Peacock Debuts SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night Trailer
Perhaps the most iconic line an actor dreams of saying is “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” Saturday Night Live has brought millions of laughs and unparalleled entertainment to living rooms for nearly five decades and they’re not stopping anytime soon. Ahead of the show’s 50th anniversary live special, Peacock is releasing a four-part docuseries titled SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night. The series will dive into the show's creation, the iconic sketches, the legendary writers’ room, and everything in between.
The documentary comes from Emmy and Academy Award-winning executive producer Morgan Neville, with each episode providing an inside look at the makings of the iconic sketch-comedy program. Neville expressed his excitement for the series, stating, “I’ve been obsessed with Saturday Night Live as long as I can remember. For SNL50, I’ve been lucky to collaborate with some of my favorite independent filmmakers to tell some deeper stories of SNL. Taken together, these standalone episodes give a new perspective of SNL and what makes it work.”
Over 60 contributors are featured in the series including Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Tom Hanks, Bowen Yang, Seth Meyers, Jason Sudeikis, Kenan Thompson, and so many more. Each episode will give audiences a different behind-the-scenes peek at the making of SNL and its historic run leading up to the 50th anniversary special. Episode one will cover securing a coveted spot in the cast with never-before-seen footage of audition tapes and stories from some of the show’s most iconic names.
Ever wondered how your favorite sketch came to be? Episode two will dive into the chaotic magic of the writers’ room. So many sketches have withstood the test of time, such as “Debbie Downer” and “Celebrity Jeopardy!” However, there’s one sketch that everyone knows: “More Cowbell.” Episode three will explore how one simple idea like “More Cowbell” can skyrocket into a beloved cultural phenomenon that remains a cornerstone of sketch-comedy history 25 years later. The final episode will recount SNL’s 11th season, when the program was on the brink of cancellation. We’ll learn what Lorne Michaels and the team did to change the game and solidify SNL as the comedy powerhouse it remains to be today.
All four episodes of SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night hit Peacock on January 16, with the 50th anniversary Saturday Night Live special airing on February 16 on NBC and Peacock.
