Changes

{{Cquote|On May 8, the notoriously left-wing Vice ran an opinion piece by Harry Cheadle with the headline “‘SNL’ Cold Opens Are Unfunny, Elitist Pieces of Liberal Propaganda.” The piece went on to lambast these political segments for consisting almost entirely of “obvious applause lines” meant to reassure the “anti-[[Donald Trump|Trump]] crowd” that all of their “knee-jerk impulses and prejudices are correct.” This is not satire. This is preaching to the choir, or, as Cheadle puts it, “spoon-feeding the audience their own spit-up.” Satire is under no obligation to mock all sides equally, and it certainly can and should take aim at particular targets. But it cannot be allowed merely to soothe its viewers into complacency. Most anti-Trump comedy exists only to remind liberals that everybody who matters already agrees with them and that anyone who doesn’t agree is crazy... This level of smugness, which bears just as much responsibility for Trump’s rise as Trump himself, is ripe for satire.<ref>[https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/how-donald-trump-killed-left-wing-political-satire/ How Donald Trump Killed Left-Wing Political Satire] by Grayson Quay, The American Conservative website</ref>}}

{{Cquote|On May 8, the notoriously left-wing Vice ran an opinion piece by Harry Cheadle with the headline “‘SNL’ Cold Opens Are Unfunny, Elitist Pieces of Liberal Propaganda.” The piece went on to lambast these political segments for consisting almost entirely of “obvious applause lines” meant to reassure the “anti-[[Donald Trump|Trump]] crowd” that all of their “knee-jerk impulses and prejudices are correct.” This is not satire. This is preaching to the choir, or, as Cheadle puts it, “spoon-feeding the audience their own spit-up.” Satire is under no obligation to mock all sides equally, and it certainly can and should take aim at particular targets. But it cannot be allowed merely to soothe its viewers into complacency. Most anti-Trump comedy exists only to remind liberals that everybody who matters already agrees with them and that anyone who doesn’t agree is crazy... This level of smugness, which bears just as much responsibility for Trump’s rise as Trump himself, is ripe for satire.<ref>[https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/how-donald-trump-killed-left-wing-political-satire/ How Donald Trump Killed Left-Wing Political Satire] by Grayson Quay, The American Conservative website</ref>}}

===Impact of COVID-19 on Season 45===

===Impact of COVID-19===

The first 15 episodes were broadcast from Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, when SNL is usually broadcast live.  However, after places began to shut down in March 2020, SNL began to do episodes called "Saturday Night Live At Home."  These episodes featured the cast members doing pre-taped sketches at their respective homes, via video messaging.  These episodes consisted of the final three episodes of the season.  The first of these episodes aired on April 11, 2020, with Tom Hanks, who along with his wife Rita Wilson, were recovering from COVID-19.  The musical guest was Chris Martin.  The second episode, aired on April 25, 2020, with no guest host, but the musical guest was Miley Cyrus. The third episode, and Season 45 finale, aired on May 9, 2020, featuring Kristen Wiig as the host and Boyz II Men as the musical guest.  During the broadcast, a graphic featuring Little Richard, who died earlier in the day, was shown in silence.

The first 15 episodes were broadcast from Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, when SNL is usually broadcast live.  However, after places began to shut down in March 2020, SNL began to do episodes called "Saturday Night Live At Home."  These episodes featured the cast members doing pre-taped sketches at their respective homes, via video messaging.  These episodes consisted of the final three episodes of the season.  The first of these episodes aired on April 11, 2020, with Tom Hanks, who along with his wife Rita Wilson, were recovering from COVID-19.  The musical guest was Chris Martin.  The second episode, aired on April 25, 2020, with no guest host, but the musical guest was Miley Cyrus. The third episode, and Season 45 finale, aired on May 9, 2020, featuring Kristen Wiig as the host and Boyz II Men as the musical guest.  During the broadcast, a graphic featuring Little Richard, who died earlier in the day, was shown in silence.  When the show returned for season 46, it was back in Studio 8H.

== Current Cast ==

== Current Cast ==