Q: How many live episodes of "SNL" have aired to date?

A: 517 live episodes (as of the February 2, 2002 live episode).

Q: How many times has "SNL" aired on NBC (including reruns, specials, ect.)?

A: 1,235 broadcasts (as of the February 2, 2002 live episode).

Q: Who owns the rights to "Saturday Night Live"?

A: Different companies own different components of "SNL."

The "SNL" name, trademark, and certain characters are the sole property of NBC. NBC also holds the copyright to every "SNL" episode ever produced.

When "SNL" first was released to syndication, the original incarnation (1975-1980) was acquired by Filmways, which became Orion Pictures and later part of MGM, so the syndication rights to these shows currently lie with MGM. The remaining shows (from 1980 to the present) are controlled by Lorne Michaels' production company, Broadway Video.

The home video rights were originally held by Warner Home Video (which released few of the original 1975-1980 shows and some compilations taken from those shows), then in the early 1990s Starmaker Entertainment acquired the video rights and released even more compilations (although Paramount Home Video released a "Best Of Eddie Murphy" compilation in the late '80s as Murphy was under contract with Paramount). In 1999, the video rights were bought by Trimark Pictures, and as of this writing have released videos from the '90s compilations.

Q: How big is Studio 8-H?

A:6,339 square-feet. NBC's most famous television studio, and the one that seems most unlikely to be found in a midtown Manhattan office building, is 8-H, "Saturday Night Live's" home for almost a quarter of a century. The 8-H studio was built to accommodate NBC Symphony radio broadcasts conducted by Arturo Toscanini. Toscanini's original podium now resides in the 8-H announcer's booth.

Q: What was the highest rating/share ever for a live episode?

A: 16.0 / 47 (October 13, 1979). Steve Martin / Blondie.

Q: What was the lowest rating/share ever for a live episode?

A: 4.2 / 16 (November 8, 1975). Candice Bergen / Esther Phillips.

Q: How many times has the show been broadcast on a seven-second delay?

A: Two times: December 13, 1975 (Host: Richard Pryor) and May 12, 1990 (Host: Andrew Dice Clay).

Q: How many episodes of the show were not named "Saturday Night Live"?

A: 41 episodes. The show was originally known as "NBC's Saturday Night," then just as "Saturday Night," before the March 26, 1977 episode.

Q: How many times has the show been performed outside of New York?

A: One episode (February 20, 1977, in New Orleans).

Q: How many times has the show been performed in Brooklyn?

A: Three episodes (October 16, October 23, and October 30 1976, when the NBC election unit took over Studio 8H).

Q: How can I get tickets to the show?

A: Requests for "Saturday Night Live" tickets are accepted by postcard only, and only during the month of August (one postcard per person). Tickets are awarded by a lottery system throughout the season, and winners are notified one to two weeks in advance of the show. They receive two tickets to either the live show or the dress rehearsal -- you do not get a choice as to which one you will see. Write NBC Tickets, Saturday Night Live, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10112.

Standby tickets offer another opportunity to attend the show, though they do not guarantee admission. They are distributed for both the dress rehearsal and the live show on the morning of the show at 7:00 a.m. at the 49th Street entrance to 30 Rockefeller Plaza. One standby ticket is issued per person.

A taped message describes the ticket procedure for this and other NBC shows in detail; the number is (212) 664-4000.

Q: Where can I write for cast members' autographs?

A: Write to your favorite cast members at NBC: Saturday Night Live, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112.

Q: How can I become a cast member on the show?

A: "SNL" does not hold open auditions or accept audition tapes. Unfortunately, you can't go to them; they have to find you. Most of their performers are culled from the comedy groups The Groundlings and Second City, in Los Angeles and Chicago, respectively. If they see a performance and are impressed with a particular performer, they invite the person for an "SNL" audition.

Q: How can I apply for an internship at the show?

A: For an internship at NBC or "SNL," rite to: Employee Relations, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Rm. 1678, New York, NY 10112.

Q: Where can I submit my great sketch idea?

A: NBC and "SNL" have a strict policy of not accepting unsolicited scripts, script ideas, or drafts of sketches. Many people have submitted sketches; all have gotten them back untouched with a letter of apology from NBC. One man even made a Web page about his experience trying to send "SNL" a sketch he had written. Check it out HERE.

Q: How can I obtain a videotape of a specific "SNL" episode?

A: Unfortunately, NBC and "Saturday Night Live" are unable to provide tapes of individual "SNL" broadcasts. You'll have to check out cable's Comedy Central and/or NBC's late night schedule and wait for a rebroadcast. Certain compilation videos are available are in my "SNL" Store.

Q: When did "SNL" go from 60 minutes to 90 minutes?

A: Never. "Saturday Night Live," as seen on NBC, has always been a 90 minute program. Comedy Central shows edited 60 minute versions of "SNL" episodes from 1980 through 1998 and occasionally airs a 30 minute version (known as "The Best of Saturday Night") from the 1975 through 1980 seasons.

Q: How many regular "Weekend Update" anchors have there been?

A: 17: Chevy Chase (1975-76), Jane Curtin (1976-80), Dan Aykroyd (1977-78), Bill Murray (1978-80), Charles Rocket (1980-81), Gail Matthius (1981), Brian Doyle-Murray (1981-82), Mary Gross (1981-82), Christine Ebersole (1982), Brad Hall (1982-84), Christopher Guest (1984-85), Dennis Miller (1985-91), Kevin Nealon (1991-94), Norm Macdonald (1994-1997), Colin Quinn (1998-2000), Jimmy Fallon (2000-present), and Tina Fey (2000-present).

Q: How many animated short film series have appeared on "SNL"?

A: Five: "Mr. Bill" (1976-81), "Tippy Turtle" (1984-85), "Office Space/Milton" (1993-95), "TV Funhouse" (1996-present), and "Maakies" (1998).

Q: How many puppet-driven recurring sketches have appeared on "SNL"?

A: Three: "Jim Henson's Muppets" (1975-76), "Toonces: The Cat Who Could Drive a Car" (1988-93), and "The GoLords" (1997-98).

Q: How many movies have featured characters that originally appeared on "SNL"?

A: 17: "Mr. Mike's Mondo Video" (1979), The Blues Brothers" (1980), "Gilda Live" (1980), "Wayne's World" (1992), "Mo' Money" (1992), "Bob Roberts" (1992), "Mr. Saturday Night" (1992), "Coneheads" (1993), "Wayne's World 2" (1993), "It's Pat" (1994), "Casper" (1995), "Stuart Saves His Family" (1995), "Blues Brothers 2000" (1998), "A Night at the Roxbury" (1998), "Office Space" (1999), "Superstar" (1999), and "The Ladies Man" (2000).