'SNL' Cast Members Beck Bennett, Kyle Mooney and More Reflect on 45 Seasons of 'Saturday Night Live'

🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.

When Saturday Night Live debuted on October 11, 1975, there was no way the Canadian-born comedy writer and show creator Lorne Michaels could have known how long it would remain on air. Yet, here we are 45 seasons later and the NBC sketch comedy show is still going strong.

Since its premiere, SNL has become the longest-running show on late-night television. It's won more awards than one can count, and it's launched the careers of some of the most celebrated comedians in history. So it's no wonder current members of today's SNL cast are still so thrilled to be a part of the show.

SNL cast members Beck Bennett, Mikey Day, Kyle Mooney, Melissa Villasenor, Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim opened up to Newsweek about their roles on a show with such rich comedic history and what they hope to see in the next 45 seasons of SNL.

See the full interview with the SNL cast below.

Answers were condensed for purposes of editing and length.

'SNL' Cast Members Reflect on 45 Seasons of Comedy Show — From left, Beck Bennett as The Wedding Singer, Kenan Thompson as Ron Baker, Kyle Mooney as Ray Sandler, Melissa Villaseñor as The Waterboy, Aidy Bryant as Janet Sandler-Baker, Mikey Day as Mac Sandler, musical guest... Will Heath/NBC

How do you feel to be a part of a show that has now been on TV for 45 seasons?

Beck Bennett: The fact that I'm a part of a show that's been on the air for 45 seasons makes me feel like I'm part of history and also very very important.

Mikey Day: Very lucky. It's easy to get wrapped up in the day to day of it and get stressed about your particular sketch and whatnot, but it never stops being wonderfully surreal.

Kyle Mooney: It's pretty crazy. Sometimes it'll hit you at weird moments how special this place is. Mostly when you can't come up with an idea and you see a bunch of pictures of cool people on the wall.

Related Stories

Melissa Villasenor: Oh boy it's wild! A true honor to be here! It's the dream I had growing up, and to be here now and forever a part of this historical show is beautiful.

Heidi Gardner: The immediate answer is honored but on another level, it's shocking because you're on something that—for so many years—you were just a massive fan of. So it's shocking to be like, "Wait, the show I'm on is that same show I'm also obsessed with? What?!!!"

Ego Nwodim: It feels very special and often surreal to be part of a show that's been on the air since before I was even an idea! It's such a privilege to contribute to such a historic institution and be following in the footsteps and working with some of my favorite comedians.

When you look back on 45 seasons of SNL, what standout moments and cast members come to mind?

MD: That's a tough one as there are simply too many to list. As a kid, "Wayne's World" was a very big deal for me. I definitely had that hat. I also remember being mesmerized by Jan Hooks's commitment to her characters, even if she just had one line. Anything with Will Ferrell. Will Forte's "Spelling Bee" sketch with Jack Black. I vividly recall the first time I saw Tina Fey on the show and thinking, That's the coolest woman I've ever seen. And lastly, Mr. Kenan Thompson, whose kindness and mastery of this profession is inspiring.

KM: There are too many to list. It all can be pretty humbling. I guess two sketches that are in my head right now are [Will Ferrell's] "Wade Blasingame" dog lawyer bit and the commercial for action figures from the movie Philadelphia.

MV: Will Ferrell's "Cowbell," Kate's cold open as Hillary, Jim Carrey as the lifeguard for a Jacuzzi, Chris Farley making Adam Sandler laugh in "Gap Girls," "Wayne's World," Gilda [Radner] playing a little girl alone in her room.

HG: "Wayne's World" always burns bright in my mind. It was such a joyful sketch. I could laugh with my parents to that one. We all loved it.

EG: "Close Encounter" with Kate McKinnon, Kerry Washington as "Miss Uganda," and Adam Sandler and Dave Chappelle's November 2016 monologue.

In what ways has SNL impacted your life?

MD: The show has touched all aspects of my life, including making me a New Yorker. SNL introduced me to comedy as a little boy and now I get to show it to my own little boy. Recently he told me that Alex [Moffat] was his favorite Trump brother. I appreciated the honesty.

MV: As a kid, watching SNL made me feel inspired to become a comedian. I felt I belonged on this show. In high school, I was a wandering loner who liked to make people laugh with my voices but didn't have close friends. I used to impersonate all of Jimmy Fallon's and Dana Carvey's impressions. I loved knowing there is a place for folks like me that do impressions and voices.

HG: SNL has had a massive impact on my life. It was my first introduction to sketch and characters and [the realization] that this was a thing. And it's how I learned who Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri were and so many other amazing comedians who have helped shape my point of view. SNL was the first time I ever saw Tenacious D. That was a big one for me.

How has SNL shaped the future of comedy?

BB: I think it's served as sort of a common ground for comedy. Since its been around for so long its affected most people somehow. [SNL] has created so much material and performers that go on to then create other influential comedy after the show, and I think that's because working here is exciting and stressful and it pushes people to work hard and become the best they can be.

MV: SNL shapes comedy by staying current weekly and isn't afraid of touching upon what we feel inside. The show exposes everything, whether on "Weekend Update" or in a sketch. I hope the show keeps blooming and keeps adding diverse artists.

HG: SNL has shaped the future of comedy with its variety. The show has done and been everywhere and shown people that taking risks can have huge rewards. And I hope that's where we continue to go with comedy. The weird. The insane. The throwback. All of it. Let's just go for it. Free in our comedy, wanting to make people laugh like really freaking hard!

What are your hopes for the next 45 seasons of SNL?

MD: My hope for the next 45 seasons is that Lorne stays onboard. It's hard to imagine this show without him captaining the ship. I think he can do it.