Columbia Pictures Announces Jason Reitman’s Movie About the First Episode of Saturday Night Live
Columbia Pictures has announced that Jason Reitman’s movie about the first episode of Saturday Night Live will be titled simply Saturday Night, and will hit theaters on October 11. The date coincides with the 49th anniversary of the variety show’s debut in 1975 under its original name NBC’s Saturday Night.
The Movie: An Exploration of the 90 Minutes Leading Up to the First Broadcast
Directed by Jason Reitman and co-written with Gil Kenan based on interviews with those who were there, the movie is an exploration of the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. The film is set to star Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase, Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster, and Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris.
The Soundtrack: Composed by Five-Time Grammy Winner Jon Batiste
The soundtrack for the movie is being composed by five-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste, who will also play the show’s first musical guest, Billy Preston.
Producer Lorne Michaels’ Ambitions
Producer Michaels had big ambitions ahead of the show’s launch. "So much of what Saturday Night Live wanted to be, or what I wanted it to be when it began, was cool," he said later. "This was taking the sensibilities that were in music, stage, and the movies and bringing them to television."
The First Episode: A Mixed Bag
The first episode of Saturday Night Live was not well-received by reviewers, with terms such as "less than auspicious," "lackluster," and "uneven" being used to describe it. Despite this, the episode featured some memorable moments, including the cold open featuring John Belushi and Michael O’Donoghue in a sketch titled "The Wolverines," as well as the "Live from New York" intro, the host’s monologue (featuring George Carlin), and the "Weekend Update" skit.
The Cast
The cast of the movie includes:
- Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels
- Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd
- Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase
- Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster
- Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris
The Movie’s Release Date
Saturday Night will hit theaters on October 11, coinciding with the 49th anniversary of the show’s debut.
Conclusion
Jason Reitman’s movie about the first episode of Saturday Night Live promises to be an exciting and informative look at the early days of the iconic variety show. With a talented cast and a composer who is a five-time Grammy winner, the movie is sure to be a hit with fans of the show.
FAQs
Q: What is the title of the movie about the first episode of Saturday Night Live?
A: The title of the movie is simply Saturday Night.
Q: When will the movie be released?
A: The movie will be released on October 11.
Q: Who is directing the movie?
A: The movie is being directed by Jason Reitman.
Q: Who is composing the soundtrack for the movie?
A: The soundtrack is being composed by five-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste.
Q: Who is playing the show’s first musical guest in the movie?
A: Jon Batiste will be playing the show’s first musical guest, Billy Preston, in the movie.
Q: What is the significance of the movie’s release date?
A: The movie’s release date coincides with the 49th anniversary of the show’s debut in 1975 under its original name NBC’s Saturday Night.
