Fifty sketches are submitted each week for Saturday Night Live, but only nine make it to the live broadcast.
Synopsis
Fifty sketches are submitted each week for Saturday Night Live, but only nine make it to the live broadcast.
Synopsis
On a Monday morning in December 2008, writers gather at NBC for the pitch meeting of Saturday Night Live. They submit jokes and brainstorm sketches for the upcoming live show. Directed by James Franco, the documentary captures the intense week-long process of creating one episode, from late-night writing sessions to set construction and rehearsals. Key figures such as Lorne Michaels and Bill Hader provide insight into the demands of live television. The film premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March 2010 and was later released on Hulu in September 2014.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See John Malkovich pitch jokes for SNL
- Follow writers pulling all-nighters for sketches
- Meet the cast during intense rehearsals
Did You Know
- The film was shot over six days from December 1–6, 2008.
- Only nine out of fifty sketches submitted were broadcast.
- The film premiered at the SXSW Film Festival on March 14, 2010.
- Franco needed approval from Lorne Michaels and John Malkovich to proceed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed the documentary Saturday Night?
James Franco directed the documentary Saturday Night.
When did Saturday Night premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival?
Saturday Night premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival on March 14, 2010.
What was the original purpose of the film Saturday Night?
The film was originally a school assignment for James Franco at New York University.
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