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The Saturday Night movie, now streaming on Netflix, is a biographical drama that takes a closer look at the origins of the iconic sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan, the film explores the true story of the show's premiere on October 11, 1975.
The movie portrays the behind-the-scenes chaos, the actors' early performances, and the creation of one of television’s most influential comedy institutions.
The film, pre-recorded in Atlanta, features a star-studded ensemble cast portraying the SNL legends, including Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, and Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, among others.
The plot revolves around the chaotic preparation for the premiere episode of Saturday Night Live, highlighting the tension, personalities, and obstacles faced by the cast and crew in the run-up to the live broadcast.
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What is the Saturday Night movie based on? Details explored
Saturday Night movie is based on real events, specifically the premiere of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975. The movie recounts the creation and dramatic buildup to the live broadcast that would change television comedy forever.
The film includes real-life figures such as Lorne Michaels (played by Gabriel LaBelle), the mastermind behind SNL, and many of the original cast members. The story is an attempt to depict how the first show came together, from the excitement to the challenges that accompanied its live broadcast.
Key moments in the film are true to the historical record. The first episode of SNL indeed featured George Carlin as the host, along with musical performances by Billy Preston and Janis Ian.
The show also included appearances by iconic cast members such as Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, and Gilda Radner.
The sketches on the premiere included memorable bits like Henson’s The Land of Gorch with his muppets and the first appearance of The Bees. These elements, drawn directly from the premiere episode, reflect the show's roots and its deep influence on the comedy landscape.
How accurate is the Saturday Night movie to the real Saturday Night Live Premiere?
While the Saturday Night movie stays true to many aspects of the first SNL episode, it does take significant liberties with the portrayal of events. Some of the characters, events, and interactions are exaggerated or invented for dramatic purposes.
For instance, the depiction of NBC executive David Tebet (played by Willem Dafoe) threatening to pull the show at the last minute is not historically accurate.
In reality, Tebet was reportedly very supportive of SNL, with his only quibble being his insistence that host George Carlin wear a suit, which was resolved with Carlin wearing a suit but without a tie.
Other elements of the film, while based on real people and situations, are dramatized for effect. One such example is the inclusion of Milton Berle (played by J.K. Simmons), a TV star from the Golden Age who is shown causing a confrontation on set.
The real Berle was not present during the premiere and did not get into a fight with Chevy Chase, although there was an infamous incident in which Berle allegedly exposed himself to SNL writer Alan Zweibel. This, however, was not part of the premiere itself and is another example of the filmmakers taking creative liberties to amplify the drama.
The movie also highlights tensions among the cast members and the frantic efforts to get everything ready for the live broadcast. While some of this behind-the-scenes drama may be exaggerated, there are true elements that mirror the challenges the cast faced, such as the dress rehearsal running too long and the pressure to make everything work perfectly for the live audience.
Other details of the movie explored
There are plenty of true, albeit more minor, details in the movie that add to the authenticity of the film. For instance, John Belushi’s reluctance to sign his contract until the very last minute is well-documented, and the story of Billy Crystal being scheduled to perform stand-up comedy but getting cut at the last minute is also true.
These tidbits are fun nods to the real history of the show, providing a more grounded sense of the chaos surrounding the show's creation.
However, not everything in the movie follows the exact timeline or sequence of events. For instance, the set designers Eugene Lee and Leo Yoshimu are shown laying bricks just before the live show, which adds to the sense of last-minute chaos. In reality, these activities took place during the dress rehearsal, not the live broadcast.
For the unversed, viewers can watch Saturday Night on Netflix.
