NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has been a staple of the entertainment industry since it debuted nearly 50 years ago. Created by Canadian comedy writer Lorne Michaels, the show continues to deliver laughter, spark controversy, and launch new talent. The film “Saturday Night,” directed by Jason Reitman, explores the chaotic 90 minutes leading up to the show’s first live episode on October 11, 1975.
Reitman describes the film as a portrayal of individuals attempting to revolutionize television in a short amount of time, reflecting the frenetic atmosphere behind the scenes. The movie captures the wild energy of that night, including mishaps and tensions among the cast.
To separate fact from fiction, USA TODAY connected with Reitman and stars Gabriel LaBelle, who portrays Michaels, and Cory Michael Smith, who plays Chevy Chase, to clarify some of the more outrageous moments depicted in the film.
One major scene in “Saturday Night” shows Chase and soon-to-be legend John Belushi on the verge of a physical fight before the show’s debut. While such tension existed, the fight did not actually occur that night. Smith explained that this fictionalization was meant to reflect the underlying tension, including a nod to a famous altercation between Chase and Bill Murray during a later hosting appearance.
Another dramatic moment involves a lighting rig crashing down on the cast. However, Reitman confirmed that while no such event happened, there was a story of a camera crane losing its brakes and causing chaos on set.
Belushi’s anxiety about signing his NBC contract is another plot point that holds true. Reitman described Belushi’s hesitation as stemming from his fear of fame and its consequences, despite his self-awareness regarding his talent.
The film also addresses whether Billy Crystal was part of the original cast. Crystal was indeed set to perform but left before the debut, only to return later as a successful member in subsequent seasons.
Reitman also confirmed that iconic late-night host Johnny Carson was not pleased with NBC’s decision to make “SNL” a competitor during the timeslot of “The Tonight Show.” Carson’s frustrations and demands were portrayed as part of the challenging relationship between him and Michaels.
Furthermore, while the film features a scene where Milton Berle reportedly exposes himself to Chase’s girlfriend, Reitman noted that although Berle was notorious for such antics, he was not present during the show’s first airing. The scene symbolizes the generational clash in comedy.
Finally, the film depicts Michaels handing the Weekend Update segment to Chase at the last minute. In reality, Michaels had initially planned to do it himself but ultimately decided to pass the responsibility to Chase, who was hired as a writer.
Overall, “Saturday Night” offers a blend of factual events and dramatization, capturing the spirit and challenges of launching a groundbreaking television show.