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In Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night,” we meet the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players mere minutes before they revolutionize comedy — and television itself — with their live, late-night NBC variety show dreamed up by an inscrutable Canadian named Lorne Michaels. Buzzing with nervous energy, the film tick-tocks through the chaotic final 90 minutes before the first episode of “Saturday Night Live” (which at that point didn’t have the “Live” in its title) hits the air on October 11, 1975.

We see John Belushi (Matt Wood) and Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt) narrowly miss getting crushed by a falling studio light; Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O’Brien) flirt shamelessly with Laraine Newman (Emily Fairn); Jane Curtin (Kim Matula) and Garrett Morris bond over feeling sidelined; and Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith) announce himself by falling over a trash can and boasting about his manhood. Adding to the mayhem are a beleaguered Jim Henson and an...

Paramount Animation is here to save the day with an update to the long-gestating Mighty Mouse movie. Paramount is partnering with Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort Productions to produce a feature adaptation of the classic character’s adventures, with Free Guy writer Matt Liberman writing the script. Younger generations may not know who Mighty Mouse is, but if you’re as old as me (43), you could remember watching Mighty Mouse reruns in your pajamas with a bowl full of Croonchy Stars or Donkey Kong Junior cereal.

Mighty Mouse flew onto the animation scene in 1942 with “The Mouse of Tomorrow,” a short film. He continued his adventures in dozens of shorts for the next several decades, including a Saturday morning cartoon show, giving us the gift of the” Mighty Mouse Theme (Here I Come to Save the Day).” You’re likely to have heard the song if you’re an Andy Kaufman...

If you’re interested in American comedy, you must have heard of SNL at some point in your life. Launched in 1975, this NBC sketch comedy show became a cultural touchstone, crafted by baby boomers and adored by Gen X and millennials throughout their formative years. Now, five decades after its inception, people understand its influence on the American comedy. While the SNL sketches impacted other forms of comedy like movies and sitcoms for decades, it is now borrowing its style of humor from other formats to satisfy another generation of viewers. Be that as it may, it is fascinating to learn about its foundation through Jason Reitman’s exhilarating “Saturday Night” (2024). While calling it a formative moment in American comedy will be reductive considering the history of this form, it is certainly a milestone that shaped generations of comedic minds to come. Find the film’s ending explained here.

Spoilers...

The principals of Seven Bucks Productions –Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and Hiram Garcia – are between The Rock and a hard place.

The 12-year-old film and TV shop was one of the earliest prototypes for a modern production company built around a megastar. These were businesses created to give more control and equity to figures like Johnson and his contemporaries. But as Hollywood struggles with consolidation and a cash crunch, scaling past the big name behind the brand may be essential for their long-term survival.

Some celebrity-backed companies have chosen to move into ancillary businesses beyond the movies and shows that made an actor an A-lister. Witherspoon, for instance, has become more consequential to book publishing than anyone might have predicted when Hello Sunshine launched. And Robbie and her partners at LuckyChap haven’t just made projects for the “Barbie” actress. Guided by great taste, they’ve partnered with cutting-edge creatives...

In the first month of Donald Trump’s second term as president, an uncertain America will make a point to honor the “canceled” comedians who were brave enough to choose the exact same targets as the president’s attack ads.

Earlier today, The Recording Academy released the full list of nominees for the 67th Grammy Awards in February. The Best Comedy Album category, specifically, is shaping up to be a slugfest, as superstars Nikki Glaser, Jim Gaffigan, Trevor Noah, Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais will all compete for one of the highest honors in stand-up. Of this worthy crop of contestants, two out of five nominees will almost certainly prove to be divisive should either of them take home the coveted trophy, as Gervais and Chappelle both used their most recent specials, Armageddon and The Dreamer respectively, to continue their campaign to denigrate and dehumanize the transgender community while flaunting...

Emmy-and-Golden Globe winning actor. Oscar-nominated producer. Director. Writer. In his 50 years in the industry, Danny DeVito has worn many hats, becoming one of the most successful and popular entertainers of his generation.

Daniel Michael DeVito, Jr. was born on November 17, 1944, in New Jersey, with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. Also known as Fairbank’s disease, this rare genetic disorder affects bone growth and contributed to his short stature. This has not hindered his successes, beginning with his training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and early work in the theater.

In 1975, DeVito successfully reprised his off-Broadway role in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” in the film version, and soon found success as Louie DePalma in the television sitcom “Taxi,” for which he received four Primetime Emmy and four Golden Globe nominations, winning the Emmy in 1978 and the Globe in 1980. Louie was the arrogant dispatcher of the Sunshine Cab Company who...

Exclusive: Neon and Topic Studios have wrapped on their comedy Splitsville, directed by and starring The Climb‘s Michael Angelo Covino, adding Nicholas Braun (Succession), David Castañeda (The Umbrella Academy), and O-t Fagbenle (The Handmaid’s Tale) to the cast.

Details as to the trio’s roles are being kept under wraps. As previously announced, Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, and Covino’s The Climb collaborator Kyle Marvin will also star.

In Splitsville, Ashley (Arjona) asks for a divorce, leading good-natured Carey (Marvin) to run to his friends, Julie (Johnson) and Paul (Covino), for support. He’s shocked to discover that the secret to their happiness is an open marriage — that is, until Carey crosses the line and throws all of their relationships into chaos.

Reteaming following their work together on Brandon Cronenberg’s Infinity Pool, Topic Studios and Neon produced alongside Covino, Marvin and Emily Korteweg under the team’s Watch This Ready banner,...

Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” has hit theaters nationwide, chronicling the chaotic 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of “Saturday Night Live” in 1975, releasing on the 49th anniversary of the long-running sketch comedy on October 11. With this movie expected to be a contender at the upcoming 2025 Academy Awards, let’s take a closer look at the filmmaker’s previous four Oscar nominations in three different categories for just two of his films.

After Reitman’s directorial debut in 2005 for “Thank You For Smoking,” he achieved commercial and critical success for his coming-of-age film “Juno” in 2007, starring Elliot Page as the titular teenage character who deals with her unexpected pregnancy and wants to give it up for adoption. While the comedy was praised for its screenplay by Diablo Cody and lead performance, Reitman’s direction was not recognized at any of the major precursor award ceremonies, which is why it...

Longtime friends and collaborators, Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan, reunite once more in this new biopic, charting the explosive birth of the iconic Saturday Night Live comedy program on the US TV network NBC.

Set in the frantic 90 minutes before the show’s inaugural episode aired, Saturday Night expertly captures the unpredictable, high-stakes nature of live television, weaving in biting humour, personal conflicts, and the birth of a cultural phenomenon.

Reitman and Kenan’s script balances tension and comedy, paying homage to the anarchic energy of SNL’s origins while offering insight into the fragile egos, narcotic excesses and volatile personalities that shaped its creation.

The film opens on October 11, 1975, with a visibly stressed Lorne Michaels, portrayed with nuance and gravitas by The Fabelmans star Gabriel Labelle, entering NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza in preparation for the first show. Outside he is greeted by a stressed out NBC page (Stanger Things...

Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” is a live-wire comedic drama that follows the 90 minutes that directly preceded the airing of the very first episode of “Saturday Night Live” back in 1975. As dramatized in the film, it’s a calamitous combination of faulty equipment, jittery performers and looming executives who were ready to cut the broadcast at any moment.

The movie is funny and dramatic but it really has the beating heart of a thriller, as the cast and crew race against time to get the show on the air. And there is a bit of a mystery there, too, at least when it comes to some of its casting. While a bunch of cute young actors are playing the various performers and behind-the-scenes principals (also Willem Dafoe is there as an antagonizing exec and J.K. Simmons shows up as Milton Berle), there is one casting choice that might have you a little puzzled.

Cory Michael Smith had some big shoes to fill with his latest role.

The Saturday Night actor recently opened up about the “terror” of mastering his portrayal of Chevy Chase and his “very compulsive” process to prepare for the film, which premiered Friday on the 49th anniversary of Saturday Night Live‘s debut.

“I have loved Chevy Chase since I was a kid. He’s one of my favorite comedic actors,” he told People. “It was such an honor that I did not want to mess this up, and I didn’t want to mess my career up. So I really dove in, and for about two months I would only let myself watch Chevy Chase.

“I just was like, I have to know how this man would say every line, what his body and face would be doing instinctually and sort of deprogram myself and my instincts from this,...

Comedian Dan Aykroyd has high praise for the new film “Saturday Night,” which tells the story of the first episode of “Saturday Night Live.” Aykroyd was part of the original cast of NBC’s groundbreaking sketch comedy show when it debuted in 1975. After seeing director Jason Reitman’s movie at his local theater, Aykroyd called it a “stand-alone masterpiece” that accurately captures the intense process of creating the pioneering TV program.

Aykroyd took to the social media platform X to share his thoughts about “Saturday Night.” He said the film is “propulsive, engaging, funny, beautifully cast and acted, suspenseful, adventurous, [and] music-filled.” The movie veteran believes the film authentically portrays the frantic 90 minutes before the very first “SNL” broadcast. As an original cast member, Aykroyd felt like he “relived it wonderfully again” while watching Reitman’s movie. He encourages audiences to see the film “whether you know the show or not.

Dan Aykroyd has officially given Saturday Night his stamp of approval.

The actor and original Saturday Night Live castmember took to X, formerly Twitter, on Friday to share his thoughts on director Jason Reitman’s latest film, which centers on the 90 minutes leading up to the sketch comedy show’s first broadcast in 1975.

“Cracking a Head to applaud Jason Reitman’s triumphant SNL film. Wow!” Aykroyd wrote after watching the movie at his local theater. “What a propulsive, engaging, funny, beautifully cast and acted, suspenseful, adventurous, music-filled ride. A perfect window into the creative process at its highest level. Pretty accurate too.”

The Ghostbusters actor continued, “I was there that night and got to relive it wonderfully again. Congratulations Gil, Jason and Blumie. Don’t miss it whether you know the show or not. It is a stand-alone masterpiece and surefire candidate for Best Picture.”

Saturday Night takes place on Oct.

As Saturday Night Live marks a landmark season, the NBC sketch comedy show threw it back to 1975.

Celebrating the 49th anniversary of SNL‘s first broadcast, with Season 50 continuing this weekend, the show shared its original opening credit sequence Friday on social media.

“SNL premiered on October 11, 1975!” they wrote on X with the intro clip for what was then titled Saturday Night.

The lineup included George Carlin, Janis Ian, Billy Preston, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, George Coe, Michael O’Donoghue, Valri Bromfield and Andy Kaufman, with a film by Albert Brooks and Jim Henson’s Muppets.

In honor of the anniversary, Jason Reitman‘s Saturday Night premieres Friday in theaters. The film is set on Oct. 11, 1975, as a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers change television forever. Formerly titled SNL 1975, the film tells the true story of what happened...

It was no small feat to get “Saturday Night Live” off the ground at NBC, and as a result, the cast of “Saturday Night” is pretty huge. In many cases, the actors also look eerily similar to the people they’re playing.

Hitting theaters everywhere on Oct. 11 after a limited theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles, Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night” tells the story of the 90 minutes right before the first-ever episode of “SNL.” It’s chaotic and at the time, even Lorne Michaels couldn’t explain what the show was going to be.

Below, you’ll find the cast of “Saturday Night” alongside what their real-life counterparts looked like back then.

Sony/Getty Images Lorne Michaels (Gabriel Labelle)

Lorne Michaels is the creator and, to this day, producer of “Saturday Night Live.” He’s played in “Saturday Night” by Gabriel Labelle, who had his breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s “The Fabelmans.

With Saturday Night opening nationwide, you might be tempted to jump on Peacock and watch the first-ever episode of Saturday Night (not yet with Live in its title). Of course it’s interesting from a historical perspective, but I rewatched the uncut DVD version to see if the actual comedy still held up. With 50 years in the show’s rear-view mirror, here’s the good and bad of that first episode from a 2024 perspective…

Good: George Carlin Stand-Up

Carlin admitted that he refused to appear in sketches, making him the only host in the show’s history to do so. Instead, he did what he did best — four separate stand-up sets interspersed throughout the show. Even though Carlin was jacked up during those monologues — “There’s one place where I can see myself grinding my jaw from the cocaine,” he said years later — you’re still catching an all-time great in his prime.

Saturday Night Live wasn’t Saturday Night Live, both literally and spiritually, when it premiered on Oct. 11, 1975. Weeks earlier, ABC had debuted a prime-time variety show called Saturday Night Live With Howard Cosell. So Lorne Michaels’ late-night creation had to go by, simply, Saturday Night — the same title of the Jason Reitman film (out now) about the sketch-comedy institution’s very first telecast. But that inaugural season was different from what we think of as Saturday Night Live in ways that go much further and deeper than the name. In that first year,...

Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Jane Curtain (Kim Matula), Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman), Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), Alan Zweibel (Josh Brener) and Lorne Michaels (Gabriel Labelle) in Saturday Night.

Ah, the weekend, a time to kick back and relax after the drudgery of the nine-to-fives grind. Well, that’s the case for most of us. For the folks working at “30 Rock” in the “Big Apple” it’s truly “crunch time” Most weeks, that is. And it all started exactly 49 years ago. That’s when one of the “big three” networks (in those “prehistoric’ times before cable and streaming), the National Broadcasting Company decided to gamble on a risky concept, one that was once the “norm” nearly twenty years prior. Back in the 1950s almost everything on the tube (other than creaky old movies) was aired live. But with the advent of video tape, most of the...

Nicholas Braun has a message for all the fans who wanted more for Greg in the Succession series finale: Greg will come out on top.

The Saturday Night star stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon ahead of the theatrical release of the upcoming film, in which he plays both Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson. During the late night conversation, the host asked the Emmy-nominated actor about his thoughts on the Succession series finale.

“I thought the episode was amazing,” Braun told Jimmy Fallon. “Fans are kind of generally, like, a little bit upset at how it ended with Greg. And they’ll come up to me — and he did great — but some people are like, you know, ‘He should have gotten it all.’ Like, ‘I thought he was going to, you know, get everything.'”

He continued, “And I’m like, ‘He kind of did. Like, he’s that close.

Larry David could have had a bright future as an action-comedy hero if a certain Saturday Night Live clone had survived long enough to make its own sketch-to-movie adaptations — after all, Enter The Matzoi: The Movie couldn’t have done that much worse at the box office than MacGruber.

The legendary Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm creator’s brief career in sketch comedy is best remembered for his Saturday Night Live era, during which David quit the show in a fit of rage halfway through his first and only season before returning to work the next day as if nothing had happened. David’s SNL antics formed the basis of one of the most iconic Seinfeld episodes ever with “The Revenge,” but it wasn’t David’s first memorable and slightly disastrous brush with televised sketch comedy. In his first-ever TV comedy job, David served as a staff writer and...

There's a long history of unusual and downright wild contract stipulations in Hollywood. On the unusual side, when Jack Nicholson signed on to play "The Joker" in 1989's "Batman" he not only negotiated a huge back-end deal that ensured the box office hit likely never made Warner Bros. any money, but he was also afforded time off to watch Lakers games and given top billing over Batman himself, Michael Keaton. On the wilder side, alt-comedy legend Andy Kaufman agreed to appear in a recurring capacity on "Taxi," but only if his alter ego -- sorry, "friend" -- Tony Clifton could appear in an episode.

Leaving actors aside, director Rian Johnson claimed back in 2020 that Apple would not allow villains to use iPhones in movies or TV shows — something the company has never confirmed, though its Guidelines for Using Apple Trademarks and Copyrights states that Apple products can be used so...

For his latest nonfiction role, Gabriel Labelle had a rare peek inside his character’s world.

The Saturday Night star recently recalled his visit to 30 Rockefeller Plaza, where he saw a Saturday Night Live taping and met creator Lorne Michaels while portraying him in the film, which premieres nationwide on Oct. 11 following a limited release.

“Our first two days of shooting were in New York, just to shoot outside of 30 Rock, and Lorne was super cool and invited us to watch the Josh Brolin episode live,” he told IndieWire. “And so a handful of us, those who live in New York and then those who were just in New York to shoot regardless, we were able to go and check it out. It was really great.

“Lorne was there, and I actually got to speak with him briefly after the show. We didn’t say too much to each other.

Dylan O’Brien is keeping a pretty cool head after undertaking his latest role.

The Saturday Night actor said he “can’t wait” to meet Dan Aykroyd following his portrayal of the Saturday Night Live alum in the upcoming Jason Reitman-helmed film, which premieres nationwide on Oct. 11, the 49th anniversary of the NBC sketch comedy show’s first episode.

“I’m okay if my guy hates it. It’s acceptance. That was my method,” he joked to People about Aykroyd’s potential reaction to his performance.

“I hear we’re very similar, in a way that I never knew,” added O’Brien. “I feel like we’re going to get along.”

Saturday Night takes place on October 11, 1975, as a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers change television forever. Formerly titled SNL 1975, the film tells the true story of what happened behind the scenes that night in the 90 minutes...

Some of the least funny SNL sketches from the past decade have been the cold opens, namely those that consist mostly of lightly rewritten versions of recent speeches, congressional testimonies, or interviews by politicians. One gets the sense that these skits are built to do nothing more than play on the audience’s mere recognition of what’s being referenced, patting us on the back for being in the know while vying for our laughter.

While Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night does, unlike those sketches, at least include some honest-to-goodness jokes, it often gives into the same pandering instincts. For instance, the film openly invites SNL aficionados and comedy nerds to point at the screen in collective recognition at the events and lore of the show’s past and nod along with pride in their knowledge.

Written by Reitman and Gil Kena, the film offers us a glimpse of John Belushi...

Exclusive: Acquisition news out today will have comedy fans giving thanks — Thank You Very Much, the documentary about the late Andy Kaufman, has been picked up by Drafthouse Films.

The film directed by Emmy winner Alex Braverman is presented by Morgan Neville’s Tremolo Productions, Elara Pictures, and Jenifer Westphal’s Wavelength. The acquisition deal covers North American theatrical and digital rights; Drafthouse plans an early 2025 release in select cities, followed by a digital release on select streaming platforms. Thank You Very Much premiered at the 80th Venice Film Festival last year — where it won the Venice Classics Award for Best Documentary – followed by a U.S. premiere at the Telluride Film Festival.

“Thank You Very Much traces the life and career of legendary performance artist Andy Kaufman, exploring the enigmatic legend’s gonzo, boundary-shattering comedy which provoked and often outraged audiences,” notes a synopsis. “The film reveals a nuanced...

As Saturday Night Live embarks upon its milestone 50th season, Saturday Night arrives to complete the show’s journey, despite the film’s lack of authorial stamp from Broadway Video, NBC, or even Universal Pictures. With the appearance of a reverent, mythmaking de facto biopic, covering the momentous 90 minutes leading...

Jason Reitman’s SNL origin story, Saturday Night, hasn’t even hit movie theaters yet, but it’s already sparking an explosion of online opinions. Most recently, Muppet devotees have been wading into the discourse, due to the film’s depiction of Jim Henson, as played by Cousin Greg from Succession, who, confusingly, also plays Andy Kaufman in the film.

Over on the Muppets subreddit, fans have been responding to a recent Slate article that makes mention of the film’s “dismissive” treatment of Henson. One user noted that this news is “disappointing if true.” Another Muppet fan pointed out that “it makes no one look good to treat Muppets as badly as (the SNL cast and crew) apparently did. Good biopics should capture the magic of their target.”

But others defended the film, suggesting that the “Muppet SNL skits are probably the worst thing Henson ever did,” and reminding...

A film about the creation of Saturday Night Live seems incredibly indulgent on paper. Still, in the hands of a filmmaker like Jason Reitman, whose father had such a connection to people from SNL, we could rely on it at least being sincere. While Saturday Night is certainly an exercise in style over substance, it is well-made and well-performed enough to win viewers over.

Saturday Night Review

Saturday Night takes audiences behind the scenes of the first-ever episode of Saturday Night Live, recorded on October 11, 1975, as creator Lorne Michaels struggles to make sure everything in the soon-to-be legendary sketch comedy show goes off without a hitch. The movie’s conceit is that it plays out in real time, following the final hour and a half before the show goes live, creating an incredibly immersive experience.

Because of its real-time structure, Saturday Night turns into something resembling a race-against-the-clock thriller. Even...

TIFF isn’t a festival known for its standing ovations, but it’s arguable that tonight’s Canadian premiere of Sony’s behind-the-scenes SNL movie Saturday Night came close with arguably the most rapturous response here at the 49th edition, which included the audience clapping rhythmically through the end-credits.

Said one industry insider not connected to the pic, “I won’t be surprised if it wins the Audience Award” –a historical bellwether for Oscar winners.

A multitude of the cast from the Jason Reitman-directed pic were in tow at the Royal Alexandra Theatre including Nicholas Braun (who plays Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson), J.K. Simmons (Milton Berle), Willem Dafoe (NBC exec David Tebet), Matt Wood (John Belushi), Gabriel Labelle (Lorne Michaels), Lamorne Morris (Garrett Morris), Dylan O’Brien (Dan Aykroyd), Cory Michael Smith (Chevy Chase), Ella Hunt (Gilda Radner) and Rachel Sennott (Rosie Shuster) as well as the pic’s co-scribe and producer Gil Kenan.

Jason Reitman’s upcoming real-time film Saturday Night is set to dramatise the events leading up to SNL's first ever show. Trailer here.

Last month, we got the news that Saturday Night, the making-of story behind one of the most successful variety shows in US history, is heading for an 11th October release date in the US, and we also got an introductory trailer to go along with it.

While we still don’t yet now when Saturday Night will be hitting the UK, we do have a full trailer to check out ahead of the film’s arrival.

Starring The Fabelmans breakout Gabriel Labelle as the show’s famed producer, Lorne Michaels, the film reportedly revolves around the 90 minutes before the first broadcast of Michaels’ comedy darling, Saturday Night Live.

The cast for this one is something to behold. As well as the aformentioned Gabriel Labelle, we get Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd,...

Jason Reitman has described Saturday Night as a “comedy thriller” and said that the villain of the movie is time itself. It’s easy to see what he means in the new trailer for the film that depicts the chaotic premiere night of the comedy institution Saturday Night Live. The trailer, newly released by Sony, showcases more of the incredible recreations at Studio 8H, housed at the famous 30 Rockefeller Plaza, along with the cast of the film emulating that ragtag group of soon-to-be over-the-night comedy sensations.

In the new Saturday Night trailer, Labelle’s Lorne Michaels scrambles to get his show on the road in the face of impending failure. Between battling Rockafella Center security, being at odds with Mbc programming higher-up David Tebet (Willem Dafoe), and trying to keep his cast from killing each other, Michaels faces an uphill battle of wills to launch what eventually becomes an institution among television programming.

If there was any doubt that Saturday Night was made by real comedy nerds, look no further than the first few lines of the latest trailer. "Okay, let's see if we can get through one of these skits," the director says, before Lorne Michaels (Gabriel Labelle) quickly interjects: "Sketches, Davey,...

Sony and Columbia Pictures are expanding their release rollout for Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night.”

The film, which was previously scheduled to solely release wide on Oct. 11, 2024, is now getting a three-step platform release. It will first land exclusively in L.A., N.Y. and Toronto on Sept. 27, followed by a limited release on Oct. 4 and a wide release on Oct. 11.

Set in 1975, the film depicts the chaotic 90 minutes leading up to the premiere of NBC’s long-running sketch show, “Saturday Night Live.” It boasts a large ensemble cast, including “The Fablemans” breakout Gabriel Labelle as Lorne Michaels, Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Matt Wood as John Belushi, Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris and Nicholas Braun in dual roles as Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson.

“Saturday Night” premiered to a packed house at the Telluride Film Festival on Sept.

Update: Following the critical acclaim for Jason Reitman’s SNL origins pic, Saturday Night, coming out of its Telluride release, Sony is changing up the release pattern of the ensemble pic to a platform roll-out. The movie will go exclusive on Sept 27 in LA, NYC and Toronto, then limited on Oct. 4 before breaking wide on Oct. 11.

Saturday Night will have its international premiere up here at TIFF on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The pic is already 85% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes

Deadline’s Awards Editor and Chief Film Critic Pete Hammond declared that Reitman “nailed it” in casting the 80-speaking role movie with the likes of Gabriel Labelle as SNL producer as Lorne Michaels, Dyan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Willem Dafoe as NBC exec David Tebet, Cory Michael Smith’s “spot-on Chevy Chase”; Lamorne Morris’s Garrett Morris, Matt Wood’s John Belushi and Succession‘s Nicholas Braun doing double duty as Jim Henson and Andy Kaufman.

When a studio world premieres a movie at Telluride to tee off its chances during awards season, they have to make sure they’ve got the goods, and Sony certainly did coming away from its launch of Jason Reitman’s all-star Saturday Night about the 90-minute agita experienced by SNL producer Lorne Michaels before the show’s first broadcast in the fall of 1975.

Reitman is a true auteur in the sense of the word, a filmmaker who has done it his way. Saturday Night for one is shot in 16Mm, cinema verité style with shots careening through network hallways and backstage curtains. While Reitman is esteemed for such Oscar winners as Juno (which also doubled as a $143.3M grossing movie) and Up in the Air which notched six Oscar noms, he’s also had his fair share of niche misfires,...

A top director once told me 90% of the success of his movies is casting. If you get that right, you are on your way.

If that is the case then Saturday Night director and co-writer Jason Reitman nailed it — and then some. With a killer ensemble of more than 80 speaking roles (John Papsidera was the casting director) helping to bring to life this film detailing the chaotic and quite astounding 90 minutes before Saturday Night Live began its first broadcast on October 11, 1975, this is a masterful movie comedy firing on all cylinders. With no time to breathe in its tight 103-minute running time, Reitman (with his co-writer Gil Kenan) has mined comic gold in telling the incredible tale of how producer Lorne Michaels navigated a nervous network, bruised egos, an unpredictable cast, a suspicious censor and a whole lot of disasters as the clock ticked down to 11:30 p.m., when it still wasn’t certain,...

One of the buzziest films of the 2024 Telluride Film Festival has been the upcoming Sony feature based on the first ever live performance of the pop culture staple “Saturday Night Live.” What no one saw coming was that one of the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players, Bill Murray, would introduce the film alongside director Jason Reitman, who were both welcomed with a standing ovation of massively supportive fans and industry insiders.

At 11:30pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television and pop culture forever. “Saturday Night” is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of what was originally called “NBC’s Saturday Night” (because a competing show with Howard Cosell had the “Saturday Night Live” title). Full of humor, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t,...

Live from Telluride, it’s Saturday Night! Appropriately enough, Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night debuted on, well, Saturday Night at the Telluride Film Festival. For fans of SNL, this is one of the most anticipated films of the year and, judging by the initial reactions, it could now be in the Oscars discussion.

Check out some of the first reactions below:

Saturday Night just blew the roof off #Telluride. One of Jason Reitman’s best films! Perfectly captures the chaotic energy, camaraderie & backstage shenanigans of putting together the first SNL in real-time. Crisp editing, long takes, a witty script with big laughs and a… pic.twitter.com/NvBB1iZ3eN

— Matt Neglia @Telluride (@NextBestPicture) September 1, 2024

The sneaky #Telluride programmers waited till Saturday night to share Jason Reitman's Saturday Night, and it's been the highlight of my festival so far: a crowd-pleasing re-creation of SNL's first episode that gets the daunting casting challenge right.

Over nearly 1,000 episodes, “Saturday Night Live” has given America some of its most successful comedians, iconic characters and quotable catchphrases. Now, just one year shy of the pop phenom’s 50th anniversary, director Jason Reitman gives back, turning an oral history of the very first episode into a rowdy, delectably profane backstage homage. “Saturday Night” kicks off at 10 p.m. on Oct. 11, 1975, and ticks its way in practically real time to Chevy Chase’s delivery of the infamous opening line. Fine, but who plays Chevy Chase? Or Gilda Radner? Or John Belushi, for that matter?

The research is one thing, but Reitman — whose father, Ivan, directed his fair share of “SNL” legends, and who always dreamed of writing for the show — sets a foolhardy challenge for himself in finding sufficiently funny people to play some of TV’s most beloved cut-ups. Miraculously, Reitman and casting director John Papsidera pull it off,...

One of the earliest Alien rip-offs was made for US television. We take a look back at 1981’s The Intruder Within.

Much like Jaws, Star Wars and Mad Max before it, the success of 1979’s Alien prompted studios and producers the world over to make their own hastily-made rip-off movies. Thanks to – shall we say – enterprising filmmakers like Roger Corman and Norman J Warren, we got cheap and cheerful fare like Barracuda (1978), Battle Beyond The Stars (1980) and Inseminoid (1981).

One of the earliest Alien clones to emerge like a shambling monster, though, was The Intruder Within – a low-budget TV movie that cheekily borrowed all sorts of ideas from Ridley Scott’s hit, but transplanted the entire thing from a spaceship in the future to an oil rig in the post-energy crisis early 1980s. As you can probably imagine, it isn’t a lost classic, but it’s fascinating to revisit, both...

There’s never been a more pugnacious late-night comedy guy than Dave Letterman, a man who lived for uncomfortable moments. From Paris Hilton to Justin Bieber to Farrah Fawcett, Letterman leaned into uneasiness. That mostly made for hilariously awkward conversations, but occasionally, the conflicts threatened to erupt into full-on fights.

Here are five times it appeared like violence might break out on late-night television…

1 Crispin Glover Play

Glover looked like he was about to mix it up with a stagehand when Letterman introduced him, setting the stage for the antics to come. From there, it was hard to tell if Glover was attempting Andy Kaufman-esque performance art or if the young actor was truly disturbed. As Glover melted down on stage, Letterman asked Paul Shaffer if it was the first time he’d watched a man drown. The actor grew more agitated, first flexing his biceps and challenging Letterman to an arm-wrestling contest,...

Jim Carrey has proven himself as one the finest actors of all time, tasting commercial success with his comedies during the 90s and also successfully transitioning to more dramatic roles. Aside from his slapstick comedy, Carrey is notorious for his method acting antics, which have followed the actor for most of his career.

Jim Carrey starred in the 1999 Andy Kaufman biopic Man on the Moon (Credit: Universal Pictures).

During an interview, Carrey admitted he took things too far with one 1999 biopic, which was a box-office disaster. Carrey starred in Man on the Moon, based on the life and career of comedian Andy Kaufman. The actor spoke about how he approached playing Kaufman and the different personas of the comedian, and here is what he said about going full method in the movie.

Jim Carrey Admits He Took Method Acting Too Far on Man on the Moon

Jim Carrey earned his...

Veteran actor Jim Carrey has done his fair share of comedies over the decades that he spent in Hollywood. From films like Dumb and Dumber to The Mask, Carrey has done a lot.

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels in Dumb and Dumber | Credits: New Line Cinema

However, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for Jim Carrey. A stunt that went horribly wrong on the sets of his 1999 film Man on the Moon, put Jim Carrey on the red list for insurance companies. As always, there are two sides to this story.

Jim Carrey Was Completely In Character

Man on the Moon is a biographical film about the life of real-life comedian Andy Kaufman. Depicting the struggles, joy, survival, and, everything that Kaufman faced throughout his life, the film had Jim Carrey portraying the lead role.

Jim Carrey in the The Mask | Credits: Katja Motion Picture Corporation

During the final scene,...

The official trailer for “Saturday Night,” the feature film adaptation about a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers who changed television – and culture – forever, has been released. The film tells the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of “Saturday Night Live.”

Some familiar faces appearing in the film include Kim Matula, best known for her portrayal as Hope Logan on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” playing Weekend Update reporter Jane Curtin, “Teen Wolf” star Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner and Matthew Rhys as George Carlin. Nicholas Braun plays a double role as Jim Henson and Andy Kaufman, Cory Michael Smith is Chevy Chase, Matt Wood takes on the role of John Belushi, and finally, Gabriel Labelle plays the show’s executive producer and creator, Lorne Michaels.

Directed by...

Seinfeld is widely regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms on television, celebrated for its witty observations of everyday life and unique brand of humor. The show’s popularity was on a different level in the 1990s, making it a cultural phenomenon that resonated with millions of viewers. But one episode in particular could have jeopardized the show’s success.

Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Richards and Jason Alexander in Seinfeld || NBC

However, Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld managed to navigate this delicate subject with their trademark cleverness. But despite their careful handling, the episode wasn’t without a minor setback.

Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld Subtly Tackled a Risqué Topic

Jerry Seinfeld, the legendary comedian and creator of the iconic sitcom Seinfeld, shared some fascinating behind-the-scenes happenings while speaking at the Howard Stern Show in 2023. One memorable episode of the sitcom that fans adore was the one where Kramer gets the...

The chaotic first night of Saturday Night Live — and how the show was almost dead-on-arrival — is the focus of the upcoming “thriller-comedy” Saturday Night, which depicts the hours leading up to the premiere broadcast.

“At 11:30pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television – and culture – forever,” Sony Pictures Entertainment said in the film’s synopsis.

“Saturday Night is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Full of humor,...

Jason Reitman is ready to go live from New York.

On Thursday, Sony Pictures released the first trailer for Reitman’s upcoming drama “Saturday Night,” Reitman’s new film about the chaos and creativity that went into getting the venerable sketch comedy series “Saturday Night Live” on the air for the first time. “Saturday Night” debuts in theaters on October 11, 49 years to the day “SNL” debuted on NBC.

Here’s the synopsis of the film, provided by Sony:

At 11:30 pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television – and culture – forever. Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, Saturday Night is based on the true story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Full of humor, chaos, and the magic of a revolution that almost wasn’t, we count...

"We're 90 minutes of live television by a group of 20-year-olds who have never made anything. Did you ever stop and wonder why they said yes? A counterculture show starring total unknowns with zero narrative and even less structure. They want you to fail."

That's how producer Dick Ebersol (played by Cooper Hoffman of "Licorice Pizza") describes the comedic experiment that was "Saturday Night Live" in the first trailer for Jason Reitman's new movie "Saturday Night." The film chronicles all the chaos, fighting, drama, and hilarity that unfolded behind the scenes before the premiere of what would become one of the most iconic comedy shows of all time. 

When Vanity Fair debuted a first look at "Saturday Night" earlier this week, Reitman described it as a comedy-thriller where time was the villain, and that's exactly what we get in the trailer you can watch above. There's a literal ticking clock...

Live from New York! It’s the Saturday Night trailer! Steel yourselves for a chaotic evening of unpredictability, unprofessionalism, and rampant consumption of sensory-altering substances because Lorne Michaels (Gabriel Labelle) hopes to make miracles happen on the sketch variety show’s opening night.

In Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night trailer, Labelle’s Lorne Michaels scrambles to get his show on the road in the face of impending failure. Between battling Rockafella Center security, being at odds with Mbc programming higher-up David Tebet (Willem Dafoe), and trying to keep his cast from killing each other, Michaels faces an uphill battle of wills to launch what eventually becomes an institution among television programming.

Saturday Night explores the evening of October 11, 1975, when “a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. SNL 1975 is the true story of what happened behind the scenes that night in the moments leading up to...

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live, filmmaker Jason Reitman is bringing it back to the night when it all began. With his new film Saturday Night, Reitman chronicles the events leading up the events of SNL’s very first episode on October 11th, 1975. Watch the newly revealed trailer below.

The film’s star-studded ensemble cast features Gabriel Labelle as SNL creator Lorne Michaels; Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd; Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris; Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase; Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner; Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman; Kim Matula as Jane Curtin; Matt Wood as John Belushi; and Nicholas Braun as Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson.

Other cast members include Cooper Hoffman as NBC head Dick Ebersol; Rachel Sennott as SNL writer and Michael’s wife Rosie Shuster; Matthew Rhys as George Carlin; Jon Batiste as Billy Preston; Finn Wolfhard as an NBC page; J.K Simmons...