Quick Answer
The New York Times crossword clue “Sketch comedy show since ’75” is answered with SNL.
-
Answer: SNL
-
Length: 3 letters
-
Clue number and direction: 3 Down
In the grid, it appears as a three‑letter vertical entry for 3 Down: S N L.
Why “SNL” Is the Right NYT Answer
“Sketch comedy show since ’75” clearly points to Saturday Night Live, the long‑running American TV show that debuted in 1975. The widely used abbreviation for this show is SNL, which is exactly three letters.
The clue is a straight definition: no wordplay, just a time marker (“since ’75”) plus the show type (“sketch comedy show”), both of which uniquely identify SNL. With a 3‑letter slot for 3 Down, SNL is the only natural, on‑the‑nose fill.
What “SNL” Means in Plain English
In plain English, SNL stands for Saturday Night Live, a weekly late‑night sketch comedy and variety show. It features live sketches, recurring characters, celebrity hosts, and musical performances.
For crossword solvers, you just need to remember that when a clue mentions a sketch show “since ’75,” “late‑night sketch show,” or “Lorne Michaels creation,” the answer is almost always SNL.
How “SNL” Fits the Grid and Crossings
For 3 Down, the entry length is 3 letters, so the starting pattern is:
-
Pattern before solving:
_ _ _ -
Final fill:
S N L
Because it’s a Down clue intersecting early Across entries, you may see patterns like S _ L or _ N L from crossings. Once you think of Saturday Night Live, the abbreviation SNL drops neatly into place.
Short, ultra‑common TV abbreviations like SNL are classic “glue” fill in crosswords, so if your crossings seem to demand S‑N‑L, you can be very confident in the answer.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
Keep these ideas in mind for TV‑ and pop‑culture‑style clues:
-
Look for debut years: “since ’75,” “since ’76,” etc., often point to long‑running institutions, and ’75 + sketch show is a direct SNL signal.
-
Spot genre keywords: “Sketch comedy,” “late‑night show,” or “NBC staple” frequently clue SNL.
-
Think abbreviations: TV show titles are often shortened in puzzles (SNL, SNL, SCTV, etc.), especially when the grid length is only 2–4 letters.
-
Use crossings quickly: Even one or two letters from Across entries (
SorN) can nudge you toward SNL faster than trying to read too much into the clue.
Possible Alternate Clues for “SNL”
You might see SNL clued in other puzzles as:
-
“Lorne Michaels creation”
-
“NBC weekend show”
-
“Live from New York, it’s ___!” grp.
-
“Long‑running late‑night comedy show”
All of these are just different ways to point to the same iconic series.
