‘SNL’ is firmly in Gen X territory at 50… but these shows have been on even longer

On October 11, 1975, the freshman cast of “Saturday Night Live” took the stage for the sketch comedy show’s first-ever live broadcast. But some shows go even further back.

On October 11, 1975, the freshman cast of “Saturday Night Live” took the stage for the sketch comedy show’s first-ever live broadcast. With comedy legends such as Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner and Chevy Chase among the ensemble cast sparking the kind of laughter that makes your face hurt, the show was a hit. Ever since, the Lorne Michaels-created NBC mainstay has been providing weekend entertainment through hilarious sketches, meaningful host monologues and unforgettable musical performances, not to mention some sidesplitting impressions. This weekend, “SNL” will mark a major milestone as the show – along with its original creator Michaels – embarks on its 50th season. While it has certainly cemented an enduring legacy, here’s a list of some of the longest-running shows on TV that have even “SNL” beat: For more than 75 years, viewers have made “Meet the Press” part of their Sunday mornings. The news program debuted on NBC in 1947 as a 30-minute program and expanded into a one-hour broadcast in 1992. With its interview-style format, leading journalists have for decades spoken to every US president since 1960, along with members of congress and other world newsmakers. “Meet the Press” holds the title of the longest-running show on network television, according to NBC. Another septuagenarian program, “Today” debuted on NBC over 70 years ago with anchor Dave Garroway saying “Good morning” to viewers for the very first time. The weekday morning news program covers everything from breaking news to politics to music and pop culture.