The Story of Saturday Night Live: How a Late-Night Series Became a Cultural Icon
The hilarious Saturday Night Live (SNL) series has been on the air since 1975 and it has spawned several breakout stars, classic skits and hilarious segments. The legacy of SNL continues to entertain audiences with each new generation. If you're a fan of Saturday Night Live and wondering about those origins and where this wacky, improvisational sketch show all began, we are here to break down those first moments.
In 2024, the film "Saturday Night," a flick about the start of the show's premiere, hits screens with an interesting inside look at its early days. Directed by Jason Reitman, and a great cast that gives new life to some iconic cast members and crew members who made SNL possible. So get ready to hear about how SNL evolved into the show we know and love.
From “Not Ready” to a Television Giant
Remember 1975, it was a wild time for entertainment, and TV was ripe for a fresh face in the late-night world. The story goes that the mastermind behind SNL, Lorne Michaels, got the gig thanks to a savvy producer at NBC. But what SNL actually needed at that point in history, was something that didn't rely on reruns - especially when Johnny Carson wanted a few evenings off! A lot of talented young comedians were assembled, including Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and Chevy Chase.
The early days of SNL were way different from what it has become. Think variety shows and lots of live performance mixed in with a few sketches. "SNL" started out as "NBC's Saturday Night" because "Saturday Night Live" was already taken! Those comedic folks eventually formed their iconic troupe: the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players." They'd come to define the very early years of "SNL"
The Cast that Launched a Revolution
It's like a who's who of comedic royalty! The very first SNL episode included all the legends, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, and so many more - a truly star-studded group in the late 70s! If we talk about some of the biggest names to be part of the show, you could start listing them now: Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, and even Adam Sandler - some of those legendary funny folks! They’ve left an incredible mark on the show.
"SNL" gave a launchpad to the comedians and some memorable one-night-only personalities (a lot of those were big names from the time). But the real hero? It’s definitely those "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" they helped turn SNL into a show for the ages, setting the stage for all the brilliant actors who came later. The true heroes.
Weekend Update - Where Comedy Got Political
Think SNL, and you'll think "Weekend Update." It started on that very First Episode and it's continued for decades! This is where some of those hilarious political bits have been birthed and have shaped the course of how we see comedy! Remember Chevy Chase as that first anchor? He made those political commentary segments legendary!
Now, the segment’s taken on a whole new flavor as more than one anchor takes to that chair, and it just keeps evolving - so if you’re curious about the big trends that helped "SNL" last so long, “Weekend Update” is where you can go.
"SNL: A Film?" What We Know About Its Origins
"Saturday Night," that film that focuses on that first show doesn't simply show off all those funny characters! You'll actually get an in-depth look into the behind-the-scenes drama, the stories about what led to the success of "SNL," the ups and downs - how much effort it took to even get those first few shows in front of a large audience.
The film delves into that story and attempts to accurately portray what happened those first few months! And it looks like the movie gives an unexpected perspective - NBC might have been a little wary about whether "SNL" could become a lasting series or a total flop, so it might seem like those creators were truly fighting uphill, but in the end, they built something monumental that had everyone talking!
