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Jason Reitman Assembles Perfect Cast to Capture the Birth of ‘SNL’
Over nearly 1,000 episodes, “Saturday Night Live” has become a cornerstone of American comedy. As it approaches its 50th anniversary, director Jason Reitman celebrates this milestone by bringing to life an oral history of the very first episode in his latest film, “Saturday Night.” It begins at 10 p.m. on Oct. 11, 1975, and unfolds in nearly real-time leading up to Chevy Chase’s famous opening line. But who brings these iconic characters to life? Who plays the roles of Chase, Gilda Radner, and John Belushi?
Reitman, whose father Ivan directed some of “SNL’s” legends, faced the challenge of finding actors who could embody some of TV’s most beloved comedic figures. Together with casting director John Papsidera, they achieved this feat by selecting actors who could capture the essence and energy of the original stars. Although these actors might not be perfect look-alikes, they form a dynamic ensemble.
The original “SNL” cast, sourced from Second City and National Lampoon, was known for absurd characters and exaggerated impressions. In this film, Reitman needed actors who could subtly channel the vulnerabilities and insecurities of their real-life counterparts.
Some of the cast aren’t even comedians by trade. For instance, Cory Michael Smith, who plays Chevy Chase, has a background mostly in Todd Haynes movies. Matt Wood, who portrays John Belushi, is relatively unknown. Nicholas Braun, on the other hand, takes on dual roles as Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson. Yes, Henson did puppetry during the first season’s “Land of Gorch” segments.
From the film’s opening minutes, producer Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) grapples with defining the show. As the clock ticks down, the board is overloaded with four host monologues, two standups, two musical guests (each with two performances), a solo from Andy Kaufman, five parody commercials, Weekend Update, a film by Albert Brooks, Jim Henson’s Muppet segment, and seven sketches.
This three-hour pile of material meant that many, including Billy Crystal (Nicholas Podany), were cut. Despite being told it’s impossible to fit everything, Michaels remains undeterred. He tries to explain the novelty of “SNL” to skeptical NBC executives who were ready to revert to a rerun of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”
Reitman’s film re-creates the chaotic process of getting the initial episode on air. Nearly everything goes wrong: from lighting rigs falling, sets catching fire, drugs, flaring egos, and a rogue llama roaming the halls. These mishaps, although comedic, underscore the challenges faced in creating a show that would become a cultural touchstone.
Reitman does an excellent job of taking audiences behind the scenes. Films and shows like “30 Rock,” “Studio 60,” and “The Larry Sanders Show” have demystified TV before, but “Saturday Night” captures the magic of this revolutionary night like never before.
Music adds another layer to the film’s atmosphere. Jon Batiste, who also plays musical guest Billy Preston, created a jazz score that perfectly complements the film’s frenetic pace. The live-recorded sequences add authenticity to the chaos, and the moments when the music pauses offer brief respite from the whirlwind.
The cast navigates numerous crises, from Jane Curtin (Kim Matula) rehearsing a commercial, to Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris) questioning his role in the project. There’s the ever-cocky Chase, portrayed with nuance by Smith, and Belushi, who waits until the last moment to sign his contract. There’s palpable tension, further complicated by off-stage romances and rivalries.
The film also includes memorable cameos like J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle, who captures the era’s comedic giants with biting humor. David Tebet, who refers to Chase as a “handsome funny Gentile,” underscores the shifting tides of television comedy.
Reitman masterfully portrays a turning point in TV history, capturing the essence of Michaels’ vision and the subsequent evolution of American humor. Younger audiences, starved for content that spoke directly to their experiences, found a champion in “SNL.” Reitman, having faced his own career challenges, brings authenticity to this behind-the-scenes story, making us root for an improbable success.
He shows how the show’s first host, George Carlin (Matthew Rhys), and countercultural figures like Lenny Bruce and Cheech and Chong paved the way for the irreverence that “SNL” would embody. Despite its staggering success, the film convinces us that “SNL’s” debut could have easily been a disaster.
Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” revisits a landmark moment in television, capturing the excitement and peril of live TV. The film leaves us with a sense of how uncertain its success was, rendering the eventual outcome all the more extraordinary.
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