Peacock’s “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night” is a four-part documentary series to celebrate 50 years of Saturday Night Live. The show’s history is explored in each episode, from the intense casting auditions in “Five Minutes” to the challenging and exhausting writers’ room in “Written By.” It also delves into the tumultuous 11th season, dubbed “The Weird Year,” and the story behind the infamous “More Cowbell” sketch.
The series, made by NBC’s streaming service, is a look back at the show’s long history and an insider’s guide to its success. It’s a mix of nostalgia and behind-the-scenes story telling to appeal to both long-time fans and newbies.
For five decades, the cultural moment has been inextricably linked to Saturday Night Live. Its sketches frequently reflect societal changes, discuss political issues, and make fun of current events. The show has helped many comedians and performers start their careers, making it an important part of television history. Even when it’s not perfect, its ability to adjust shows why it is still important in the entertainment industry.
The Casting Process
The first episode of “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night,” titled “Five Minutes,” offers a close look at the make-or-break auditions that decide who gets to step onto the iconic Studio 8H stage. In front of an unsettlingly quiet and infamously somber Lorne Michaels, aspiring comedians have just five minutes to make an impact. They can perform sketches, impressions, or monologues. It’s a stressful situation where everything feels very important.
In the episode, Amy Poehler, Tracy Morgan, and Bowen Yang watch their old audition tapes with a mix of humor and apparent uneasiness. Their reactions, which are a long process with input from producers and talent scouts, give the audience a sense of how intense—and sometimes absurd—this action can be.
This episode perfectly captures the emotional rollercoaster of the audition process, which is an interesting mix of ambition and anxiety. While some performers, like Jimmy Fallon, made a lasting impact with their Adam Sandler impersonation, others, like Stephen Colbert, were not selected despite their performances in the live ring.
Seeing cast members look back at their younger selves is funny and humbling. Amy Poehler hesitates to start her tape, wincing as she reviews her jokes and how she delivers them. Even the most famous comedians look back on their early days with a mix of pride and embarrassment, as these moments show. They are both relatable and telling.
The episode also highlights how random the audition process can be. Producers discuss how some auditions, even if they have great material, fall flat in front of Michaels and his team while others surprisingly shine. The system relies on gut feelings instead of strict rules, making it stressful for everyone involved.
This episode captures the emotional impact and life-altering potential of this one-of-a-kind chance and examines the mechanics of an audition. For many cast members, this short moment on stage marked the beginning of careers defining modern comedy.
At the same time, the episode raises subtle questions about the exclusivity of this process. Who can audition? Who is the kind of person SNL is looking for? The series doesn’t provide answers, but the tension between ambition, talent, and opportunity permeates every scene, making it a personal and thought-provoking experience.
A Week Inside the SNL Writers’ Room
This episode takes viewers inside the busy and stressful atmosphere of the Saturday Night Live writers’ room as they prepare for a show hosted by Ayo Edebiri. The writing process is demonstrated over six days, starting with pitch meetings on Monday and continuing through Tuesday’s chaotic, late-night writing sessions. There are then table reads, rewrites, practices, and the last-minute rush before the live show.
The episode describes a tough schedule and highlights the people who contribute to the creative process. Writers like Celeste Yim and Jimmy Fowlie are open about the difficulties, giving the audience a look at a work environment that feels energizing and exhausting. The episode’s structure matches the week’s energy, pulling viewers into the fast pace and the ongoing struggle to balance creativity and time limits.
What stands out is the extreme tiredness and determination needed to achieve this situation. A mix of adrenaline and delirium is described as the famed Tuesday all-nighters, during which writers create sketches until dawn. Fowlie considers how the process can make you question your skills while pushing you to improve. Yim jokes about barely being coherent when their work is presented at Wednesday’s table read.
Writing the sketches is only one part of the job. Writers serve as producers for their performances, working with set designers to create props, giving performers feedback, and adjusting each line to ensure it lands in front of a live audience. Though it’s impossible to ignore the toll the sketch process takes on those involved, watching these sketches develop from rough pitches to polished performances is interesting.
The episode openly shows flaws in the system. Some writers question how long they can keep up with the demands of the job, and they freely discuss the stress on their mental health. A strange, almost addictive connection to the chaos of writing for live television exists, but there is also a deep love for the work.
One of the most notable aspects of the episode is how little the process has changed since the show started in the 1970s. Tina Fey says the system is competitive, with writers always trying to secure their spot in the final lineup. The competition environment can be exciting for some people but overwhelming for others.
The camaraderie that results from writers coming together over rejected sketches and late-night brainstorming is undeniably endearing. In a field where creative work processes are being reinvented more and more, it’s difficult to ignore how archaic this method feels. Why stick with a system that many consider to be harsh? Although the tension between tradition and progress is present throughout the episode, it doesn’t fully explore this question.
This episode is a real treat for Saturday Night Live fans. It provides a live and honest look at the chaos behind the scenes, which feels rare. Watching the creative process, with its clumsy mistakes and bright ideas, is enjoyable.
However, the episode could have explored the system more deeply. Although it’s interesting to watch, the Writers’ Room begs more serious questions about sustainability than it answers. Is this process still the best way to make live comedy? Could the structure be changed to better help the people who make the show possible? The episode talks about these problems but doesn’t go deep enough to question how things are. Instead, it feels more like a loving honor to a practice that has problems but keeps going strong.
More Cowbell – A Sketch Dissected
This episode examines the sketch “More Cowbell,” which debuted in 2000, in greater detail. Featuring Will Ferrell and Christopher Walken, it’s a behind-the-scenes study of how a simple, absurd idea turned into an enduring comedic moment. For show fans, this is a thorough examination of the mechanics of a sketch that somehow became famous despite—or perhaps because of—its absurdity.
The episode examines why a particular sketch became popular with audiences and how it became relevant after it aired. It includes interviews with cast members, writers, and Blue Öyster Cult.
It’s hard not to laugh at the idea of a young Ferrell obsessing over a minor background sound in a rock song, only to turn that fixation into a career-defining moment. This was the inspiration for “More Cowbell.” The sketch originally had a cowbell instead of a woodblock, which shows that sometimes the best moments come from last-minute changes.
SNL director Beth McCarthy-Miller remembers Ferrell’s big performance, where he wore a tight shirt and kept banging a cowbell, which made the cast laugh and caused them to lose their focus during rehearsals. Christopher Walken’s famous line about needing “more cowbell” added a layer of bizarre deadpan humor, giving the sketch a live balance. Even the members of Blue Öyster Cult say they hadn’t heard the cowbell in their song until the sketch highlighted it.
A strange little comedy stuck in the public’s mind, “More Cowbell” became one of SNL’s most quoted and referenced sketches. A moment that still makes people laugh decades later was made by Ferrell’s dedication to physical comedy and Walken’s unrivaled ability to make the absurd sound authoritative.
Who would have thought a cowbell joke would be so popular? It’s the kind of humor that doesn’t work well on paper. Maybe that’s where the magic is: fully accepting the strange and surprising. A testament to the strength of silly, unfiltered comedy, the sketch still feels new years after its initial airing.
The Weird Year – Season 11’s Infamous Struggles
Season 11 of Saturday Night Live (1985-1986) is known for being one of the show’s most chaotic and inconsistent seasons. When Lorne Michaels returned to the show after a five-year hiatus, he made the risky choice to start over with a completely new cast.
Instead of using experienced sketch comedians, the lineup included surprising picks like Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Michael Hall, and Joan Cusack. Although each person was talented, the group didn’t have the right chemistry and timing for live sketch comedy.
NBC was keeping a close eye on everything happening and was already questioning whether SNL had reached the end of its run. There was a lot of pressure to do well, which led to a difficult season. The cast didn’t connect well, the sketches were inconsistent, and the general tone was unclear.
The episode looks at some of this season’s most famous and chaotic moments. One notable event was Damon Wayan’s live protest. In a sketch, he ignored the script because he was tired of not being used enough, and he fully transformed into a flamboyant policeman. It was a funny moment, but it got him fired. Ironically, it’s one of the few positive things people look back on from that season.
Then, there was a strange experiment of having Francis Ford Coppola direct an episode. Coppola tried to turn the show into something closer to art-house theater instead of following the usual pattern. Critics didn’t like it; viewers were confused, and it showed how off-track the show was during this time.
By the end of the season, most of the cast was let go. Jon Lovitz was one of the few who stayed on SNL, helping to connect the show to a new generation of stars like Phil Hartman and Dana Carvey.
Season 11 is often seen as a low point for Saturday Night Live but also a testament to the show’s resilience in the face of adversity. The chaos, though annoying for those affected, led to new opportunities for change. The fact that Lorne Michaels has said so little about this era still leaves one with a sense of frustration. His silence makes important decisions this season, like hiring and changes, seem unclear.
There’s something oddly endearing about this time, though. It reminds us that even famous organizations can make mistakes. Season 11 may not have been great TV, but it’s a significant part of the story of a show that has always been willing to take chances, even if they don’t work.
Reflections on SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
Saturday Night Live is presented as a comedy powerhouse that has remained a cultural touchstone for decades in SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, which places a lot of nostalgia. The series features interviews with cast members, hosts, and writers, showing how the show has positively impacted comedy, politics, and pop culture.
The series is given a personal touch by moments like Tina Fey talking about the chaos of writing for “Weekend Update” or Eddie Murphy remembering his early sketches, which remind viewers of the strong emotions the show has created over the years.
While it’s fun to watch, this happy tone often overlooks some of SNL’s more complicated or contentious moments. Sure, it’s fun to watch, but sometimes, the show takes shortcuts and avoids difficult discussions about its role in a changing media environment.
Although the series acknowledges SNL’s diversity struggles—its early season problems, rocky seasons, and the occasional flop—it doesn’t dwell on these issues for too long to encourage further thought. For example, SNL’s history with representation is touched upon, but the investigation is superficial, giving more weight to the progress made than the challenges met. Strangely, the sketch comedy series doesn’t talk more about how SNL still matters in today’s divided media landscape, especially given how online platforms and shorter attention spans are reshaping sketch comedy.
Not looking further into the show’s effect leaves some information missing. Not that viewers want to criticize SNL, but for a series this ambitious, there’s a chance to explore how the show shapes and is shaped by social norms.
With celebrity-packed moments and classic sketch recaps, SNL50 provides casual viewers with laughs and nostalgia. Dedicated fans will appreciate the in-depth stories from behind the scenes and thoughts from the cast. However, the series eventually feels like it’s bolstering SNL’s big reputation rather than critically examining its history. That’s not necessarily bad; it’s just that by remaining firmly in nostalgia mode, the show misses the opportunity to deal with the complexities that have characterized SNL for years.
Reflecting on 50 Years of Comedy
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night is a loving look at the show’s long past, celebrating how it has influenced comedy and pop culture. It reminds viewers why Saturday Night Live has remained a staple in American entertainment through behind-the-scenes stories and cast reflections. The show’s tension (and occasionally chaos) that shaped it from season to season will be remembered by fans, who will also enjoy hearing the sketches that inspired them.
The series, however, feels reluctant to delve too deeply into the more complex parts of SNL’s storyline. Although they are touched on, topics like its struggles with diversity and uneven treatment of gender representation are not explored. Its role in today’s entertainment world, focused on viral material and online comedy, is recognized but not closely examined. The series doesn’t seem particularly interested in challenging the perception of SNL as an inertia-defying aspect of TV history.
SNL50 is fun and brings back good memories. It catches the humor, chaos, and resiliency that have helped SNL in the last five decades while avoiding the difficult questions about its legacy. Even though it leaves you wanting more insight into how this comedy tradition fits into the changing world, it’s a fun watch.
The Review
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night is a fun look back at the 50 years of Saturday Night Live, featuring entertaining stories and memorable moments. It brings back the humor and chaos that have made the show famous, but it doesn't look any closer at its more complex past, such as its struggles with diversity or its relevance to today's world. It's a good watch for long-time fans, but those looking deeper into the show's impact might be disappointed.
PROS
- Entertaining and nostalgic look at Saturday Night Live's history.
- Features engaging behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes from cast and hosts.
- Revisits iconic sketches that defined eras of comedy.
CONS
- Avoids meaningful discussions about diversity and representation.
- Lacks critical depth when exploring the show’s controversies or struggles.
- Misses opportunities to analyze SNL’s role in today’s changing media landscape.
- Feels overly celebratory and selective in its storytelling.
- May leave casual viewers or critics wanting a more nuanced exploration.
