It’s not good for what is still intended to be a live, breathing comedy show that Saturday Night Live has become legendary. That much was evident from the two films that debuted simultaneously last weekend: one on the origins of the series and the other about the last season of the show. Friday saw the publication of Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night, a tender but flimsy fictional depiction of the ninety minutes before the debut show in 1975. The following evening, one could have fast-forwarded nearly fifty years to witness the dull and unenthusiastic start of Saturday Night Live’s 50th season.
Both imply the extent to which the show’s mythology has surpassed its actuality.
Of course, SNL has earned its reputation. It has permeated American culture and changed television comedy. In 2004, Rachel Dratch began portraying the pessimistic Debbie Downer character. These days, “Debbie Downer” just refers to a wet blanket. Even a brief list of the comedic actors the show has produced is impressive, including talk-show hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, as well as Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, and Tina Fey.
