Five Reasons You Need to Watch 50 Years of SNL Music

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The 50th anniversary of the iconic show “Saturday Night Live” has been commemorated in various ways, including a Peacock docuseries detailing its history, a movie by Jason Reitman exploring its origins, and magazine cover shoots featuring the countless stars who launched their careers on Studio 8H. There have been numerous anniversary specials, documentaries, books, and oral histories that have delved into “SNL’s” impact on American culture. However, it was thought there might not be anything fresh to discuss about “SNL”. But then came the release of “Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music“, offering a unique perspective on this long-running television program.

This over two-hour documentary is an incredibly spectacular tribute to the pop stars and songs that made the NBC late-night show famous for launching musicians and comedians. Directed by Questlove and Oz Rodriguez, a regular director at Saturday Night Live, this documentary takes you on a comprehensive, dynamic, and genuinely exciting journey through five decades of rock, hip-hop, punk, and other genres inside 30 Rock. It premiered earlier this week on NBC and is now available for streaming on Peacock. If you’ve been hesitant to watch it, here are five compelling reasons why you should pause what you’re doing right now and press play on this incredible compilation of performances from some of the best musical artists (and comedians masquerading as musicians) ever.

1.
The opening montage is amazing

Instead of starting this documentary with numerous interviews of prominent figures discussing why music has been crucial to SNL‘s achievements, another director might have chosen to do so. However, in the opening seven-minute montage of Ladies & Gentlemen, a more dynamic approach is taken. This segment primarily offers an exhilarating audio and visual journey through significant musical milestones in SNL‘s history, skillfully orchestrated by DJ Questlove’s signature blend of catchy and unexpected rhythm.

In 2005, Franz Ferdinand’s song “Take Me Out” was played alongside Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” creating a unique mashup where it seemed as though these two tracks were meant for each other. Moreover, the seamless transition between Queen’s “Under Pressure,” Dave Matthews Band’s “Ants Marching,” and Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” not only echoed through speakers but also encapsulated the diverse yet interconnected musical styles of the show’s performers throughout its history. From the outset, this energetic introduction sets the tone for the entire documentary, as Questlove and Rodriguez effortlessly move from topic to topic with a natural flow.

2.
It features clips that you have probably never seen or completely forgot about

In summary, it’s quite straightforward to locate old SNL sketches over the internet, but musical performances can be harder to find due to copyright issues. As a result, many of the videos in the documentary Ladies & Gentlemen seem unusual, either because they are entirely new to viewers or so old that they have been forgotten. This is why it’s exciting to rediscover rare gems like Prince dancing enthusiastically to “Partyup” in 1981, David Bowie performing “The Man Who Sold the World” while wearing a plastic tuxedo during the same year, or the Funky 4 + 1, a rap group from the Bronx who managed to perform on the show thanks to Debbie Harry’s insistence, debuting national television’s first rap performance in 1981. Even clips that don’t involve performances, such as Charles Barkley and Nirvana members goofing around during a promo shoot, feel like long-lost treasures that have been rediscovered.

3.
It’s thorough — really thorough

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve immersed myself in every single episode of Saturday Night Live during my creative journey, and the influence is palpable throughout this project, “Ladies & Gentlemen.” Unlike certain SNL histories that focus disproportionately on its early years, this work offers a comprehensive exploration of all eras. While it delves deeply into rock and rap, it skillfully encapsulates the rich tapestry of genres – country, reggae, classical – that have pulsed through Studio 8H over the decades.

This book dives deep into the hectic schedule of two popular artists, Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish, who graced both hosting and musical performances on SNL. It acknowledges the musical imitations and creations of certain cast members, with Eddie Murphy, usually quiet during SNL retrospectives, discussing his renditions of James Brown and Stevie Wonder. Notably, it delves into the impact of the Lonely Island. Furthermore, it examines how SNL serves as a platform for both personal and political advancements – showcasing Adele’s surge in popularity after her first SNL appearance and Sinead O’Connor’s controversial 1992 performance where she tore up a picture of the Pope during “War” by Bob Marley. The book also includes behind-the-scenes footage, such as Sinead O’Connor holding up a picture of a child during dress rehearsal to keep SNL’s crew unaware of her plans. If Questlove and Rodriguez missed any significant, relevant aspect about SNL music, I can’t seem to find it.

4.
The behind-the-scenes footage of controversial moments will make you as tense as someone who actually works at SNL

The documentary recounts instances such as Ashlee Simpson’s lip-syncing mishap at Saturday Night Live in 2004, where her previously performed track played instead of the intended one, exposing her lip-syncing. It also features the commotion backstage, with a director frantically yelling “Wrong song, wrong song!” A particularly intriguing segment involves Kanye West’s outburst in 2016 when he discovered that lighting designers had removed some reflective materials from his stage setup. Enraged, he stormed offstage and shouted, “I am 50 percent more influential than any other human being! Don’t mess with me!” to seemingly no one. These real-life blunders add an authentic touch to the documentary, making viewers feel like they’re right in the thick of the chaos on a live show night when things unexpectedly go awry.

5.
It does not shy away from critiquing SNL itself.

The documentary unflinchingly examines some challenging musical moments on Saturday Night Live. It delves into some genuinely disastrous performances, like Miles Davis in 1981, who seemed out of sorts and frequently faced away from the camera, and Captain Beefheart’s chaotic performance in 1980. (Although it doesn’t discuss Lana Del Rey’s infamous performance from 2012, Questlove has shared that he requested an interview with her, but she chose not to participate.)

The documentary subtly showcases how a once rebellious stronghold has evolved into mainstream society, carrying a hypocrisy deeply ingrained within it. The debate about the O’Connor controversy reveals how quickly people abandoned her for expressing views on church abuse, an issue she herself had experienced. It’s disheartening that such statements were only acknowledged after her death, as Lorne Michaels admires both her courage and sincerity. This underscores the appalling fact that at the time when O’Connor needed support most, no one was willing to speak up. Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine recalls SNL’s amusingly paradoxical booking of their band as musical guests in 1996, on the same week Steve Forbes, an unsuitable host with political leanings, hosted the show. Morello remarks, “How ironic,” hinting at the likely outcome. Unfortunately, Rage Against the Machine were escorted out of 30 Rock before they could perform their second song.

In certain aspects, it could be argued that SNL’s most rebellious act was when Michaels left the show in 1980. If it had ended then, it would have been forever etched in history as a late-night provocateur defying the establishment, much like some of the musicians who graced its stage. However, it eventually became mainstream, which gave it strength and sway, but at the cost of diluting the countercultural essence that made it so appealing initially. Questlove and Rodriguez capture this dichotomy beautifully while providing a lively, concise account of its history in their book “Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music”. This tribute album is truly remarkable, leaving you eager to listen to it again as soon as the final track ends.

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2025-01-31 00:55