SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Over the past four decades it’s gone from must-watch to “That’s still on?” back to must-watch again. Viewers of NBC’s longrunning late-night comedy fest are up by 22 percent, the show’s strongest performance in 22 years.

THEN

The original Not Ready for Prime Time Players in 1975 included Laraine Newman, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris and Chevy Chase. First season $750/show ($3,396 today) Second season $2,000/show ($8,563 today) Fourth season $4,000/show ($14,945 today)

NOW

The 2015–16 cast included Sasheer Zamata, Kyle Mooney, Aidy Bryant, Taran Killam, Kenan Thompson, Kate McKinnon, Colin Jost, Cecily Strong, Jay Pharoah, Bobby Moynihan, Pete Davidson, Leslie Jones, Michael Che, Vanessa Bayer and Beck Bennett. Estimates say that cast members made up to $24,000/show (salaries vary among cast based on seniority).

S.E. HINTON Writer (1967) $1,000 advance for The Outsiders ($7,294 today)

WOLFMAN JACK KDAY Los Angeles disc jockey (1972) $18,000 ($104,901 today)

MIGUEL CABRERA Detroit Tigers first baseman $28 million

JAMES PATTERSON Writer $95 million

ELLEN DEGENERES Actress/TV host $75 million

$1,400 What Alec Baldwin is paid every time he appears on SNL to impersonate President Donald Trump.