Saturday Night Live
Episode 31 · 2002-04-22
- Documentary
Episode overview
Saturday Night Live charts the creation and evolution of the groundbreaking late‑night institution that reshaped American comedy. The episode traces the show’s 1975 debut under producer Lorne Michaels, born from NBC’s desire for fresh, youth‑oriented programming, and highlights how its mix of sharp satire, live sketches, and fearless improvisation quickly made it a cultural force. Biography explores the early cast — including Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and Dan Aykroyd — whose chemistry and unpredictability defined the show’s rebellious spirit. Through interviews, archival footage, and behind‑the‑scenes stories, the program examines SNL’s ability to reinvent itself across decades, launching major careers while reflecting and skewering American politics, media, and pop culture. Ultimately, the episode celebrates Saturday Night Live as a comedy institution whose influence continues to shape generations of performers and audiences.
60 minutes
Season 10 episodes
1. Larry Flynt: Fighting Dirty1997-01-15
2. Al Lewis: Forever Grandpa2000-01-06
3. Jimmy Hoffa: The Man Behind the Mystery2000-01-12
4. John J. Pershing: The Iron General2000-01-13
5. John Steinbeck: An American Writer2000-01-19
6. Mary Magdalene: The Hidden Apostle2000-01-20
7. Pol Pot: Secret Killer2000-01-26
8. Sally Hemings: Redefining History2000-01-27
9. Stonewall Jackson2000-02-02
10. Yvonne De Carlo: Gilded Lily2000-02-03
11. Enzo Ferrari: Passion for Speed2001-01-04
12. Genovese: Portrait of a Crime Family2001-01-10
13. George Lucas: Creating an Empire2001-01-11
14. Henry Hill: Goodfella2001-01-17
15. Calamity Jane2002-01-03
16. Donald Rumsfeld: Top Gun2002-01-09
17. General George Patton: A Genius for War2002-01-10
18. Hitler and Stalin: Roots of Evil2002-01-16
19. Home Improvement: A Half-Hour of Power2002-01-17
20. John & Abigail Adams: Love and Liberty2002-01-23
21. Joseph Stalin: Red Terror2002-01-24
22. Lewis & Clark: Explorers of the New Frontier2002-01-30
23. Mahatma Gandhi: Pilgrim of Peace2002-01-31
24. Mark Twain: His Amazing Adventures2002-02-06
25. Osama Bin Laden: In the Name of Allah2002-02-07
26. Pablo Escobar: The Terror of Columbia2002-02-13
27. RFK: His Many Sides2002-02-14
28. Ronald Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime2002-02-20
29. The Extraordinary Voyages of Jules Verne2002-02-21
30. The Manson Women: An American Nightmare2002-02-27
31. Saturday Night Live2002-04-22
