Saturday Night Liveis the most popular American sketch comedy show in the nation, running for almost 50 years. This hit show has been the starting point for some of the funniest actors and comedians in the nation likeJohn Mulaney, Tina Fey, Leslie Jones, Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler,andSeth Meyers.
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Over the course of the program’s long history, many of the cast members and writers have been able to score hit-television gigs, many of them being produced by the head producer of SNLLorne Michaels.These shows have not only been enjoyed by fans of SNL, but they’ve become a cultural phenomenon in their own right, and are available to stream anytime.
‘Parks and Recreation’
Where to watch:Peacock
Parks and Recreationstars Amy Poehler after her 7-year run on SNL as Leslie Knope, a peppy and driven member of the Indiana Parks and Recreation Department who hopes to beautify her state’s parks. This hitNBCshow is sure to bring many laughs in as little as the first 5 minutes when Leslie Knope literally sweeps a drunk man off of a playground’s slide as she boasts about working her dream job.
Joining Poehler areRashida Jones,Nick Offerman, andChris Pratt. This all-star cast works so well together as their characters navigate the mediocrity of the Indiana local government. Poehler is one of the founding members of Upright Citizens Brigade, a top comedy training ground where many comedians get their start, so she is a comedy professional.
Where to watch:Netflix,Hulu,Amazon Prime Video, andPeacock
Tina Fey’s loosely-based parody of the SNL workspace,30 Rock, debuted on NBC in 2006 with Lorne Michaels in an executive producer role.30 Rockfollows the awkward and geeky Liz Lemon, who is the head writer for a live sketch comedy show in New York (sounds familiar, right?). When her boss, played by the incomparableAlec Baldwin, brings in the off-the-rails star Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) to help the reviews, things quickly fall apart.
30 Rockis a fast-paced, electrifying, and overall very easy-to-watch show that all fans of SNL should try watching. Tina Fey’s witty humor shines through, earning the show over 10 Primetime Emmy Award wins.30 Rockis not a show worth missing.
Where to watch:HBOMax
Veepis anHBOworkplace comedy starringJulia Louis-Dreyfusas Selina Meyer, the Vice President of the United States — except it is nothing like what she expected. Instead of helping lead the nation, she has to clean up political messes and deal with her extremely dysfunctional relationship with the President of the United States (who happens to not even invite her to national security meetings).
This show’s comedic writing is stellar and is famous for the brutally creative insults thrown every episode. The improvisation-based cast includingTony Hale,Anna Chlumsky,Reid Scott, andMatt Walsh(who is also a founder of the Upright Citizens Brigade) has remarkable chemistry with each other which flows hilariously with the wide range of outlandish situations Selina Meyer must deal with. And who knows, maybe she even runs for President! Filled with hilariously vulgar comedy, this show is perfect for the more mature SNL fans.
‘Documentary Now!’
Where to watch:Netflix
Documentary Now!Is an anthology of various documentary spoofs from the brilliant SNL Alumni, includingBill Hader,Fred Armisen, Meyers, and Mulaney. Every episode is shot in a different documentary style with a fresh twist of comedy, paying attention to the many historical events that did not happen at all.
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Some episodes include “Globesman” about traveling Globe salesmen, and “A Town, a Gangster, a Festival” about a festival in Alaska celebrating Al Capone. Guest stars include the greatHelen Mirrenand the iconicJack Black.
The longest-running SNL Cast memberKenan Thompsonstars in the Lorne Michaels-produced showKenan, about an Atlanta-based TV personality and single father, played by Thompson. Things take a turn for the messy side when his friends and family, who all think they know what is best for him, start to get involved with his work.
Thompson brings so much life and fresh air to this role, and all current SNL fans can easily recognize his unique and hilarious comedic style.
‘Ted Lasso’
Where to watch:AppleTV+
Ted Lasso, the Emmy-award-winning sensation starring SNL alumJason Sudeikis,brings the excitement of British Football to theAppleTV+. When American football coach Ted Lasso is hired to coach a British football team (what is known as soccer in America), he quickly realizes he is in for more than he bargained for.
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While this show is filled with Sudeikis’ great comedic character training, wit, and timing, this show also has an overwhelming heart-warming and optimistic theme. The cast, includingHannah Waddingham,Juno Temple,andBrett Goldstein, is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face and endear them with its humorously-inspiring story.
‘Schmigadoon!’
Schmigadoon!, a musical comedy show starringKeegan-Michael Keyand SNL AlumCecily Strong,finds a couple trapped in a 1940s musical-movie town called Schmigadoon.Filled with showtune-like song, dancing, and Broadway veteransincludingAriana DeBoseandKristin Chenoweth,Schmigadoon!is a quirky and fun-filled show for all ages and fans of SNL.
In addition tocurrent SNL cast member Strongstarring in the show, SNL fan-favoriteBowen Yangserved as a writer for the first season.
‘Portlandia’
Where to watch:Amazon Prime Video
Portlandiais the creation of Armisen and his band memberCarrie Brownstein, formerly known to the online community as comedy duo ThunderAnt. That proclaimed duo led toPortlandia, an absurdist comedy show about life in Portland, Oregon.
Armisen and Brownstein play an array of eccentric characters who call the Northwest city home with a large range of guest stars including SNL AlumBobby Moynihan. For SNL fans that enjoy the outlandish andabsurdly-comedic humor of Armisen, this show is the one to watch!
