Saturday Night Live Trivia
Saturday Night Live trivia explores the long-running NBC sketch comedy series created by Lorne Michaels and developed with Dick Ebersol, which premiered on October 11, 1975, with George Carlin as host under the original title NBC's Saturday Night. From breakout cast members to iconic characters and live television milestones, it offers a lively way to revisit one of American TV's most influential comedy institutions.
Easy Saturday Night Live Trivia
13 questions
These easy Saturday Night Live trivia questions are great for beginners and kids around age 12 and under.
Question 1
On what date did Saturday Night Live first premiere?
Answer: October 11, 1975
Saturday Night Live premiered on October 11, 1975.
Question 2
Which TV network airs Saturday Night Live?
- A.CBS
- B.ABC
- C.FOX
- D.NBC
Answer: NBC
SNL airs on NBC.
Question 3
Who created Saturday Night Live?
Answer: Lorne Michaels
Lorne Michaels created Saturday Night Live.
Question 4
Who co-developed Saturday Night Live with Lorne Michaels?
Answer: Dick Ebersol
Dick Ebersol co-developed Saturday Night Live with Lorne Michaels.
Question 5
Who hosted the very first episode of Saturday Night Live?
Answer: George Carlin
George Carlin hosted the first episode of SNL.
Question 6
Saturday Night Live is best described as what kind of show?
- A.An American game show
- B.American sketch comedy variety show
- C.An American daytime talk show
- D.A British sketch comedy series
Answer: An American sketch comedy variety show
SNL is an American sketch comedy variety show.
Question 7
What common three-letter abbreviation is used for Saturday Night Live?
Answer: SNL
SNL is the common abbreviation for Saturday Night Live.
Question 8
What is the name of SNL's long-running fake news segment?
Answer: Weekend Update
Weekend Update is SNL's long-running fake news segment.
Question 9
Which studio is the main home of Saturday Night Live?
Answer: Studio 8H
Studio 8H is the main home studio of Saturday Night Live.
Question 10
SNL is broadcast live from which city?
Answer: New York City
Saturday Night Live is broadcast live from New York City.
Question 11
A typical SNL episode usually has what kind of host?
Answer: A celebrity host
An SNL episode usually has a celebrity host.
Question 12
Besides the host, what kind of guest usually appears on an SNL episode?
Answer: A musical guest
An SNL episode usually features a musical guest.
Question 13
In what year did Saturday Night Live debut?
Answer: 1975
The series debuted in 1975.
Saturday Night Live Family Trivia
12 questions
These family Saturday Night Live trivia questions are built for mixed-age game nights, classrooms, and groups.
Question 1
What city is named in SNL's famous line, "Live from ___, it's Saturday Night!"?
- A.Boston
- B.New York
- C.Chicago
- D.Los Angeles
Answer: New York
The signature intro line says, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!".
Question 2
What kind of sketch do Saturday Night Live episodes usually begin with?
Answer: A cold open sketch
SNL episodes typically open with a cold open sketch.
Question 3
Who long served as the announcer for Saturday Night Live?
Answer: Don Pardo
Don Pardo was the longtime announcer for SNL.
Question 4
Which performer became SNL's first female head writer in 1999?
Answer: Tina Fey
Tina Fey became SNL's first female head writer in 1999.
Question 5
In what year did Eddie Murphy join the SNL cast?
Answer: 1980
Eddie Murphy joined SNL's cast in 1980.
Question 6
Kenan Thompson became an SNL cast member in which year?
Answer: 2003
Kenan Thompson became an SNL cast member in 2003.
Question 7
Kate McKinnon joined Saturday Night Live in what year?
Answer: 2012
Kate McKinnon joined SNL's cast in 2012.
Question 8
Which cast member from the 1990s is known for big, energetic comedy on SNL: Will Ferrell, Tom Hanks, or Don Pardo?
- A.Will Ferrell
- B.Tom Hanks
- C.Don Pardo
- D.Paul Simon
Answer: Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell was a cast member on SNL in the 1990s.
Question 9
Which of these stars was a cast member on SNL: Kristen Wiig, Steve Martin, or Alec Baldwin?
- A.Alec Baldwin
- B.Paul Simon
- C.Kristen Wiig
- D.Steve Martin
Answer: Kristen Wiig
Kristen Wiig was a cast member on SNL.
Question 10
Who was part of the SNL cast: Adam Sandler, Tom Hanks, or Paul Simon?
- A.Paul Simon
- B.Steve Martin
- C.Adam Sandler
- D.Tom Hanks
Answer: Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler was a cast member on SNL.
Question 11
Which comedian in this trio was an SNL cast member: Andy Samberg, Alec Baldwin, or Don Pardo?
- A.Alec Baldwin
- B.Don Pardo
- C.Paul Simon
- D.Andy Samberg
Answer: Andy Samberg
Andy Samberg was a cast member on SNL.
Question 12
Which performer was an SNL cast member: Maya Rudolph, Michael Che, or Tom Hanks?
- A.Steve Martin
- B.Maya Rudolph
- C.Michael Che
- D.Tom Hanks
Answer: Maya Rudolph
Maya Rudolph was a cast member on SNL.
Fun Saturday Night Live Trivia
13 questions
These fun Saturday Night Live trivia questions highlight surprising moments and playful facts for game-night groups.
Question 1
Which music act was born from SNL performances by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi before becoming a phenomenon of its own?
Answer: The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers originated from SNL performances by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi.
Question 2
What movie-spawning SNL sketch featured Mike Myers and Dana Carvey hanging out and riffing together?
Answer: Wayne's World
Wayne's World began is an SNL sketch starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey.
Question 3
Before they were a feature film family, which oddball characters first appeared as recurring SNL characters?
Answer: The Coneheads
The Coneheads started is recurring SNL characters.
Question 4
Which recurring SNL sketch spoofed MacGyver so hard that it created a hero named MacGruber?
Answer: MacGruber
MacGruber began is a recurring SNL sketch parodying MacGyver.
Question 5
Which over-the-top cheer duo on SNL was played by Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri?
Answer: The Spartan Cheerleaders
Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri played the Spartan Cheerleaders on SNL.
Question 6
Chris Farley played what motivational speaker who definitely had a very memorable speaking style?
Answer: Matt Foley
Matt Foley, the motivational speaker, was played by Chris Farley.
Question 7
What flamboyant SNL character, known for wild nightlife recommendations, was played by Bill Hader?
Answer: Stefon
Stefon was an SNL character played by Bill Hader.
Question 8
The famous SNL sketch 'More Cowbell' revolves around the recording of which song?
Answer: "(Don't Fear) The Reaper"
More Cowbell is centered on the song "(Don't Fear) The Reaper.".
Question 9
Which SNL Digital Short had Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell delivering a rap called 'Lazy Sunday'?
Answer: Lazy Sunday
Lazy Sunday was an SNL Digital Short performed by Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell.
Question 10
Andy Samberg teamed up with which guest star in the SNL Digital Short 'Dick in a Box'?
Answer: Justin Timberlake
Dick in a Box featured Andy Samberg and Justin Timberlake.
Question 11
Which recurring SNL character always seemed ready to tank the mood and was played by Rachel Dratch?
Answer: Debbie Downer
Debbie Downer is a recurring SNL character played by Rachel Dratch.
Question 12
What recurring SNL parody turns a quiz show into a comedy free-for-all?
Answer: Celebrity Jeopardy!
Celebrity Jeopardy! is a recurring SNL game-show parody.
Question 13
Dana Carvey played which sanctimonious recurring SNL character?
Answer: Church Lady
Church Lady is a recurring SNL character played by Dana Carvey.
Funny Saturday Night Live Trivia
13 questions
These funny Saturday Night Live trivia questions highlight playful moments, odd facts, and inside jokes.
Question 1
Who made SNL history as the first musical guest listed here, sharing that first-show honor with Janis Ian?
- A.Leon Redbone
- B.Elton John
- C.Billy Preston
- D.Paul Simon
Answer: Billy Preston
Billy Preston and Janis Ian were the first musical guests on SNL.
Question 2
When SNL finally handed the host card to its first woman, who got the gig?
- A.Lily Tomlin
- B.Jane Curtin
- C.Candice Bergen
- D.Gilda Radner
Answer: Candice Bergen
Candice Bergen was the first woman to host SNL.
Question 3
Which comedy legend hosted SNL in 1975, back when the show itself was just getting its sea legs?
- A.Chevy Chase
- B.Richard Pryor
- C.George Carlin
- D.Steve Martin
Answer: Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor hosted SNL in 1975.
Question 4
Which repeat host racked up 10 hosting appearances during SNL's original-run years, basically treating Studio 8H like a timeshare?
Answer: Buck Henry
Buck Henry hosted SNL 10 times during the original run years.
Question 5
In one of TV's stranger flexes, who won a contest to become an SNL host in 1977?
- A.Miskel Spillman
- B.Candice Bergen
- C.Laraine Newman
- D.Marge Champion
Answer: Miskel Spillman
Miskel Spillman won a contest to become an SNL host in 1977.
Question 6
Which felt-covered chaos agents popped up in SNL's first season?
- A.Sesame Street Kids
- B.The Banana Splits
- C.The Muppets
- D.The Smurfs
Answer: The Muppets
The Muppets appeared in SNL's first season.
Question 7
What disaster-prone short-film character first bounced onto SNL in a segment that practically begged for an 'Oh no'?
- A.Mango
- B.Mr. Bill
- C.Mr. Peepers
- D.Toonces
Answer: Mr. Bill
Mr. Bill debuted is a short film segment on SNL.
Question 8
Which John Belushi recurring character brought sword-swinging seriousness to maximum silliness?
Answer: Samurai Futaba
Samurai Futaba was a recurring SNL character played by John Belushi.
Question 9
Gilda Radner played which recurring SNL character with a name that sounds like your autocorrect gave up?
Answer: Roseanne Roseannadanna
Roseanne Roseannadanna was a recurring SNL character played by Gilda Radner.
Question 10
Bill Murray's recurring SNL character Nick was known as what kind of singer?
- A.Subway Singer
- B.Wedding Singer
- C.Lounge Singer
- D.Opera Singer
Answer: Lounge Singer
Nick the Lounge Singer was a recurring SNL character played by Bill Murray.
Question 11
What catchphrase did Billy Crystal's Fernando Lamas impression make famous on SNL?
- A.You look mahvelous.
- B.Isn't that special?
- C.Never mind.
- D.Well, isn't that convenient?
Answer: You look mahvelous.
Billy Crystal impersonated Fernando Lamas on SNL with the catchphrase 'You look mahvelous.'.
Question 12
Which Phil Hartman recurring character argued his case with prehistoric confusion and legal confidence?
Answer: Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer
Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer was a recurring SNL character played by Phil Hartman.
Question 13
Which recurring SNL character proved that giving a cat car keys is a bad transportation policy?
- A.The Ambiguously Gay Duo
- B.Driving Cat
- C.Mr. Peepers
- D.Mango
Answer: Toonces the Driving Cat
Toonces the Driving Cat was a recurring SNL sketch character.
Hard Saturday Night Live Trivia
14 questions
These hard Saturday Night Live trivia questions are for expert fans who want a real challenge.
Question 1
Because of a title conflict with Howard Cosell's ABC program, in what year did NBC finally begin using the title "Saturday Night Live" for the show?
- A.1975
- B.1976
- C.1979
- D.1977
Answer: 1977
NBC held off on using the title until 1977 because ABC already had Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell.
Question 2
After which season did Lorne Michaels first step away from Saturday Night Live as executive producer?
Answer: After the 1979-80 season
Lorne Michaels left the show after the 1979-80 season.
Question 3
When Lorne Michaels first exited, who was tapped to take over as Saturday Night Live's executive producer?
- A.Jean Doumanian
- B.Dick Ebersol
- C.Steve Higgins
Answer: Jean Doumanian
Jean Doumanian became SNL's executive producer after Lorne Michaels first left.
Question 4
Which year marks Dick Ebersol's start as executive producer of Saturday Night Live?
Answer: 1981
Dick Ebersol became SNL's executive producer in 1981.
Question 5
SNL's control room got a familiar boss back in what year, when Lorne Michaels returned as executive producer?
Answer: 1985
Lorne Michaels returned is SNL's executive producer in 1985.
Question 6
What event cut short the 1980-81 season of Saturday Night Live?
- A.A cast boycott
- B.writers strike
- C.A stagehand strike
- D.A network lockout
Answer: A writers strike
The 1980-81 season was cut short by a writers strike.
Question 7
Before he was famous for films, who originally led the SNL band?
- A.Howard Shore
- B.Paul Shaffer
- C.Steve Higgins
- D.Wally Feresten
Answer: Howard Shore
The SNL band was originally led by Howard Shore.
Question 8
Which future late-night bandleader was part of SNL's band in the show's early years?
- A.Dick Ebersol
- B.Paul Shaffer
- C.Howard Shore
- D.Darrell Hammond
Answer: Paul Shaffer
Paul Shaffer was an SNL band member in the show's early years.
Question 9
Who held the title of Saturday Night Live's first head writer?
Answer: Michael O'Donoghue
Michael O'Donoghue was SNL's first head writer.
Question 10
What nickname was given to SNL's original cast?
Answer: The Not Ready for Prime Time Players
The original cast was nicknamed the Not Ready for Prime Time Players.
Question 11
In what year did Saturday Night Live air its 25th-anniversary special?
Answer: 1999
SNL's 25th-anniversary special aired in 1999.
Question 12
Half a century in, what year saw SNL's 50th-anniversary celebration air?
Answer: 2025
SNL's 50th-anniversary celebration aired in 2025.
Question 13
Which longtime producer and writer has also served as an announcer for Saturday Night Live?
- A.Paul Shaffer
- B.Steve Higgins
- C.Dick Ebersol
- D.Howard Shore
Answer: Steve Higgins
Steve Higgins has served is an announcer for SNL.
Question 14
After Don Pardo, which former cast member also took on announcing duties for SNL?
- A.Darrell Hammond
- B.Steve Higgins
- C.Lorne Michaels
Answer: Darrell Hammond
Darrell Hammond also served is SNL's announcer after Don Pardo.
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