Saturday Night Live, as the series is wont to do, finds itself in a renaissance.  Ratings are through the roof and the sketch comedy series has become appointment viewing in the midst of this election season.  Tina Fey's Sarah Palin has been an absolute gift from god for Saturday Night Live, sparking water-cooler debate across the country.  Saturday Night Live has pounced on the increased media exposure, airing four consecutive episodes to begin the season for the first time ever.  In addition, NBC has given SNL a prime-time slot this month, beginning with last week's Thursday at 930pm live Weekend Update special.  SNL will put on two more special Thursday episodes in the same time slot over the next two weeks.  In addition, Saturday Night Live has announced plans to launch its very own video site, featuring sketches from throughout Saturday Night Live's decades long history, and previously unseen skits that were cut after dress rehearsal, among other content.

The video site is still in early stages, and no timetable has been given for when we can expect its launch.  Nor has it been made clear whether the site will feature full episodes, but the general understanding is that the site will feature clips, not episodes.  There will also be bloopers, rehearsal footage, and exclusive new content from Saturday Night Live featured on the site.  It is unlikely that Saturday Night Live will finish the site before the election season ends, but until then you can check out Saturday Night Live clips here on BuddyTV. 

On Thursday, NBC will air another Weekend Update half hour special at 930pm, after an all-new episode of The Office.  The format will likely be very similar to last week's show, which featured a mock debate, then a super-sized weekend update (plus, a cameo from one of SNL's all-time greats, Bill Murray).  The final presidential debate comes this Wednesday, so if SNL wants to do a mock debate, the turnaround for satire will only be one day.  My hunch is that they'll wait for Saturday night to do the mock debate and work something else in at the beginning of Thursday's show (possibly another Tina Fey as Sarah Palin sketch). 

This Saturday, October 18, Saturday Night Live airs a brand new episode with host Josh Brolin (W.) and musical guest Coldplay. 


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Source: Broadcasting and Cable
(Image Courtesy of NBC)