Questlove’s SNL Music Doc Is the Must-See Scene of 2025

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In a surprising turn of events, a particular scene from the seemingly ordinary documentary titled ‘Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music’, available on Peacock, has become one of the most impactful movie moments in 2025. Ordinarily, creating a documentary about the musical history of Saturday Night Live, to celebrate its five decades on-air, might seem like an uncomplicated task for many filmmakers – collect relevant clips and gather talking head interviews, and let the show’s reputation carry the rest. However, this was not the approach taken by veteran SNL member Oz Rodriguez and musician-turned-filmmaker Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, who directed the documentary. They chose to go beyond the ordinary, creating a truly memorable cinematic experience.

For the initial seven and a half minutes, the movie deviates from its usual documentary format. Instead, it presents an eclectic musical medley, blending together an assortment of SNL musical guest performances from the past five decades in surprising pairings. This unique opening sequence brilliantly illustrates the profound impact Saturday Night Live has had on contemporary music, a notion that no interview could effectively convey as succinctly.

SNL’s Musical Mix

In the run-up to its 50th anniversary special, SNL shared an array of additional content, and since this material is self-made, it naturally emphasizes the program’s influence in pop culture. To put it simply, the documentary titled “Ladies & Gentlemen…” suggests that Saturday Night Live has significantly shaped American musical culture for five decades. The manner in which Thompson and Rodriguez present their case makes it difficult to dispute. The film moves between SNL’s early days, where it provided a stage for punk, hip-hop, jazz, and avant-garde artists, many of whom had never been on national television before, and its later years as a trendsetter in popular music.

The discussion encompasses some of the iconic musical scenes from the series, ranging from Sinead O’Connor’s powerful protest and Ashlee Simpson’s lip-sync mishap to the groundbreaking Digital Shorts by The Lonely Island. A particularly resonant part delves into the show’s impact on hip-hop, tracing back to the historic first televised performance by a rap group, which was by The Funky Four + 1 More in 1981.

Thompson is primarily recognized for his role as the drummer in the hip-hop ensemble The Roots, who have been producing critically acclaimed albums since the ’90s and more recently are famous for being the house band on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon . He’s known for his vast musical knowledge, and the film’s opening keeps pace with a thrilling rhythm that befits a drummer and DJ. It establishes a shared beat among various diverse guests, connecting their performances in split screen to form collaborations that might seem unlikely. In fact, it’s hard to imagine Busta Rhymes, TLC, and renowned vocalist Bobby McFerrin ever sharing a stage, but Thompson and Rodriguez manage to make it seem completely natural.

In simpler terms, the medley presented in the movie might be considered as more effectively capturing SNL’s musical history than any other part of the film. Music has always played a crucial role in the show, ever since its debut with Billy Preston and his band performing at Studio 8H. The medley’s clever combinations demonstrate the impressive array of artists who have graced the SNL stage, spanning various genres. The movie suggests that SNL essentially serves as an archive of American music from its start, and the opening certainly reinforces this idea.

Questlove Is the Music Doc Reigning Champ

To begin, let me clarify that Thompson is no stranger to directing music documentaries. In fact, this skill was showcased in the 2021 release titled “Summer of Soul.” This captivating documentary rekindled our connection with the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, a remarkable free concert series graced by an astounding roster of iconic artists. Remarkably, all this was captured on film at the time, yet it remained untouched for decades due to a lack of interest in transforming it into a movie.

However, Thompson managed to uncover the original footage and utilized it to narrate the festival’s tale. He skillfully blended interviews with artists who performed there, as well as eyewitness accounts from attendees, to create a compelling narrative of this historic event.

Similar to his Saturday Night Live movie, it’s a thrilling depiction of its subject, highlighting his abilities in creating rhythm and editing musical segments for maximum effect. One can only imagine what the uncensored footage would offer, as the film leaves you yearning for the complete performances.

SNL is exceptional, yet Thompson stands out as a prodigious talent, crafting his films with a keen sense of rhythm and an intimate grasp of the musicians themselves; his documentaries are truly unique.

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2025-05-18 22:37