Saturday Night - Review

The early days of Saturday Night Live get a real-time movie treatment from director Jason Reitman.
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[@sway6718]

Dan's attempts at humor, before the review, are such a treasure.

[@TheIndianaGeoff]

Dan you ignorant slut. Sorry, had to do it.

[@neonswitchblade]

and by treasure, you mean costume jewelry.

[@sakaki_chrono]

0:24 "Hello. I'm Dan Murrel and you're not." got a good laugh out of me I must admit. 😂

[@ericsilva-gomez2481]

That was a good one

[@Joe-de2oc]

It’s a reference to Chevy chase on weekend update

[@joezagorski1507]

the musical cue did that for me 🤣

[@kamccomb16]

Can confirm, not an SNL guy and so much went over my head, not that much laughter in my theater of 10ish people

[@kamssun]

Same!! I thought there were too many characters and I realized they are all based on an actual person but in the context of the movie it felt overstuffed and hollow

[@TatendaZiyambi]

Love the "shrugging Dan" in his thumbnails, like he's basically saying "what am I supposed to feel?" 😂

[@Fl0k5ser]

I think it's the "It's okay, just go see it guys, whatever" 😂

[@Mojo_Jojo45]

Am I the only one who gets everything I need from those thumbnails and skip 95% of these reviews because of it?

[@TatendaZiyambi]

@@Mojo_Jojo45 Depends on the reviewer. Dan will sometimes throw a curve ball and the face in thumbnail might not necessary match the review tho

[@blackguyofthesouth2161]

Yes​@@Mojo_Jojo45

[@steve_santiago]

I would have loved it if Aaron Sorkin wrote this screenplay. Sounds like it would have been a match made in heaven.

[@jamesthesnake12]

Except I think he does “humor “ bad a la the sunset strip shoe

[@TheJakescott1515]

Shoulda done it like Steve Jobs over the course of three events/shows. Or even like bird man where it actually takes place over a longer period but feels like leading up to the show

[@thehalcyonflight]

Should’ve been an Aaron Sorkin style mini series

[@sergeymeshkov]

Already have his Saturday Night Live:)

[@joshualebowitz]

Studio 60 could have been so strong.

[@TVandManga]

This film would really confuse me as a British person who knows nothing about the SNL history and lore, lol.

[@GeekyMedia]

Exactly this. I’m a Brit, and I was under the impression I might be learning something about SNL and American TV culture - now I’m completely uninterested in this film, sadly.

[@suave-rider]

ditto in Australia, this film will only have a small release in Cinemas which will mostly be empty. No fucks given.

[@Jogwheel]

Excellent review. Had no idea you were a huge SNL-head, but that totally tracks with your vibe and sense of humor 🙂 Having not even seen this yet, I already suspected the real-time format would be its undoing for exactly the reasons you mentioned: crowding the timeline. Frustrating to see good ideas get sidelines by gimmicks.

[@MichaelWutsch]

Lazy Sunday is still one of my favorite skits of all time

[@tientrinh1577]

Hello I'm Dan Murrell and you're not! -- Brilliant joke!

[@thatderek]

I wonder how many people here will get that joke. You're showing your age, lol. 😂

[@arun279]

this should have been a mini series with the finale or penultimate episode being in real time before the first episode. with the context, interpersonal dynamics, major conflicts, stakes, established it would make the real time tension of putting on the first episode that much more interesting. it also gives enough space to flesh out all the characters

[@JurassicTrek]

I am constantly surprised by Dylan O’Brien. I didn’t think much of him until I saw Love and Monsters and thought, ‘He would’ve been a great Peter Parker.’ THEN I find out he WAS cast as Peter Parker but lost it last minute to Tom Holland. Anyway, he is fantastic

[@27Tulipa]

Loved the SNL style intro! Meshes well with your humour and the changes in edits

[@kellishere]

Hi! Frequent movie-watcher with little-to-no knowledge of the early days of SNL here! Coming to say I completely agree with your review Dan, the entire movie felt like a countdown to a product I have no emotional, or literal ties to, so the entire time I felt like I was watching a really long set up to a joke I never find out the punchline to. Love the cast, but since I don’t know much of all the OG players they were embodying, it felt like cameofest of “oh yes this actor is in the movie!” as opposed to any real context to who they were and what they had to contribute to the rich history that is of SNL. The constant problems and scenarios that kept popping up switched from a constant anxiety to boredom because at the end of the day, we all still know what SNL is. Overall, definitely came out of it feeling a little cold, but it was an interesting watch! And Nicholas Podany is a wonderful actor and person! He used to play Albus in the broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, where I used to work, and I’m so happy for his success, and great work in the film!

[@dlwseattle]

Theres not a single thing about this movie that looks appealing to me

[@HariOmRadhaKrishna]

I am excited to see SNL the Movie. Life-stuff happened this week, now our family's schedule is all screwed up this month. Hope to get to Megalopolis before it's gone, & then Wild Robot after, then SNL, by then Wicked will be out.

[@laartwork]

Right when I heard "real-time" I knew what could go wrong. Magnolia would be an example of what could have been. Way more time to breathe and get into the stories of multiple characters but then an intense build up.

[@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

Nicholas Braun playing Jim Henson in this frankly turned me off completely. I'm not saying the person playing Jim Henson has to be a boy scout, I'm saying he has to be someone who can actually embody playing Jim Henson.

[@juanpabloundagarcia2865]

Love the intro. You keep getting better and better Dan

[@CrappyCar]

I have some memories of the NRFPTP cast, and have caught the odd episode over the years. The only consistently quality segment recently is Weekend Update, never miss it. Thanks for the review Dan, Happy Friday!

[@yaninaperez-masud1303]

Thank you for all the reviews, I am so excited to be a member

[@1neOfN0ne]

Watching movie reviews is what first got me into KZbin and I'm subscribed to quite a few but over time, Dan is one of just a few whose opinion actually matters to me because time and time again we see eye to eye on things much more than I do with most others.

[@brandonedlin2052]

Most critics goon way too hard for any movie about entertainment.

[@theitalianalien8477]

As an Italian man with no real knowledge of SNL aside from occasional glimpses of its modern iteration... you convinced me to skip this movie. Thanks Dan

[@Fl0k5ser]

I'm still very excited and curious to see the movie. I'm a fan of movies that's about the behind the scene making of a movie or in this case, a TV show just to get me some appriciation for the artist who worked on some of the most successful entertainment ever. I'm hoping that it will atleast entertained me for the whole runtime and i love most of the cast too (nice to see Dylan O'Brien in a movie again aswell as Ella Hunt, who i've been looking out for her since her musical movie "Anna and The Apocalypse")

[@SnoopyKendall]

Let's effing go!!!! Awesome to be a member Dan!

[@teddennison344]

I lowkey love how they put Robert Wahl in this. He also had an important part in American Hot Wax, a 1971 flick that seems like the exact same move as this, but set at a legendary Cleveland Rock&Roll show.

[@teddennison344]

Fu. Fact: (SNL S1 alum) Lorraine Newman also had a part in American Hot Wax.

[@philippeh3904]

This probably should’ve been a miniseries tbh.

[@josepablodeleon6073]

Maybe we shouldn't look at art as what it should've been but as what it is

[@jasonraschen1109]

Thank you for this review Dan. I’m planning to see this next Saturday. Also planning to see a new 4K restoration of The Red Shoes. Never seen it before. Have you? Enjoy the weekend!

[@emilyplunkett6034]

My first memories of television was of Dana Carvey as the Church Lady when, as a toddler, I'd wander to see my mom watching the episode of SNL she taped from the night before. I will be seeing this movie, no matter what. I do have to pose this question, though: where does it stack up compared to the thousands of other SNL movies in existence? 😊

[@bryanfish7303]

I haven't seen this, but I feel like a frantic, chaotic real time movie is the perfect feel for a movie based on 70s SNL

[@johnbruno940]

Sounds like your biggest complaint is that this isn’t a tv show. This felt more true to the chaotic nature and feel of SNL. Although I wouldn’t be upset if they tried to follow this up with more in depth looks at the show. I feel like there’s just so much there it would’ve been impossible to fit everything in. And even if you did it could run the risk of being a more by the numbers biopic and personally I find this a much more fun entertaining look behind the curtain.

[@DanMurrellMovies]

I wouldn't say that I wanted it to be a TV show. I just don't think it did a good job of setting up basic characters, motivation, backstory, etc. I think there's a way to do it in a movie.

[@viralbuthow000]

Should be a limited series instead of a film, no?

[@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

Sounds like the director saw Birdman and thought "i can do that but SNL" and he couldn't

[@blackguyofthesouth2161]

The director is Jason Reitman and Oscar nominated director 😅😂. Who's laughing now

[@BMoneyrulz]

The intro itself deserves a Golden Globe.

[@avawarrior7937]

I think this would have worked and be more interesting if it was a limited series like 24, each season is a day but also allows for flashbacks and flashforwards

[@Pokemonashgreen2]

Thursday evening packed for me, Saturday Night, Piece by Piece and Terrifier 3! Thank God for AMC A list!.

[@JamesMatthewGallagher]

Chubbies? Sounds like a description of the patrons at Hooters on particularly hot, steamy night.

[@whelp22]

This sounds like such a strange movie. I’m in the same boat you are, Dan. I love SNL and have been a nerd about it since I was a kid. When I saw the trailers for this originally, what struck me was, “Huh. I don’t remember the first night being that insane.” The oddest part to me sounds like the movie would still be effective and maybe even more interesting if they toned down all the crazier moments to more of simply what occurred that night. The audience isn’t dumb, you know? It’s still dramatic for people to see a producer like Lorne solve smaller issues with actors on such a pivotal night for a production. I’ll still see it. It sounds like a fun little movie to watch before kicking on the first episode of the show to celebrate the 50th.

[@Bad_Wolf_Media]

I've never been a massive SNL fan, though I enjoy a lot of the work over the years. My connection to the show is that it's (almost exactly) 24 hours younger than me. I was born around 8:30p Eastern on Friday, the show debuted at 11:30p Saturday. Next year, my 50th birthday will be on Friday, and the SNL 50th Birthday will be that next Saturday night.

[@ScottKlapman]

Being it's not an SNL documentary, I feel something different was expected than what Reitman delivers - and I'm sure it's exactly as he wanted it.

[@jonalexander9312]

It still baffles me that this wasn't a Universal movie.

[@suave-rider]

As an Australian I have never seen SNL and I can tell you this film will barely get a small release in cinemas here as there is zero recognition or interest in the subject

[@CyGea]

Anyone out there wondering what Lorne sounds like…it’s Dr Evil.

[@sydney4377]

Really appreciate your thoughts Dan!

[@nicolasmoyano_]

Great review! I really want to see it on the big screen when it comes out

[@Lamont580]

This should have been an eight-part prestige series. Most of those shows try to spread too little plot over too many episodes, so that they came milk extra seasons out of popular IP. In this case, it sounds like they packed too much plot into too little time. It also seems like a situation where they could have secured most of the cast for a limited run, which is often the excuse for a two-hour movie versus an eight-hour series.

[@paradisecity0406able]

I've had the film score on loop on Spotify for a week now. It's so good.

[@ricebrown1]

oh shit, they got winnie the bish?

[@montyql]

I'm so confused as to whether see Joker or Saturday Night next week. I was leaning Saturday Night, but Dan's reviews have thrown me.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

People keep saying SNL isn't as good as it used to be, but that's because NOTHING is as good as SNL used to be.

[@danieljtafoyajr]

SNL is the exact same as it’s always been. No better, no worse.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

@@danieljtafoyajr I believe this to be a controversial opinion. The cast of the original is like a "who's who" of 70's/80's comedy. Comedy legends were born. I enjoy the current series, but it isn't as good as the original, but what is? 😂😂

[@geojmartinez]

@@FatNorthernBigotDrew Gooden made a fantastic video addressing this statement. Like many sketch comedy shows, fans only remember the good sketches and dump the bad ones out of their memory. So they see the show with rose tinted glasses and refuse to believe it had flaws. The show has always been inconsistent. That’s par for the course either way sketch comedy shows. Especially ones that have bern in air as long as SNL

[@SpectacFash]

Nice opening buddy

[@deanwright1609]

Thanks Dan

[@jonathanortega753]

LMAO great intro Dan 🤣

[@holgerschulz4104]

From what you´ve told, they might´ve been better off with Bob Woodward´s SNL insight presented in "Wired".

[@pattheplanter]

Wasn't Belushi in real life more of a caricature than a character?

[@chrismize2738]

Should have been a streaming series👊🏻

[@noellenn2122]

It’s clear that the movie Dan wanted to see is not the movie Jason Reitman made. Maybe someone will make the movie Dan wants to see someday.

[@DanMurrellMovies]

I just wanted to see a well-paced movie with characters that were properly established.

[@yondie491]

"Sure, you did research and found out how they say the name, but that doesn't matter. You're wrong and they're wrong, and everyone who pronounces it that way is wrong no matter what, obviously!" :) (dear internet: that's sarcasm, Dan understands)

[@TheDilettante]

Sounds very similar to the Prairie Home Companion movie, which was very good but also limited by its pseudo-real-time format.

[@MariaVosa]

I was worried about this when I heard about the "real time" conceit. But I'm really bummed hearing the short shrift Gilda Radner gets. For shame!

[@CyGea]

Been watching SNL since it started. My only interest in this movie is to see if the actors do the original cast justice.

[@DugTheDog]

Predicting about $3.99 from international markets for this movie.

[@Wingcake84]

Honestly a Chevy chase biopic is the better choice, a method actor would salivate getting the role is essentially a Greek tragedy from the most popular comic actor to has been, the feud with bill murray snl his box office decline and ending with him leaving community most people remember him as well.

[@Yachirobi]

That's disappointing to hear. Gimmicks shouldn't interfere with storytelling, especially true stories.

[@yondie491]

So this sounds like a combination of "the Memphis Belle format" with "it's for the fans" which... doesn't necessarily sound like a good idea. I'm not against it, but that sounds like a dangerous combination. While I'd have loved a proper historical representation of Memphis Belle, I do love the movie (I'm presuming you know what I mean regarding how that movie combined a bunch of historical facts into a single bombing mission) for what it was. I lol'd at "Chevy Chase's ego." Your review basically just cemented my desire to see this. Thanks!

[@iohfs2629]

Kind of shocked you thought this was worse than Joker 2

[@shannonbriggs1369]

Dan, I was curious about your thoughts of the portrayal of Jim Henson in "Saturday Night". I've heard a lot from Henson fans who feel that it was misguidedly negative and unfair to Henson and his relationship with SNL and the Muppets at that time. The consensus with the Henson fans is that Reitman and Kenan have an axe to grind with Henson for some reason.

[@bradhogan646]

The animated guy with the phone in the thumbnail makes me think of Christian Bale

[@nms7872]

That's Chevy chase

[@Anubis22774]

Poodle-Crisp Deluxe

[@Ductos]

This is a very specific American movie, which I don't think will even get a theatrical release in most countries, because it's just too niché. I'm a bit familiar with SNL, but only thanks to clips from the internet, so I will never fully understand the significance myself, but I get how important this might be for NA audiences.

[@trevorfeelgood]

studio 60 on the sunset strip

[@godspeedrebirth]

Never watched SNL so I guess I’m skipping this one

[@brianalice]

Is there a KZbin video like Cram It that would fill us in on what we need to know about SNL beforehand to get the most out of this movie?

[@azcello]

Check out the Saturday Night Network, Everything You Need to Know About Season 1

[@UncleFeztersFlowers]

Speaking only for myself...I initially watched 'n loved SNL, because so many of the cast and writers came from National Lampoon magazine, and The National Lampoon Radio Hour, and 'Lemmings'. And all these SNL tributes 'n such really do a disservice to NatLamp's influence and contributions to the success of the show. A lotta the 'Radio Hour' is here on youtube- It only ran for just over a year. ...I'd avoid the recent attempt to revive it stuff.

[@batsight1]

This felt like a 30 Rock episode stretched to an hour and a half, but with boring plots and they were cowards for having so many fun actors and not recreate the episode for the last hour of the movie

[@batsight1]

It should have been a 30 rock episdoe for the first 30 minutes and then recreat the episode

[@GrubHooligan]

I disagree with Dan's take on the gimmick of the movie and how well it works. I thought the pacing on the movie was excellent, and it elevated a movie that I don't think I would have otherwise cared much about into something that eventually won me over and made me care. Pretty much everything about this movie is excellent. The writing, the performances, the pacing, etc... I went in with no expectations and very little investment in the movie (free preview screening of a movie I otherwise wouldn't have seen), and afterwards I told multiple people that they should make it a point to watch the film. I think he really was just a little too close to the subject matter. As somebody who cares much less, I was thoroughly entertained, followed all of it, and absolutely bought into the stakes. My one and only criticism of the film is that I think all of the women were extremely shortchanged. None of them get real arcs, and they only seem to exist in this film to further the storylines of their male costars. There are so many "great men" being elevated in this film by brilliant, capable women whose only purpose is to be adoring that I found myself wondering if Aaron Sorkin wrote the film. That's definitely the vibe.

[@KillaD69]

I'm a huge SNL fan and have been watching for years. With that being said...I have no fucking interest in this movie. 🤷‍♂️

[@JKJonesInCode]

Yea I've never really watched more than a couple episodes of SNL and this was fun but not great for me. A lot definitely went over my head.

[@jonm.1030]

What's your SNL Seasons? I'd go with 1992-1995 Dana Carvey, Chris Farley, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, Chris Rock, Norm, Spade, Sandler and then enter the Will Ferrell era incredible run and peak SNL. Always have a soft spot for this show.

[@DanMurrellMovies]

That's hard to beat, because it was also when I was young and first getting into the show. The peak Myers/Carvey/Hartman/Sandler, etc years were great. And then once the Ferrell group got their feet under them, transitioning into peak Wiig/Fey/Sudeikis/Forte/Armisen,etc was another great run.

[@jonm.1030]

@@DanMurrellMovies Right! I always felt that was the era where the woman changed the game Poehler, Fey, Rudolph, Wiig and then Cecily and Kate McKinnon carried the show till 2022. I mean season 50 so they must be doing something right.

[@thebrentrobinsonshow2882]

Great review.

[@TheVileOne]

A fair review

[@johndrayton8728]

Would-be elites making movies about elites. Pass.

[@Suzanne_sf]

I think I'm still going to see it. :)

[@brianng8350]

I grew up with the 80s and 90s SNL. But I’m not a fan of this movie. Most of the people do not have much screen time and others are not likable and very unprofessional. My only takeaway from the movie is that it was a miracle it got made and it lasted 50 years. I did not recognize Dylan O’Brien. I’ve never knew Lamorne Morris has such a great voice. The jokes that made it into the movies, I did not laugh. Were the jokes too 70s for me? The movie just did not leave me with any strong impressions, which left me disappointed.

[@KHWendy28]

I really don't care about reviews I am glad it's getting some good ones I just want to see Dylan O'Brien he is my favorite actor I just love him.

[@benjaminlebaron7128]

A lot of skewed facts. As a a 30 year DIE HARD SNL fan, it was nice to watch, but it was a tad inaccurate.

[@JROTCBALL]

Definitely a big fan of the earlier snl seasons n very excited about this movie.. I can see the in real time narrative being a bit of a gimmick though.. excited to see it n draw my own conclusions

[@matheuslascasas134]

I don’t know if I’m going to see it honestly. I know of SNL, but I’ve seen very little of it. Not sure if this is for me

[@JoeJoe-lq6bd]

I didn't know about the structure of the film. It sounds like they sold it on a gimmick and not a great story. Not sure this sounds great tbh.

[@warrenbigelow9736]

Agree with much of the review and I am much less of an SNL fan than Dan. Only thing I think I disagree with is the Labelle performance. I am sure I know much less about Lorne Michaels, but my understanding at least was that he was a bit of a hard-ass and incredibly tough to please. I found Labelle to be too slight and Hoffman to me dominated their scenes together which didn't strike me as correct for my understanding of reality.

[@Valkonnen]

Looking at it, it's as if they have never seen the actual show from that time and did not live in the 70's. In this film, you can SEE the "Costume Design" which is contrived and the hairstyles are not exact. I mean I watched these shows when they actually aired when I was a kid, and anyone who was alive at this time would be able to tell how fake and put on everything looks. It looks like it was Production designed by the same person who did "The Joker", where everything was ugly and it looked dirty..

[@Slugthing]

Saw this one at tiff, I felt like the biggest problem was that there was no clear goal to get to by the end. Sure, they have to get the show ready, and actually get it on the air too, but they felt so ambiguous in the actual movie itself. I know nothing about SNL and I think you’re right about this one relying too much on your knowledge of SNL, not that I was lost, but I just kept wondering why I should care.

[@MichaelAivaliotis]

Every movie has to have a gimmick. Why?

[@LucianoAassis]

Can you explain who those people were?

[@BobDoba]

Snl doesn’t seem super relevant anymore. When I was young everyone was talking Monday about the show. Last time it was talked about at work was when Davidson made fun of war wounds of a vet. Talented people have a lot of other avenues to go these days so I don’t think SNL will ever have a comeback.

[@Weaponator18]

Yeah I really do think SNL has fallen because of the many different avenues funny people have to go these days. SNL used to be the showcase where the talent rose all the way to the top and showcased that for the audience. It won't come back the way that it used to; but SNL won't ever fully go away either.

[@DanMurrellMovies]

I completely agree with that. SNL used to be THE premiere stage for underground writers and sketch comedians. Now there are so many other shows and so many other ways to get discovered that the talent pool is much more diluted. The hits are spread further apart, there are more misses, and there are a lot more sketches that fall in the middle. The show always has talent, but I don't see it returning to what it was.

[@shiftymcgee9359]

Sloppy joe, sloppy sloppy joe, yeah…

[@geeninebee]

I've started watching about 15 years ago SNL, but lately it's become a very rare occurence. I don't find them very funny now , maybe one sketch per show makes me smile. Also, they have more taped recordings than before, so they're SNML (Saturday Night Mostly Live), and they're nauseatingly politically charged. Still watching the older seasons, 80s and 90s mostly, The Californians, Debbie Downer, and so on.

[@BoredandDumb]

I'm a year older than snl 😢