Starting in 1975 and being a successful show ever since, this year marks the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live. In recognition of their fifty years of production, the movie Saturday Night brings the audience to the stressful hour-and-a-half before the show’s premiere, focusing on creator Lorne Michaels’—portrayed by Gabriel LaBelle—attempts to get his cast and crew ready for the big moment. 

From the very start of the movie, the audience is placed directly into the stress-inducing chaos experienced the night of the premiere, emphasizing the limited time before the live broadcast and uncertainty about the show’s success. Despite its fast pace, however, each main member of the ensemble cast is given their moment to shine. 

George Carlin, the first ever host of SNL, was very vocal about his distaste for the show’s premise. Playing him in Saturday Night, Matthew Rhys portrayed this to perfection despite his limited time on screen. Matt Wood brings life to long-deceased John Belushi, telling the complex story of the comedian’s disbelief in the show and unwillingness to be a part of it. Lamorne Morris demonstrates Garret Morris’ uncertainty about his own part, and Cory Michael Smith is absorbed into his role as Chevy Chase, bringing forward the older actor’s charm, which gained him traction early in his own career. Unfortunately, most of the female cast members are sidelined besides writer Rosie Shuster, portrayed by Rachel Sennott. 

Saturday Night is clearly made from a place of love, with set design eerily matching the backdrops and props used in the first episode. Jon Batiste, who does double duty with his portrayal of singer Billy Preston and as the composer of the film, made sure to bring members of the Saturday Night Live Band to help compose the score. And the film makes sure to shout out long time art director Leo ‘Akira’ Yoshimura with an inside joke about him being gone within a week. 

The film ends by reenacting the first ever skit broadcasted, stating the famous lines “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” which opens every show.