Behind the Scenes of ‘Saturday Night’: The Chaotic Birth of ‘SNL’

The new film ‘Saturday Night,’ directed by Jason Reitman and written by Reitman and Gil Kenan, offers a gripping dramatization of the tumultuous hours leading up to the first broadcast of ‘Saturday Night Live’ on October 11, 1975. The movie delves into the lives of the rebellious group of writers and performers who defied odds to create a comedy institution that has endured for half a century on NBC.

The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, and Matt Wood as John Belushi. It also highlights lesser-known figures such as writer Rosie Shuster, played by Rachel Sennott, and NBC late-night executive Dick Ebersol, portrayed by Cooper Hoffman. The movie captures the chaotic and often hilarious behind-the-scenes moments, including an X-rated cameo by Milton Berle and a plot by NBC executives to preempt the premiere with a rerun of ‘The Tonight Show‘.

The production faced numerous challenges, from a set catching fire due to heavy film lights to a sound system in disarray. The crew was in open revolt, and the cast members were physically clashing with each other. Despite these hurdles, Lorne Michaels’ determination and belief in his team rallied them to come together for the historic broadcast. The film also explores the complex personal relationships among the cast and crew, including the unconventional marriage between Michaels and Rosie Shuster.

‘Saturday Night’ has received an R-rating due to its explicit content, including over 70 uses of profanity, brief graphic nudity, and sexual references. This contrasts with the live nature of ‘SNL,’ which has occasionally slipped in profanity but generally avoids nudity. The movie’s depiction of the show’s early days is marked by its crass humor and the writers’ attempts to push the boundaries of what was acceptable on television.

The film’s accuracy is rooted in extensive research, including interviews conducted over Zoom in 2020 with many of the individuals present on the night of the first ‘SNL’ broadcast. Lorne Michaels himself gave the project his blessing, and the filmmakers worked diligently to recreate the authentic atmosphere of that pivotal night.