This season was the last for Jimmy Fallon but the first for Kenan Thompson, the first player on the show to be born after its original premiere in 1975, and Jason Sudeikis, who was hired as a writer.

Season 28 featured the debut of Fred Armisen and Will Forte.

This season was impacted by acts of terrorism, from the September 11th attacks that occurred just 18 days before the premiere, to the discovery of anthrax in the building before the third episode.

Season 26 was heavily influenced by the 2000 US presidential election and its lengthy post-election drama that resulted in recounts and the Bush v. Gore case before the US Supreme Court.

Alternatively branded Saturday Night Live 25 or SNL25, this season became infamous for being the first time NBC used contract terms to control cast members’ career moves to other TV shows or movies, including specifics on payment, contract length, and the ability to forcibly decline outside studio offers.

This season features the first appearances by Jimmy Fallon, Chris Parnell, and Horatio Sanz.

A season marred by tragedy, where Chris Farley died only six weeks after hosting the show, and former cast member Phil Hartman was murdered by his wife two weeks after the season finale.

Season 22 saw seven previous cast members return to host the show, including Mike Myers and Chevy Chase.

Season 21 saw musical guest Rage Against the Machine pulled after one song, when they hung American flags upside down on their amplifiers in protest of the episode’s host, billionaire Republican presidential candidate, Steve Forbes.

Despite the milestone year, Lorne Michaels says Season 20 was the closed he ever came to being fired, with NBC considering cancelling the show due to declines in both quality and ratings.