At 11:30 pm on October 11th, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of “Saturday Night Live.”
As someone who has never been a die-hard “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) fan, I approached the press screening of “Saturday Night” with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. While I’ve caught a few clips, I’ve never managed to sit through an entire episode. Comedy, after all, is deeply personal – a point proven by the vastly different humor of shows like Monty Python, “Blackadder,” “Seinfeld,” and “Friends.” Yet, my experience working on live television shows in Ireland piqued my interest in seeing how SNL’s early days would be portrayed.
My initial concern was that the film would be a biased adaptation of someone’s memoir from SNL’s first season. Thankfully, director Jason Reitman and co-writer Gil Kenan took a more balanced approach, conducting interviews with the living cast and crew from that inaugural season to inform their screenplay. This dedication to authenticity paid off, resulting in a finished product that exceeded my expectations.
“Saturday Night” masterfully transports viewers to October 11, 1975 – the evening of SNL’s premiere. The film captures the palpable tension as producer Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) and his relatively unknown cast scramble to finalize the live sketch comedy show. Meanwhile, NBC executive Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman) closely monitors the production, keeping his boss, David Tebet (Willem Dafoe), abreast of developments. As the 11:30 pm airtime looms, Lorne must navigate the clash between his eager talent and the seasoned crew, all while racing against the clock.
The film excels at showcasing the unique challenges of live television. The cast is phenomenal, with some bearing an uncanny resemblance to the real-life SNL legends they portray. Dylan O’Brien, Matt Wood, and Cory Michael Smith are the spitting images of Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and Chevy Chase, respectively. Yet, their spot-on mannerisms, not just their looks, truly bring these characters to life. Other actors, like Ella Hunt (Gilda Radner), Lamorne Morris (Garrett Morris), and Kim Matula (Jane Curtin), may not be dead ringers for their counterparts, but they perfectly capture the essence and personality of the iconic SNL personalities.
While the trailer hinted at a hilarious romp, I found the film more nuanced. There are laugh-out-loud moments, but “Saturday Night” also explores the behind-the-scenes drama that shaped the show’s early days. Even those who, like me, are not hardcore SNL fans will find themselves drawn into the compelling story of a program that defied expectations and became a cultural phenomenon. With its insightful look at the infighting, creativity, and ultimate triumph of SNL’s first episode, “Saturday Night” is a captivating watch from start to finish.
Now available on Digital and on Blu-ray™ and DVD January 7th, 2025
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