Matt Buckler: Despite changes, 'Saturday Night Live' rolls on

May 23—Watching "Saturday Night Live" is like following a professional sports franchise. Every year the roster changes. Favorites leave and rookies you've never heard of before take their place.

Some seasons are great award-winners, and some seasons aren't up to par.

But you keep following it because it remains entertaining. And those rookies will eventually become the next generation of stars. It's been happening for 47 years.

On Saturday's "SNL" season finale, four veterans of the series — Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson, Kyle Mooney, and Aidy Bryant — made their final appearances as regulars.

The show will be missing a lot of star power for next season as there will be cast changes.

But it will still be "Saturday Night Live." — and that means topical sketches, great guest hosts, and moments that people will talk about at the coffee shop the next morning. If a story is in the news during the week, you can look forward to it being spoofed on Saturday night.

The show has suffered big losses in the past. But producer Lorne Michaels puts on some fresh tires and the show keeps rolling.

And as long as there are young comic actors waiting for an opportunity, the show will continue. The faces may change, but the entertainment level always stays the same. To do that for 47 years is saying a lot.

Follow Matt Buckler for more television, radio, and sports coverage on the JI's Twitter @journalinquirer, and see his articles on the Journal Inquirer Facebook page.