Saturday Night Live

Characters debuted in January 1977.

Things didn't start well, but he eventually turned it around.

Band supplanted Michael Jackson at the top of the chart, officially bringing grunge mainstream.

"It was really about the closest I ever came to having a heart attack," producer Dick Ebersol remembered.

'SNL' sketch from 1986 became part of fan lore in its own right.

40 years ago, the comedian earnestly announced that USSR had invaded Poland. Except it didn't happen.

Original cast member and 'Weekend Update' host left during show's second season.

Punk rock band and its fans laid waste to 'Saturday Night Live' on Oct. 31, 1981.

Late-night staple was preempted for baseball history.

"I wanted to keep my job, and they felt the exact opposite.”