Can SNL Ever Be Funny Again? Currently celebrating its 50th season, Saturday Night Live is the most dominant sketchy comedy show in the history of American television. And while it’s given us lots of stars and spin-offs over the years, the show has grown increasingly stagnant. In particular, the show’s political sketches feel more and more toothless. But does this have to be the case? We answer this question by looking at the more radical early years of the show, and considering the function of comedic irony.