Catch the real 'Saturday Night Live' as its 31st year kicks off

Mike Hughes

Gannett News Service

Tonight's Must-See: "Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC.

The world has become newly interested in the big, broad and unwieldy "Saturday Night Live."

Fictional versions of the show provide the backdrop for two new NBC series — Aaron Sorkin's great "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and Tina Fey's fairly good "30 Rock," which begins Oct. 11.

Alongside those fictional versions, the real "SNL" starts its 31st year. That's right, 31.

The opener is hosted by Dane Cook, who's been busy lately. On HBO, he's had a comedy special and a reality show. In theaters, he has one new movie, "Employee of the Month," and two more on the way. The Killers will be tonight's musical guests.

The show had grown to 16 sketch players, but the cast will trim down now. Fey and Rachel Dratch left for "30 Rock," and Horatio Sanz, Chris Parnell and Finesse Mitchell are also gone.

Seth Meyers will take Fey's spot on the "Weekend Update" desk alongside Amy Poehler. Meyers continues to be one of the three head writers. Andrew Steele also continues in that job, and Paula Pell takes Fey's head-writer spot.