‘SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night’ Review: Peacock’s Fluffy Docuseries Is a Self-Congratulatory but Well-Earned Victory Lap

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To start off with Peacock’s latest documentary about NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Joe Piscopo, a former cast member, characterizes it as “the most significant show and the greatest event in television history.” Although some might argue this statement leans towards hyperbole, it is hard to dispute the series’ enduring cultural influence. And on such a celebratory occasion for its 50th birthday, one could hardly find fault with praising the program, regardless of whether the “someone” being praised is actually a TV show.

In SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, I found myself immersed in an ego-boosting, self-praising atmosphere that felt somewhat justified, yet still left me feeling like I was watching a well-crafted tribute rather than an unfiltered account of the behind-the-scenes action. As promised in promotional materials, there was access beyond the norm, but this documentary didn’t delve deep into the warts and all aspects; instead, it felt more like a shiny ode to a revered institution. However, it was a delightful watch, mainly due to its genuine passion for the subject matter and the multitude of charismatic A-listers who graced our screens with their heartfelt tributes.

Produced by Morgan Neville (known for “Piece by Piece”), the special SNL50 is more like a collection of four separate documentaries rather than one continuous story. These documentaries increase in their focus on Saturday Night Live, starting with a heartwarming exploration of the casting process and concluding with a detailed examination of the challenging 1985-1986 season, which was notorious for its difficulties.

The initial hour is brimming with celebrities like Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, and Pete Davidson, but the abundance of familiar names and faces serves as a common thread throughout the entire production. Fans of mainstream American comedy from the past couple of decades should anticipate seeing several of their favorites make an appearance.

Given that this special, airing on a network affiliated with NBC, is essentially a celebration, it’s not unexpected to find that most of what they discuss is positive. If last year’s Saturday Night appeared overly respectful of the show’s history to offer a completely balanced perspective, then SNL50 takes this to another level with its rosy outlook. Although the docuseries acknowledges some missteps by its subject, it shows no intent to explore its role in comedy or question its impact on the industry. (It’s also worth noting that more troubling aspects of its past, such as the culture of impunity facilitating toxicity and abuse, are completely overlooked.)

There’s not much exciting rumor-mongering or inside scoops, and only minimal external perspectives providing critique or cultural background. Watching all four episodes in succession (all released on Jan. 16), you might start to sense a repetitive optimism that feels like a guided studio tour – or, from a more skeptical viewpoint, a corporate event where everyone is trying to outdo each other in expressing praise for the company.

Despite knowing that we’re only getting a glimpse, studio tours, holiday parties, and events like SNL50 can still be enjoyable. After all, sometimes, a peek is enough!

The most enjoyable parts of the entire project are found in the initial performance, skillfully directed by Robert Alexander. During this premiere, previous Saturday Night Live members revisit their own audition tapes, displaying emotional reactions such as shedding tears (Heidi Gardner), expressing discomfort (Bowen Yang), or initially declining to participate but eventually agreeing for a brief moment or two (Poehler).

During the first show, directed by Robert Alexander, we see the best parts of the entire project. In this initial performance, some Saturday Night Live alums watch their old audition tapes and react in different ways like crying (Heidi Gardner), showing discomfort (Bowen Yang), or at first refusing but then agreeing to participate for a short while (Poehler).

The most revealing parts occur during the second visit. As we delve into the 2023-2024 writers’ room in the days preceding the Ayo Edebiri episode, director Marshall Curry documents the demanding and enlightening procedure that transforms an ordinary sausage week after week. These episodes don’t provide any shocking new data, but it’s still fascinating to witness these behind-the-scenes details directly.

In the third installment, spearheaded by Neil Berkeley, we dive deeper into the world of SNL50, catering more towards viewers with a slightly geekier, less casual vibe. This particular piece spans 49 minutes, delving headfirst into the iconic “More Cowbell” sketch from 2000 – a choice that even Beth McCarthy-Miller, SNL’s director, admits was “absolutely bonkers.” Despite Christopher Walken’s refusal to discuss the topic, everyone else seems eager to share their thoughts, ranging from Will Ferrell and members of Blue Öyster Cult to a cowbell manufacturer. As a dedicated fan, I can’t wait to immerse myself in this fascinating exploration of one of SNL’s most memorable moments!

In this meticulous excavation, not even the slight crook in a certain lamp, as pointed out by design department head Leo Yoshimura, goes unnoticed. To most people, six minutes from a 25-year-old sketch might seem an excessive amount of focus. However, the genuine excitement it showcases is endearing nonetheless.

Nevertheless, it’s the seemingly self-reflective fourth chapter that most succinctly articulates the main theme of SNL50. As director Jason Zeldes delves deeply into the so-called “challenging year” where SNL‘s creator Lorne Michaels resumed his role as executive producer, assembled an entirely new cast, and subsequently produced a season that became infamous for its failures, he employs a framing device reminiscent of the Twilight Zone. This frame invites us to contemplate an alternate reality where SNL was canceled at that moment – a scenario that almost occurred, before manager Bernie Brillstein successfully convinced NBC to grant Michaels (who is only depicted here through clips from a 2005 interview) another opportunity.

The significance of that transformative year is often emphasized, as it helped elevate SNL from a regular TV show to an influential institution. No single cast or underperforming season could surpass this status, although not even the great Lorne Michaels himself could overshadow the impact of this period, as it’s also seen as the time when “Saturday Night Live” began to be identified with “Lorne Michaels”.

In the account given by Brillstein during his 2005 interview, he shares the introspective questions he pondered in the face of crisis: “Was there a purpose for its existence? Was the effort worthwhile? Was it merely a habit? Could it be that the time had come?

Looking back from our current perspective, those earlier queries are no longer relevant. The significance lies in its ability to endure and become a timeless piece of work worthy of recognition such as SNL50. However, the documentary series fails to delve into whether the same questions could be applicable today. Instead, it’s designed to celebrate five decades of global dominance rather than examining the world it has impacted or speculating about its future direction.

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2025-01-15 20:25