MYK: Rod Celebrates SNL 50

Rod took some time to reflect on Saturday Night Live.SNL has been a constant presence in my life. It predates my birth by five years, and my earliest memories revolve around wanting to watch it. I practically counted down the days until I was old enough to stay up late on Saturdays. Between VH1 reruns of classic episodes, videotapes of commercial parodies, and the "Best Of" compilations featuring Belushi and Murphy, SNL felt like this exclusive club I desperately wanted to join. And that's precisely what it is – a cool club. It's been on the air for 50 years; some call it an institution, but institutions can be stuffy. Think of *60 Minutes* – it's an institution, but I never yearned to watch it. *60 Minutes* never defined "cool" for me. *60 Minutes* never had me repeating catchphrases to my parents and friends. SNL, on the other hand, has always been there, and I'm amazed by its longevity. I hope it continues for years to come. I love that it captures a cultural moment, from the A-list hosts to the up-and-coming musical guests. I love the unpredictability of the performances; some are great, some less so. And sketch comedy isn't supposed to be perfect; it's either hit or miss. So, I've never bought into the "SNL is dead" narrative. It's essentially the same as it was in 1975, and that's something to celebrate.