Canadians have always been an accessory Saturday Night LiveThe innovative NBC sketch comedy show that marks its 50th anniversary this weekend.
In an alternative universe, SNL It could actually have been a Canadian show.
Its creator and producer, Lorne Michaels, born in Toronto, began to make a comedy of sketches on CBC and once launched a SNL-The show as the Canadian station.
“I made a pilot for the CBC in 1971 and decided not to put it,” Michaels said in the 1992 documentary about CBC’s The newspaper. “And most had the form of what was going to be Saturday night live.“
Instead, Michaels created SNL For NBC in 1975, with a small cast that included Dan Aykroyd, born in Ottawa.
The program captured generations of night television spectators with their strange comedy and their political satire, and has launched the races of innumerable Hollywood stars.
The members of the cast over the years have included numerous Canadians, such as Aykroyd and his brother Peter, Mark McKinney (Ottawa), Martin Short (Hamilton, Ontario), Phil Hartman (Brantford, Ontario), Mike Myers (Toronto) and Norm Macdonald (Quebec City).
An even longer list of Canadians has been the host of the program.
‘One of the best things I’ve done’
“It is one of the best things I have done, and the most fun I have had,” said BC actor Pamela Anderson to the Canadian press in describing his experience organizing SNL In 1997. “I love the tenacity and vision of Lorne Michaels. He was really inspiring.”
Jason Priestley de Vancouver, who was the host in 1992, called him one of the best weeks of fun he has ever had professionally.
“It is a great company, appear on Monday morning and read a table, and for Saturday night you are doing a live broadcast,” he said.
Canadian actors Rick Moranis, Catherine O’Hara, Jim Carrey, Brendan Fraser, Seth Rogen and Ryan Gosling have received each SNL More than once.
Some of the largest musical stars in Canada, such as Drake and Justin Bieber, have doubled as host and musical guest, while Arcade Fire, Michael Buble and Avril Lavigne have filled the coveted musical slot on multiple occasions.
And some Canadians will never forget the iconic 1995 performance of the hip tragically, in which the late Gord Downie changed the lyrics in the initial words of Grace too.
The program’s 50th anniversary festivities began Friday night with the welcome concert, with Bad Bunny, Cher, Post Malone and more.
On Saturday, NBC and Peacock will transmit the first episode of the program at 11:30 pm et.
Finally on SundaySNL50: The Anniversary Special It will be broadcast at 8 PM ET, also in NBC and Peacock. The “red carpet coverage” prior to the show will be broadcast live in all SNL Social and digital platforms, including YouTube.
Here is a look at some SNL Skets with Canadians.
French chef (1978)
Dan Aykroyd makes a bloody parody of the iconic television chef Julia Child, who was one of the first women to organize her own kitchen program.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esxv6igbgfq
Proud Canadians (1992)
Phil Hartman and Catherine O’Hara come together to boast of Canada in Song, after the Toronto Blue Jays won the MLB World Series of 1992.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4ZRMHRE4UA
Celebrities Jeopardia! (1999)
Norm Macdonald portrays Burt Reynolds as a conceited and unpleasant Danger! contestant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beghu90qjh4
Drake’s Beef (2016)
The self -directing parody of the rapper of Toronto Drake was an omen of things to come, with recent headlines dominated by its real beef of real life with the rival Kendrick Lamar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mqeexi0fpu
The commitment (2024)
Ryan Gosling struggles to keep him together while interpreting a man who desperately tries to escape his recent commitment.
