As American institutions go, Saturday Night Live is kind of like Harvard: singular in name-brand recognition, mythologized to death, and coveted by an unending stream of hungry young people looking to score a big break. It’s a launchpad for comedic stars, sure, but it’s also a destination of its own. For a young performer, getting past the pearly gates of SNL — no matter what happens next — signals an arrival of the highest order. Or does it?