companion is "a comprehensive ticket to learning more about every aspect of the late-night comedy staple and its storied history" (Library Journal) for all Saturday Night Live fans.

Book Synopsis

"This is a comprehensive ticket to learning more about every aspect of the late-night comedy staple and its storied history." - Library Journal

Television history was made on October 11, 1975, when a new generation of young performers welcomed America to the first episode of a new late-night comedy and variety show. Combining cutting-edge humor with a satirical sensibility, Saturday Night Live would go on to become the longest-running series of its kind in television history, shining a light on pop culture as well as contemporary social and political issues. It also became a launching pad for many of the leading comedy performers of the last five decades, including John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Eddie Murphy, Phil Hartman, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, Maya Rudolph, and Kate McKinnon
Celebrating the show's record-breaking 50 years on the air, The SNL Companion is a fun, fact-filled tribute to a television institution. From the show's creation by Lorne Michaels through all of the seasons leading up to its golden anniversary, it provides an in-depth look at SNL's comedic highlights and nadirs, its memorable hosts and musical guests, and its many controversies. Along with a complete episode guide, it explores the characters, sketches, politics, catchphrases, commercial parodies, and viral shorts that have made it a leader in American comedy for over five decades. Vastly revised, updated, and expanded since its original publication in 2013 and packed with photographs and rich encyclopedic detail, The SNL Companion is a one-stop resource for all things SNL.

Review Quotes

"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." --Library Journal

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.

About the Author

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.