‘Saturday Night’ Gives Us a Glimpse of 90 Chaotic Minutes Before SNL’s First Broadcast

Saturday Night

★ ★ ★ ★

‘Saturday Night’ gives us a fly-on-the-wall perspective of what happened 90 minutes before the very first episode of Saturday Night Live broadcast to millions of television viewers in 1975. It’s a moment in television history that almost never happened – a rerun of the Tonight Show and a movie ready were ready to roll as back-up plans.

Here, we get a look at SNL creator Lorne Michaels (Garbriel LaBelle) at 30 Rockefeller Plaza as he tries to wrangle the egos of unproven talent, stage and technical issues, three hours of sketches that need to fit into 90 minutes and anything else you could imagine going wrong. Michaels quickly learns that the show is already on the chopping block and is being used as a bargaining chip to convince Johnny Carson to allow the network to use reruns of his show to fill this empty time slot.

The Saturday Night Live cast argues in the studio hallway
© 2024 Sony Pictures

LaBelle’s interpretation of Lorne Michaels portrays a showrunner who cares about his vision, a daring groundbreaker who sincerely cares about the production and cast. As we follow him through the harrowing journey to 11:30 p.m. live broadcast, we feel every heartbreaking setback and celebrate every inch of ground he gains as he fights to keep this train on the tracks.

Saturday Night has an impressive supporting cast, bringing to life the young versions of many stars-to-be who were birthed on the show. Most notable is Matthew Rhys as George Carlin, who expertly embodied the comedic icon. Cory Michael Smith is convincing as Chevy Chase, as is Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Lamorne Morris as Gerrett Morris and Matt Wood as John Belushi. Kim Matula plays Jane Curtain convincingly as does Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner and Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman.

Nicholas Braun as Andy Kaufman
© 2024 Sony Pictures

You’d swear it was actually Andy Kaufman performing his famous Mighty Mouse bit. In actuality, it’s Nicholas Braun who captures Kaufman’s mannerisms perfectly.

Director Jason Reitman wisely lets the story tell itself, allowing us to follow Lorne Michaels through his 90-minutes-to-airtime journey that increasingly feels insurmountable. Reitman clearly trusts the cast, allowing them to be the characters in the story, creating a chemistry that mimics that of the actual television show.

Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase
© 2024 Sony Pictures

This is a drama with natural comedic moments that fall into place given the egregious circumstances and the larger-than-life personalities who add to the chaos, serving their own interests. But the film does not ignore the high points that eventually lead to the show’s inevitable airing. It’s because of the muck Michaels slogs through that makes these highlights all the more dramatically poignant.

Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) tries to motivate John Belushi (Matt Wood
© 2024 Sony Pictures

I’m certain that several dramatic liberties were taken and certain events exaggerated to keep the film interesting. I really enjoyed the ride as the film reminded me of the many careers – spanning across decades – that Saturday Night Live launched.

Moments before the first Saturday Night Live is broadcast
© 2024 Sony Pictures

After my Saturday evening viewing of the film, I came home and watched the first Saturday Night Live episode with a different perspective and a new appreciation for what almost never was.

Saturday Night is about a dream on the verge of success or catastrophic collapse. It’s a journey I will remember when I need my own little bit of inspiration.

Comedy, Drama