I've seen almost every episode of SNL from about 1984 to the present. When I missed it (and I missed a lot from 93-00), I always had it recorded.
It started out when I was young, my dad got rid of cable right around then, so at 9, 10, 11 years old, it was something my brother and I got to stay up late and watch with my mother on the weekends. It then became tradition for me in later years, even through some really terrible years. But really because of the best era in the history of the show circa 88-91, when I was a teenager, it would become force of habit and ritual more than anything. I will even watch it fully expecting to dislike 80% of it. I just have to watch it, almost all the time, although I will fastforward past obvious lameness.
The joke has always been - "SNL was better five years ago" and Loren Michaels even says that people said that in SNL's second year. People almost reflexively say that, especially those that claim to barely watch. Yes, the show has taken a dip but the show over the last decade was better than in the 94-98 period, I assure you. Even with Will Ferrell in the cast, because he was surrounded by, IMO, a bunch of crap. Chris Kataan?
Meanwhile the relatively current cast has had Wiig (best female ever on SNL), Hader, Sudeikis and Samberg, and also Armisen. Not to mention the rest of the best (outside of Radner and Hooks) females the show has ever had. Rudolph, Poheler, Tina Fey, etc. They've had some really good cast members. I think the writing has just SUCKED lately because Lorne holds on to those longtime writers for so long. And by lately, I am talking about a solid decade (since Will left), barring some good stuff every once in a blue moon.
So yes, it is accurate to say SNL has sucked for a long while. But I think it's also slightly unfair because there has been some real talent on that show over that same period. So to just dismiss it all, to me, is not really giving it a totally fair shake.
All that said, I wouldn't blame anyone for not watching it. I don't think you're really missing anything. Especially with all those strong cast members gone. Me? I'll watch it because it's almost like religion at this point. Almost 30 years...wow.