A Disappointing Look Back at Saturday Night Live’s Origins

The current state of Saturday Night Live has become a shadow of its former self, often feeling more like avant-garde performance art than a comedy show. This shift has led many to reminisce about its past glory, when the show was known for its sharp writing and groundbreaking performances. Jason Reitman, a longtime fan and writer-director known for Juno, has attempted to capture this nostalgia with his new film Saturday Night. This movie takes viewers back to the show’s very first episode in 1975 and the chaotic lead-up to it.

Despite Reitman’s deep affection for the show, Saturday Night fails to deliver. The film, running for 109 minutes, never manages to rise above a fan service piece. Co-written with Gil Kenan, it lacks the ability to transform from a hyper-specific homage into a story with broader appeal or significance. Reitman’s previous work, such as Young Adult, showed his talent for crafting meaningful narratives, but this film falls short of engaging or adding depth to the origin story of SNL.

Saturday Night enters a crowded field of origin stories, from films about Uber and Tetris to parody projects like Jerry Seinfeld’s Pop-Tarts movie. Many of these projects suffer from the same issue: they assume interest simply because the subject is popular. Reitman’s film does not escape this trap, offering little more than a superficial look at the early days of SNL. It lacks clear emotional and dramatic beats, relying too heavily on the historical context without providing much real insight or entertainment.

The film features several actors, including Cooper Hoffman as exec Dick Ebersol, Rachel Sennott as writer Rosie Shuster, and Nicholas Braun in dual roles as Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson. However, their performances are underwhelming, often feeling like mere costumes rather than full-fledged characters. Female characters, such as Gilda Radner, are particularly marginalized, portrayed with less depth and significance.

While Reitman’s recreation of 1970s NBC is visually authentic, it does not translate into a compelling experience. The film often feels like a disjointed tour of the studio, leaving viewers lost and frustrated. The attempt to relive the excitement of SNL’s early days results in a film that, despite its historical accuracy, fails to captivate or engage.

Saturday Night aims to celebrate the beginnings of a beloved show but ultimately misses the mark. It is a nostalgic look back that lacks the necessary depth and entertainment value to truly connect with audiences. The film is an attempt to honor a comedy legacy that ends up feeling more like an unremarkable trip down memory lane.