As a die-hard SNL fan and someone who has followed the show since its inception, I must say that the biopic Saturday Night is a dream come true. To not only play Lorne Michaels but also get a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes action during a live taping was an experience I could only have dreamt of.
The biographical film “Saturday Night” from SNL recounts the 90-minute period prior to the launch of one of comedy’s greatest sketch series. Heading its expansive cast is Gabriel LaBelle, portraying Lorne Michaels, creator and producer of SNL. In a recent interview, the actor shares insights about embodying this iconic figure, his successful acquisition of tickets for the actual show taping, and his experiences encountering the man he played.
It’s fascinating that Saturday Night is a movie based on a TV show that continues to air, with Lorne Michaels still at the helm. This means that the opportunity to attend a live taping, especially when you are portraying characters who work or have worked there, feels surreal. Gabriel LaBelle shared this experience during an interview with Indiewire, revealing that they were able to witness an episode being filmed while working on their project. He described it as mind-blowing.
For our initial two days of filming, we headed to New York City specifically to capture scenes outside of 30 Rock. Lorne Michaels was incredibly gracious and allowed us to watch the Josh Brolin episode live on set. A few of us who reside in New York, along with those who were there solely for filming purposes, had the opportunity to attend. It was an unforgettable experience.
It’s likely that experiencing the Emmy-winning series live in New York must have been absolutely thrilling. Even though the movie recreated Studio 8H and simulated the initial broadcast events, I can only imagine that seeing the genuine performance would be an entirely unique experience.
As a gamer, let me share that I not only had the luck to witness Josh Brolin host SNL and Ariana Grande grace the stage as musical guest, but what truly made my night was the opportunity to meet some influential figures post-show. Among them was none other than Lorne Michaels himself! Truly a memorable moment.
In a remarkable turn of events, Lorne was present at the event, and I had a fleeting chat with him following the performance. Our exchange was minimal, but Jason Reitman, our producer Peter Rice, and Scarlett Johansson – who graced the stage for the cold open – were all in attendance too. [Laughs] I stepped back to allow them to converse freely, as I didn’t feel the need to add much to the discussion myself.
As a gamer, I can completely relate. If I found myself in his position, I’d be just as amazed watching A-listers casually chat among themselves too!
Given that we’ve established LaBelle witnessed Michaels at work, I’m curious if the boss of Saturday Night Live has caught The Fablemans yet. While Jason Reitman’s actor hasn’t a clue if Lorne Michaels has watched Saturday Night Live, it was confirmed last month by Jason Reitman himself that Michaels still hasn’t seen it. Should he eventually watch it, I’d be keen to hear his thoughts, similar to the way the actor portraying him felt after attending an episode of the sketch series.
To this point, critics have been praising the ensemble cast in Saturday Night for effectively portraying the actual creators and cast members of the show. Notably, Gregory Ellwood from The Playlist singled out Gabriel LaBelle, stating that he delivered a “masterful” performance that carries the movie.
Apart from finding it thrilling to star as the main character in a film detailing the beginnings of Saturday Night Live (SNL), an added bonus is receiving complimentary passes to witness a live recording of this famous sketch comedy series and encounter its executive producer. I can only imagine that being present during the filming of SNL at Studio 8H would have provided the cast with significant inspiration and a link to entertainment’s rich history.
To watch Gabriel LaBelle portray Lorne Michaels, mark your calendars for October 11, 2024, when the movie will be released in theaters.
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2024-10-05 04:37