Instead of chronicling the “eras” (hasn’t that already been done?), the Peacock documentary plucks out concepts and lets you see how the sausage is made.

The sketch comedy show is celebrating 50 seasons with two documentaries and an upcoming prime-time special that reflect on its standing as an American institution.

There are books — the best of which is still “ Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live ” — and countless movies, including a 2010 documentary and a 2024 feature, both titled “Saturday Night,” and a slew of comedies derived from popular “SNL” sketches, notably “The Blues Brothers” and “ Wayne’s World .”

Beyond Saturday Night takes a look back at the show's history and some of its most iconic cast members, including the show's longest-running cast member. With the historic comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live now in its 50th season,

Live will air a brand-new episode tonight, January 18. The latest entry in season 50 should be one for the books. SNL went on its annual holiday hiatus following the December 21 episode hosted by Martin Short.