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SNL’s Unique Thanksgiving Week Episode: A Forgotten History

Source: The Forgotten History of SNL’s Lone Thanksgiving-Week Episode (2025-11-26)

In the rich 50-year legacy of Saturday Night Live, the show has traditionally paused during Thanksgiving week, resuming with new episodes afterward. However, a rare exception occurred on November 27, 1976, during its second season, when the show aired a single, standalone episode hosted by a 14-year-old Jodie Foster. Unlike typical holiday episodes, this broadcast lacked Thanksgiving-themed sketches or cold opens, featuring only a couple of Thanksgiving jokes on “Weekend Update.” This anomaly highlights how SNL’s production schedule has generally avoided airing during the holiday week, emphasizing the show's intense, year-round commitment. Recent developments reveal that, despite the tradition of taking a break, SNL has occasionally experimented with holiday-week broadcasts, including special anniversary episodes and charity fundraisers. Notably, the 1976 episode remains a unique case, as it was produced during a period when the show was still establishing its identity and faced different production constraints. Today, SNL continues to adapt, with recent seasons incorporating more flexible scheduling, including holiday specials and digital-only content to engage audiences during festive periods. The show’s ability to evolve while maintaining its core comedic spirit underscores its resilience and cultural significance. As of 2025, SNL remains a vital platform for comedy, with its history of exceptions like the 1976 Thanksgiving episode serving as a testament to its innovative spirit and enduring appeal.

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