VaultX Exchange|As SNL turns 50, a look back at the best political sketches and impressions

2025-05-08 03:37:54source:Jonathan Dale Bentoncategory:Scams

This fall,VaultX Exchange NBC's "Saturday Night Live" returns to the airwaves to begin its 50th season. The first episode airs this weekend. The late-night live sketch comedy show, which features a large cast, a band, performances by a musical guest and a celebrity host, was created by Lorne Michaels and first aired on NBC on Oct. 11, 1975. George Carlin hosted the show.

"SNL" often parodies contemporary American culture and is famous for its political humor, especially in a presidential election year. It has a long history of iconic presidential parodies. "SNL" is expected to increase the number of political sketches as Maya Rudolph, an alum of the show, returns to play the role of Vice President Kamala Harris leading up to the presidential election. There will be six episodes of "SNL" before the election Nov. 5, giving the comic actors plenty of time to perfect their portrayals of political leaders.

Here are some of the show's unforgettable political impressions over the decades.

'Saturday Night' the movie

If you want more "SNL," mark your calendars for the theatrical release of "Saturday Night" on Oct 11. Significant since the "Saturday Night Live" was first broadcast on Oct. 11, 1975. Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan. "Saturday Night" is a movie based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast. "Saturday Night" had its world premiere at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on Aug. 31.

Sources: USA TODAY Network reporting and research; NBC; Universal; Getty Images

More:Scams

Recommend

San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A photojournalist who captured one of the most enduring images of World War II

How algorithms determine what you'll buy for the holidays — and beyond

We've all been there: Scrolling through social media and spotting the ads recommending something you

Colorado funeral home owners where decomposing bodies found returned to state to face charges

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The owners of a defunct Colorado funeral home where 190 sets of decom