Nerdstalgic

How The Lonely Island Made SNL Matter Again (2025x8)

Air date: Jan 27, 2025

As Saturday Night Live approaches its 50th anniversary, it’s hard to imagine the legendary sketch show ever struggling. But in the mid-2000s, SNL faced challenges connecting with younger audiences as internet culture began to dominate. Enter Andy Samberg and The Lonely Island. With Lorne Michaels taking a chance on the trio, the Lonely Island digital shorts revolutionized the show and brought SNL back into the spotlight. Without their contributions, Saturday Night Live may have faded into obscurity.