With the exception of a few soap operas and public affairs programs, no TV show has been on the air longer than NBC’s Saturday Night Live, which will embark on its 50th season Sept. 28. And as we approach the 76th Emmys, which will take place just a few weeks before that, it is the most celebrated show in the history of that event. Indeed, SNL holds the records for most Emmy nominations with 341 (Game of Thrones is second with 159) and wins with 89 (GoT is second with 59). And Lorne Michaels, its creator and overseer for all but five of its seasons, holds the record for most Emmy noms for an individual with 106 (Sheila Nevins is second with 77) and has racked up the second most wins for an individual with 21 (behind only Nevins’ 31).

Given that history, it may be hard to feel sorry for SNL and Michaels when it comes to the Emmys — but this year,...