“Saturday Night Live” once defined the counterculture, mocking presidents and pushing the boundaries of good taste with its skits. Can today’s version survive a pressure campaign to remove what will likely be the season’s highest-rated guest host?

[lz_ndn video= 29811475]

NBC announced earlier this month that GOP front-runner Donald Trump would host the show’s Nov. 7 installment — a little more than a month after Hillary Clinton appeared on the late-night comedy show.

It made perfect sense. Trump is a natural before the cameras, has hosted previously (in 2004) and is the latest in a long line of “SNL” political guests. It helps that Trump has drawn massive ratings wherever he goes this year, including two presidential debates, not usually ratings juggernauts.

But several special interest groups want NBC to dump Trump, citing his comments on illegal immigration. Petitions from both MoveOn.org and Change.org are calling for his ouster, as is the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Some celebrities have taken up the cause, too, including John Leguizamo (“Chef”) and comedienne Margaret Cho.

“We are appalled that you would enable Trump’s hateful speech for nothing (more) than a ratings ploy,” the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda wrote in a letter to “SNL” founder and executive producer Lorne Michaels and his NBC bosses.

NBC cut its ties with Trump-based properties, including the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants following his inelegant remarks on immigration.

The assembled protesters’ rallying cry? The hashtag #RacismIsntFunny.

“SNL” is no stranger to controversy. In 1990, regular player Nora Dunn refused to appear on the program when Andrew “Dice” Clay was its host, citing the comic’s misogynist comic persona.

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

Two years later, singer Sinead O’Connor ripped to shreds a picture of Pope John Paul II on the program, sparking an immediate outcry.

An irony for NBC comes in its past dealings with Trump. The mogul-turned-politician previously hosted “The Apprentice” for the Peacock network. More recently, NBC cut its ties with Trump-based properties, including the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants following his inelegant remarks on immigration.