The Real Stories that Inspired Saturday Night, the Movie About the First SNL Episode
As someone who has spent countless hours watching and dissecting Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketches over the years, I must say that the behind-the-scenes stories of this iconic show are as entertaining as its on-stage performances. The tale of George Carlin’s rebellious spirit, refusing to conform to NBC’s suit-and-tie dress code, is a testament to the unconventional nature of the comedians who graced the SNL stage.
On October 11, the movie titled “Saturday Night” – a hilarious portrayal of the turbulent 90 minutes before the debut of Saturday Night Live in 1975, will be screened across the country. This film release is timed to honor the air date of the first episode of the comedy series on October 11, 1975, and it’s also coinciding with the show’s 50th season, which started on September 28.
In the same manner that the social upheavals of the 1960s drastically changed every facet of American society, live comedy shows spearheaded a television revolution during the 1970s. However, Saturday Night Live isn’t primarily about reenacting specific events; rather, it’s about evoking a certain sensation. As Jason Reitman, the show’s director, explains, “The aim is to make you feel what it feels like when you’re standing on the ground in 8H moments before, as if there’s no conceivable way the show will even air because everything is happening at the last possible moment.” This means that they are still setting up the sets, adjusting costumes and wigs right until the very end.
In making the movie, the filmmakers (who jointly scripted with Gil Kenan) spoke to a wide range of individuals present at the premiere, such as Lorne Michaels, creator of SNL, actors, writers, art department staff, and even former NBC pages. The film might focus more on embodying the essence of the night rather than accurately depicting specific events; however, some spectators may have questions regarding a llama, a fire, and an assertive censor. To clarify which aspects of the movie are based on fact or fiction, TIME consulted Reitman and James Andrew Miller, author of “Live from New York: The Complete Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests.
How did Saturday Night Live come to be?
In search of a fresh alternative to re-airings of Johnny Carson’s late-night television program, NBC was keen on the idea suggested by Carson himself (portrayed by Jeff Witzke in the movie), who wholeheartedly supported the experimental phase of Saturday Night Live (SNL).
Lorne Michaels, a Canadian TV writer, aimed to produce a series catering to the generation shaped by television, reflecting their style, music preferences, humor. Reitman likened SNL to a diverse home for performers and writers of all kinds. Notably, the initial cast was famously called “The Not Ready for Prime Time Players,” consisting of: Dan Aykroyd (portrayed by Dylan O’Brien), John Belushi (Matt Wood), Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), Jane Curtin (Kim Matula), Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), and Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn).
Taylor Gray (formerly known as Al Franken), one of the original Saturday Night Live writers, reminisced in “Live from New York”: “We put together an excellent proposal for Saturday Night Live – a collection of ideas for TV content, such as a comedy take on the news, spoof advertisements, and a few skits. Essentially, our submission landed us the job.
Saturday Night became Saturday Night Live in 1977.
Did Lorne Michaels really find an SNL writer at a bar?
Indeed, as portrayed in “Saturday Night,” Alan Zweibel (Josh Brener) was discovered at a bar, although this event didn’t occur on the same night as the initial show. In contrast to the film, Lorne Michaels frequented various nightclubs hunting for writers for “SNL.” As detailed in “Live from New York,” Michaels approached Zweibel at a bar and remarked, “You know, you’re the worst comedian I’ve ever seen in my life.” When Zweibel expressed his desire to have a wife and kids one day but feared they would starve if he didn’t secure a job soon, Michaels asked him to share his notes. They agreed to meet again for further discussion. After returning home to Long Island that night, Zweibel stayed awake for two straight days, typing up every witty joke he had ever thought of to present during his interview at the Plaza hotel.
Michael inquired about the amount of money required for living expenses, to which Zweibel responded that it would be ideal if they could provide him with the equivalent of $2.75 per hour he was earning at the deli. However, Zweibel added, “If even a single mime is part of the show, I’m walking away from it.” This is how I would paraphrase your sentence in an easy-to-understand and natural manner.
In the collection Zweibel provided, the initial humor piece he shared was the only one Michael read aloud. It was a jest about a new postage stamp honoring U.S. prostitution that costs a dime, but if the sender wishes to lick it, then it costs 25 cents instead. Chevy Chase delivered this joke during the first installment of Weekend Update.
Why didn’t John Belushi want to sign his contract?
In the film, Belushi kept postponing signing his contract until the last minute. Just before the performance began, Michaels spotted him gliding on the ice rink at Rockefeller Center. It’s indeed true that Belushi didn’t sign his contract until the day of the show (although it seems unlikely he went ice skating).
“Belushi went completely missing on that opening Saturday night,” says Reitman.
According to Miller, the actor held only contempt towards television, considering it an inferior form of art and filled with subpar content.
In discussing his interpretation of Belushi, Reitman shared, “What intrigued me most about Belushi was his vulnerability and the apprehension he felt about appearing live on TV – the impact it could have on his life and the way it might shape his identity from that moment forward.
Did the set really catch fire before the SNL premiere?
In an account that’s become part of Saturday Night Live (SNL) legend, there was no actual fire during any of the events leading up to the premiere. However, it is said that John Belushi once accidentally set Lorne Michaels’ mattress on fire. This incident allegedly occurred when Belushi’s fiancée Judith kicked him out of their house after an argument, and he went to stay with Michaels. While there, Belushi reportedly fell asleep while smoking a cigarette, causing the mattress to catch fire.
Indeed, during filming on the Saturday Night Live stage, Michael requested an abundance of lights. This very request is what triggers the fire in the movie, as Reitman describes. He wanted the show to have the visual appeal of a movie, so he continually added sets, camera cues, lighting, and other elements that hadn’t been utilized before.
Were sketches still being planned up to the last minute?
Indeed, the show exceeded the three-hour mark during the dress rehearsal prior to its premiere. In the film, Michael finds himself under intense scrutiny from NBC executives who seek clarification on what he plans to eliminate and, more fundamentally, the essence of the show itself. However, Michael remains elusive about his intentions. Miller explains this enigmatic behavior, stating, “There were numerous chaotic events unfolding, but Lorne may have also been reluctant to be pinned down. He didn’t want to disclose too much information. He desired to maintain as much creative freedom as possible.
How stoned was the host, George Carlin?
Matthew Rhys’ character, Carlin, was known for his extensive use of various substances throughout the years on Saturday Night Live. Miraculously, he managed to appear on stage in clothing despite this. On the night of the show, there was a disagreement about what he would wear – he preferred a t-shirt while NBC insisted on a suit. Due to some affiliates not fully committing to broadcasting the show, a compromise was reached where Carlin wore a suit and a t-shirt instead of a tie. As Michael recounts in Live From New York, this choice caused quite a stir, with him stating, “That was a much bigger distraction than can be fully appreciated at this moment.
Was Lorne Michaels supposed to host Weekend Update?
As a movie reviewer, let me share my thoughts: In this film, it became evident that the lead character found himself in a tricky situation during the dress rehearsal. He seemed to falter over his lines, appearing uncertain and disconnected from the script. However, the truth was far more complex. The actor was grappling with an internal conflict – whether to identify as one of the cast members or assume the producer’s role. Interestingly, he was roughly the same age as the rest of the cast. Director Reitman described this dilemma succinctly: “Was he going to be one of the kids or the Dad?
Instead of Chase, the part was given. Reitman remembers Dave Tebet (portrayed by Willem Dafoe), who managed talent for the network, instantly recognizing Chase as a star. “In Tebet’s view,” Reitman explains, “Chevy embodied the potential of Saturday Night Live.” That’s why Chase’s character in the movie comes across as overconfident. Herb Sargent (Tracy Letts), one of the early writers, recounts a more modest interaction just before the first broadcast, where Chase asked him, “What’s going to happen to me? Where am I going to go from here?” Sargent replied, “You’ll likely host a talk show.
Why is a llama backstage at SNL?
In the movie, the llama is meant to symbolize a longstanding running gag that dates back half a century. This joke was initiated by the showrunners at the outset, stating that whenever the cameras peeked behind the scenes, viewers would be treated to a live llama, a showgirl, and a man dressed as Abraham Lincoln. This quirky tradition has persisted throughout the years.
Who is the woman representing the NBC standards department?
In the movie, Catherine Curtin’s character is a mix of various women who worked diligently behind the scenes to ensure that NBC’s audience, primarily families, wouldn’t be exposed to explicit content. According to the film, there was indeed a woman at NBC who inquired about what a golden shower is. As Reitman explains, many people shared stories with him about attempting to sneak things into the script to see if she would catch them.
Were there really bricklayers on the set of the premiere?
Indeed, they arranged the bricks into the form of a baseball’s home plate, meant to symbolize a bustling street corner in NYC. From any vantage point across the nation, it would evoke a sensation as if one was transported to a grittier, more urban New York scene.
The image of people literally laying bricks is a metaphor for how groundbreaking the show was. Reitman says: “Lorne approached every part of making a television show as though it never had to be done that way, like laying brick, which is something that no one would ever do on a TV show.”
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2024-10-11 16:07