As The SNL Movie’s Crew Promotes It With Llama Pics, Now Seems Like A Perfect Time To Tell The Story Behind That Visual Gag

As The SNL Movie’s Crew Promotes It With Llama Pics, Now Seems Like A Perfect Time To Tell The Story Behind That Visual Gag

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the upcoming events for SNL fans are nothing short of exhilarating! The anticipation for Season 50 and the biopic is at an all-time high, and as someone who’s spent countless hours watching the series, I couldn’t be more excited.


Enthusiasts of Saturday Night Live (SNL) have plenty to anticipate in the coming months. Not only will Season 50 debut on next year’s television lineup, but this iconic sketch comedy series is also set to receive its own biopic! Given the numerous films that have been made based on SNL characters, it’s high time that the NBC show receives a movie adaptation of its own. The team behind the production is thrilled about the opportunity to honor the series in this way. With the cast and crew sharing images of llamas as they promote the film, you might wonder why there are so many llama pictures around. The timing seems ideal to share the fascinating story behind the popular visual joke.

The movie we’re referring to is titled “Saturday Night,” which is a biographical drama that chronicles the significant events preceding the debut of SNL (Saturday Night Live), featuring popular cast and crew from the iconic series skillfully portrayed by stars such as Dylan O’Brien, Cooper Hoffman, Nicholas Braun, Finn Wolfhard, among others. Notably, “Juno” director Jason Reitman teamed up to co-write and direct this film, while his father Ivan Reitman collaborated with the original SNL cast members in the past.

As a huge fan, I couldn’t help but join in the recent celebration of the film with llama picks. However, I can’t wait until October for its premiere to grasp the deep-rooted connection. Therefore, it seems like the perfect moment for me to delve into the long-standing visual spectacle that is SNL‘s iconic skits.

The Origin Story Behind SNL’s Backstage Llama

Peering into SNL’s history from the perspective of backstage, I’ve discovered some truly bizarre elements. To give you an idea, SNL’s mastermind of sets and spaces, Eugene Lee, revealed to Vanity Fair the extraordinary findings one might stumble upon when a camera ventures behind the curtain:

It’s possible you may not have observed this before, but when it comes to filming scenes in our studio’s hallway, we often step outside instead. Interestingly, more than 99% of the time, you’ll find elements like Abe Lincoln, a chorus girl reminiscent of Radio City Music Hall, and even a llama as part of the backdrop. This has been a consistent aspect for us during these shoots.

In the early days of Saturday Night Live (SNL) during the ’80s and ’90s, spotting a wooly mammal might have seemed like a stretch to most viewers, except perhaps in Eric Idle’s episodes from 1979 and 1980. However, if you consider yourself a dedicated SNL fan, you can thank long-time cast member Seth Meyers for keeping the llama joke alive ever since he joined as a writer on the series in 2001. The llama really came into its own during Season 38 with hosts like Martin Short and Kristen Wiig, who often took us behind the scenes. To my delight, it was impossible to miss that charming creature!

As a longtime fan of Saturday Night Live, I can confidently say that witnessing a llama backstage was a moment that truly took my breath away. Having grown up watching the show and admiring its unique humor, this unexpected encounter felt like a surreal dream come true. The only time I recall seeing a llama on the show was when Kevin Hart hosted Season 43, where the llama stood in for a camel in the “Nativity Play” sketch. It’s fascinating to know that they actually had one backstage, and even though the visual gag remains ongoing, it’s intriguing to think about what went through Eugene Lee’s mind when he was tasked with incorporating such an unusual animal into the show. I can only imagine the creative process that led to this hilarious moment in Saturday Night Live history.

We’ve lost track of the reasoning behind our actions now. Whenever we receive a scene setup in the corridor, we contact the props team and request a llama to be brought in. Occasionally, the delivered llama isn’t the right shade, so we return it and ask for another one.

From now on, it’s clear that a llama plays a significant role as the mascot for the SNL team. In the days ahead, we should pay extra attention to what’s happening backstage to catch if the llama is taking some rest in those areas.

Saturday Night Promotes New Movie With Some Llama Photos

Now that we understand where SNL’s llama tale originated, it’s clear how important this animal is on the show’s set. Since an SNL biopic is on the horizon, why not celebrate with some adorable llama pictures? As a matter of fact, one of the movie’s cast members, Andrew Barth Feldman, shared a sweet Instagram photo featuring him interacting with the famous llama – take a look below!

A post shared by Andrew Barth Feldman (@andrewbfeldman_)

A photo posted by on

As a long-time fan of both animals and movies, I must say that the recent behind-the-scenes snapshots from the set of “No Hard Feelings” featuring a calm and adorable llama are absolutely thrilling! Growing up on a farm, I’ve always had a soft spot for these gentle creatures, so getting to see one in an upcoming film is truly exciting. The fact that this particular llama will actually make an appearance in the movie just adds another layer of anticipation to my already eager expectations. Kudos to the talented actor and his ability to handle such a unique co-star – I can’t wait to witness their on-screen bond! Finn Wolfhard’s latest social media post further fuels my enthusiasm, showcasing the llama’s readiness for its closeup. Here’s hoping that this furry friend steals the show and leaves us with a memorable movie experience!

A post shared by Finn Wolfhard (@finnwolfhardofficial)

A photo posted by on

With so many comments asking for this dear llama’s name, it proves the precious animal is getting folks excited about the movie. Just like Pixar has the desk lamp and MGM has the lion as mascots, clearly, the llama is the unlikely furry mascot the sketch comedy series needs. 

In this Instagram post from Saturday Night Live, both the cast and the llama seem poised for their big moment on screen.

A post shared by Saturday Night (@satnightmovie)

A photo posted by on

In simpler terms, Jason Reitman’s post didn’t just advertise the llama’s charm for his upcoming 2024 project, it seems that after the movie comes out, this adorable llama might even necessitate its own Instagram account due to its star power!

Saturday Night’s promotion has been a series of llama photos to represent the visual backstage running gag that Seth Meyers helped keep going, and we love it! Now, I can’t wait for the upcoming movie to show us the llama, and possibly its origins, when it hits theaters on October 11. Also, while we’re on the topic of the legendary sketch comedy series, make sure to add Season 50 to your list of things to watch as it premieres on NBC on September 28. Who knows, maybe we’ll see a llama in the hallway?

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2024-08-07 15:07