You'll Impress Lorne Michaels If You Can Pass This Tough SNL Quiz

Saturday Night Live has been on the air for several decades. The show is a pillar of comedy television, and its devoted fans agree. How much do you know about this classic show?

When did the first episode of SNL premiere?

Correct

The show Saturday Night Live first premiered in 1975 with a cast of unknown stars led by Lorne Michaels. Who knew it would last so long!

Incorrect

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The show Saturday Night Live first premiered in 1975 with a cast of unknown stars led by Lorne Michaels. Who knew it would last so long!

What network hosts SNL?

Correct

Since the show was first written and debuted, it has been airing on NBC. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Since the show was first written and debuted, it has been airing on NBC. 

Chevy Chase is famous for impersonating which president on SNL?

Correct

President Ford has the very impressive honor of being impersonated by Chevy Chase, an SNL legend who left after the first season.

Incorrect

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President Ford has the very impressive honor of being impersonated by Chevy Chase, an SNL legend who left after the first season.

Who hosted the debut episode of Saturday Night Live?

Correct

Comedian George Carlin was the first-ever host of the show, which has taken a new leader every week since its launch.

Incorrect

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Comedian George Carlin was the first-ever host of the show, which has taken a new leader every week since its launch.

Which early SNL cast member played the character Samurai Futaba?

Correct

John Belushi played the character Samurai Futaba and it was a huge hit. Audiences loved the wild antics!

Incorrect

You chose:

John Belushi played the character Samurai Futaba and it was a huge hit. Audiences loved the wild antics!

Who was the youngest host of Saturday Night Live?

Correct

At only 7 years old, Drew Barrymore hosted SNL. The year was 1982 and she has since hosted 5 more times. 

Incorrect

You chose:

At only 7 years old, Drew Barrymore hosted SNL. The year was 1982 and she has since hosted 5 more times. 

What iconic line did President Ford deliver on the show?

Correct

Delivering the iconic "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night" is a dream for many, but President Ford was the first member of office to say the words.

Incorrect

You chose:

Delivering the iconic "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night" is a dream for many, but President Ford was the first member of office to say the words.

What musical guest tore up a picture of the Pope during a performance?

Correct

On October 3, 1992, singer Sinead O' Connor tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II. NBC received 4,484 complaints about the incident.

Incorrect

You chose:

On October 3, 1992, singer Sinead O' Connor tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II. NBC received 4,484 complaints about the incident.

What is the name of the cast members featured on Saturday Night Live?

Correct

Though you might not hear it very often, the technical name for the comedic cast members has been "The Not Ready for Prime Time Players" since the show began. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Though you might not hear it very often, the technical name for the comedic cast members has been "The Not Ready for Prime Time Players" since the show began. 

Who was the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live?

Correct

At 80 years old, actress Ruth Gordon was the oldest SNL host in the show's history. 

Incorrect

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At 80 years old, actress Ruth Gordon was the oldest SNL host in the show's history. 

What SNL actor played the character of The Church Lady?

Correct

Cast member Dana Carvey took on the persona of The Church Lady. Carvey was on the show from 1986 to 1993.

Incorrect

You chose:

Cast member Dana Carvey took on the persona of The Church Lady. Carvey was on the show from 1986 to 1993.

Who is the youngest cast member to appear on Saturday Night Live?

Correct

Though he was only on the show for a single season, Anthony Michael Hall joined the cast when he was just 17 as part of the show's young, hip reboot. 

Incorrect

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Though he was only on the show for a single season, Anthony Michael Hall joined the cast when he was just 17 as part of the show's young, hip reboot. 

Who has appeared 16 times as the host of Saturday Night Live?

Correct

Believe it or not, Alec Baldwin holds the record for most times hosting SNL. He now plays Donald Trump as part of the cast!

Incorrect

You chose:

Believe it or not, Alec Baldwin holds the record for most times hosting SNL. He now plays Donald Trump as part of the cast!

What studio is the show filmed in at Rockefeller Center?

Correct

Studio 8H is famous for holding the show since its debut so many decades ago. It is found in the GE Building at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Incorrect

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Studio 8H is famous for holding the show since its debut so many decades ago. It is found in the GE Building at 30 Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Which performer was NEVER a cast member on SNL?

Correct

Surprisingly, though Steve Martin is a fan and frequent guest of the show, he was never actually a cast member or on the staff. 

Incorrect

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Surprisingly, though Steve Martin is a fan and frequent guest of the show, he was never actually a cast member or on the staff. 

Which actress played consumer affairs reporter Roseanne Roseannadanna?

Correct

Roseanna Roseannadanna was played by Gilda Radnor, who was a cast member from 1975 to 1980. She also earned an Outstanding Performance Emmy for performances. 

Incorrect

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Roseanna Roseannadanna was played by Gilda Radnor, who was a cast member from 1975 to 1980. She also earned an Outstanding Performance Emmy for performances. 

Which sketch was made into a movie?

Correct

There were many SNL sketches that got their chance on the silver screen, but Wayne's World was arguably the most popular. 

Incorrect

You chose:

There were many SNL sketches that got their chance on the silver screen, but Wayne's World was arguably the most popular. 

What was the original name of SNL?

Correct

When the show first aired in 1975, the show was called "NBC's Saturday Night" but it was often mixed up with another show on the air, so the name was changed to Saturday Night Live. 

Incorrect

You chose:

When the show first aired in 1975, the show was called "NBC's Saturday Night" but it was often mixed up with another show on the air, so the name was changed to Saturday Night Live. 

Which Chris Farley character lives in a van down by the river?

Correct

Matt Foley is a very overbearing and overwhelming motivational speaker, but it's hard to be motivated when he's living in a van down by the river.

Incorrect

You chose:

Matt Foley is a very overbearing and overwhelming motivational speaker, but it's hard to be motivated when he's living in a van down by the river.

Who was the first female head writer of the show?

Correct

Before breaking off to work on her own projects more, Tina Fey was the first female head writer of SNL. She was head of 130 episodes of the show. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Before breaking off to work on her own projects more, Tina Fey was the first female head writer of SNL. She was head of 130 episodes of the show. 

Who was the first cast member to be born after SNL premiered?

Correct

Kenan Thompson was born three years after the show's premiere. He's now the longest-running cast member on the show!

Incorrect

You chose:

Kenan Thompson was born three years after the show's premiere. He's now the longest-running cast member on the show!

Who was the first female host of SNL?

Correct

In the third episode of the famous series, Candice Bergen became the first female host of Saturday Night Live. 

Incorrect

You chose:

In the third episode of the famous series, Candice Bergen became the first female host of Saturday Night Live. 

Which Adam Sandler character is this?

Correct

Operaman was the Adam Sandler character known for singing the news in an operatic fashion. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Operaman was the Adam Sandler character known for singing the news in an operatic fashion. 

Which Beatle has never appeared on Saturday Night Live?

Correct

John Lennon was the only Beatle member who has never graced the SNL stage as a guest or host. In 1976, Lorne Michaels offered $3,000 for the band to reunite on the show.

Incorrect

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John Lennon was the only Beatle member who has never graced the SNL stage as a guest or host. In 1976, Lorne Michaels offered $3,000 for the band to reunite on the show.

How many sets of brothers have been cast members together on SNL? 

Correct

There have been three sets of brothers who graced the SNL stage together.  Among them are John and James Belushi, Dan and Peter Aykroyd, and Bill and Brian Doyle-Murray.

Incorrect

You chose:

There have been three sets of brothers who graced the SNL stage together.  Among them are John and James Belushi, Dan and Peter Aykroyd, and Bill and Brian Doyle-Murray.

Who is the oldest member to join the SNL cast?

Correct

Leslie Jones joined the cast when she was 47, making her the oldest cast member to join the crew. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Leslie Jones joined the cast when she was 47, making her the oldest cast member to join the crew. 

Who is the highest-paid cast member in the history of the show?

Correct

Will Ferrell is the highest-paid actor who has ever been cast on the show. He earned $350,000 for the 2001-2002 season, though he stayed for three seasons after that. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Will Ferrell is the highest-paid actor who has ever been cast on the show. He earned $350,000 for the 2001-2002 season, though he stayed for three seasons after that. 

Who was the first official cast member on SNL?

Correct

Gilda Radnor was the first member to officially join the cast of SNL back in 1975. 

Incorrect

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Gilda Radnor was the first member to officially join the cast of SNL back in 1975. 

How much money were the original cast of SNL paid per week?

Correct

In the first season of the show, the cast members were each paid only $750 per episode. By season two, that number was closer to $2000. 

Incorrect

You chose:

In the first season of the show, the cast members were each paid only $750 per episode. By season two, that number was closer to $2000. 

How many times did Jim Carrey audition for SNL?

Correct

Most people don't get the chance to try out once, much less twice. Nevertheless, the now-famous comedian wasn't good enough for Lorne. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Most people don't get the chance to try out once, much less twice. Nevertheless, the now-famous comedian wasn't good enough for Lorne. 

Which cast member called the show talent coordinator every day begging for a spot?

Correct

Eddie Murphy called the SNL talent manager so often that he eventually earned himself an audition. Needless to say, it worked out pretty well for him. 

Incorrect

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Eddie Murphy called the SNL talent manager so often that he eventually earned himself an audition. Needless to say, it worked out pretty well for him. 

Which is the least successful SNL movie?

Correct

Though most SNL movies didn't exactly win any awards, the least successful one by far is "It's Pat!" which grossed about $60,000.

Incorrect

You chose:

Though most SNL movies didn't exactly win any awards, the least successful one by far is "It's Pat!" which grossed about $60,000.

Which SNL writer quit, and then pretended they didn't?

Correct

Larry David recalls struggling to get his sketches on air. He abruptly quit, but upon realizing his costly mistake, showed up to work Monday as if the outburst never took place. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Larry David recalls struggling to get his sketches on air. He abruptly quit, but upon realizing his costly mistake, showed up to work Monday as if the outburst never took place. 

Which cast member was fired twice from SNL?

Correct

Chris Parnell was fired once in 2001, rehired, and then fired again due to budget cuts in 2006. What a rollercoaster!

Incorrect

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Chris Parnell was fired once in 2001, rehired, and then fired again due to budget cuts in 2006. What a rollercoaster!

Which famous comedian turned down the chance to write for SNL?

Correct

Mindy Kaling did not get cast on the show, but she did get a writing job offer. She had to turn it down, unfortunately, because she was already working on another popular show...The Office. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Mindy Kaling did not get cast on the show, but she did get a writing job offer. She had to turn it down, unfortunately, because she was already working on another popular show...The Office. 

Which musical guest refused to host with Andrew Dice Clay, due to his sexist stand-up routine?

Correct

Nora Dunn refused to take the same stage as Andrew Dice Clay. She told the press before she told Lorne, who then blacklisted her from the show for the act. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Nora Dunn refused to take the same stage as Andrew Dice Clay. She told the press before she told Lorne, who then blacklisted her from the show for the act. 

Who was Chris Farley's favorite cast member?

Correct

Farley idolized John Belushi so much that he once even stole a pair of his pants from his dressing room. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Farley idolized John Belushi so much that he once even stole a pair of his pants from his dressing room. 

Which actress claims she was offered a spot on the comedy show?

Correct

Jennifer Aniston claims she was offered a spot on the show, but turned it down. Adam Sandler backs up her story, but Jen says she turned it down because "it was a boys’ club." She added, "They thought I was making a huge mistake."

Incorrect

You chose:

Jennifer Aniston claims she was offered a spot on the show, but turned it down. Adam Sandler backs up her story, but Jen says she turned it down because "it was a boys’ club." She added, "They thought I was making a huge mistake."

Which star interned at Saturday Night Live?

Correct

Parks and Rec star Aubrey Plaza was once an intern on the set of SNL. She auditioned three years later but did not earn the role. 

Incorrect

You chose:

Parks and Rec star Aubrey Plaza was once an intern on the set of SNL. She auditioned three years later but did not earn the role. 

What do SNL cast members call it when a celebrity does a sketch with someone impersonating them?

Correct

Tina Fey confirmed that a Sneaker Upper is "when a famous person ‘sneaks up’ behind the actor who plays them and pretends to be mad about it."

Incorrect

You chose:

Tina Fey confirmed that a Sneaker Upper is "when a famous person ‘sneaks up’ behind the actor who plays them and pretends to be mad about it."

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