Saturday Night Live: The Book

by Alison Castle (Editor)

On October 11, 1975 at 11:30 p.m., NBC viewers who tuned in to the network's new late night show saw a sketch featuring John Belushi repeating, in a thick foreign accent, nonsensical phrases about wolverines being read to him by head writer Michael O'Donohue. Abruptly, O'Donohue clutched his heart and collapsed onto the floor. Belushi paused, raised his eyebrow, and then did the same. Posing as the stage manager, Chevy Chase entered the set and feigned confusion before breaking character and announcing to the camera: "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"

In that instant, television, which had long been out of touch with the young and hip, experienced the first seismic tremors of a major paradigm shift. TV comedy as we know it today owes it all to Saturday Night Live, the show that dared to take risks (not least the fact that it's broadcast live), challenge the censors, and celebrate the work of offbeat writer-performers. Hundreds of gifted and dedicated people have contributed to Saturday Night Live over the years, and this book pays homage to their groundbreaking work. The list of esteemed alumni, most of whom were complete unknowns when they debuted on SNL, reads like a Who's Who of the past 4 decades in comedy: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Al Franken, Eddie Murphy, Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Conan O'Brien, Chris Rock, Will Ferrell, Tracy Morgan, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kristin Wiig, Seth Meyers, Fred Armisen, and Bill Hader—to name just a few.

Now, as SNL celebrates its 40th anniversary, TASCHEN brings you the ultimate tribute to the show. To research this book, editor and author Alison Castle was given not only full access to SNL's archives, but also the rare opportunity to watch the cast and crew at work. She spent the better part of season 39 in the trenches, learning how everything comes together in just six days for the live performance. Part encyclopedia and part behind-the-scenes tour, Saturday Night Live: The Book covers both the making of the show and its remarkable history.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, History, Photography, Tv, Cultural, Comedy

500 pages, Hardcover

First published February 25, 2015

Reviews

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book for the die hard SNL fan.

[Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book 5 stars because it is primarily a coffee table book filled with hundreds of outstanding photographs. Of the 500 pages in this oversized book, there are probably only about 30 of text. But, the text is very interesting as it spends more time describing the behind-the-scenes activities required to produce the show week after week, year after year. The interview with Lorne Michaels is also very enlightening. I would have liked to have seen more interviews and backstage stories, but there are several other books that cover that ground (including Tom Shales' classic from about 12 years ago).

[Cindy Kleback · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very visual history of a groundbreaking TV show. Really enjoyed learning about the crazy schedule the cast, crew, and host follow to put together a show each week. The photos are fantastic. A must read for any fan of SNL.

[kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's quite the book. I think it would make a good coffee table book as opposed to something you just sit down and read like I did.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not only a LOT of great pictures and history, but a run through of what a week is like working on the show.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real treat for any SNL fan. This highly visual and well designed book looks back at SNL beginning with its debut.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3

40 years of my number one obsession in book form! I spent days pouring over every inch of this book!

[Ben Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could step into so many of these pictures. A brilliant if breezy runthrough a programme that never fails to fascinate me.

[Michelle Stergar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun to read and be reminded of why it was so great to watch!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A monster size book looking at the majority of the SNL team from start to finish (even that dreaded season 6 some want to forget). This incorporates behind-the-scenes descriptions and photos of the process to begin the first portion of the book. After that a second portion is focused on the the sketches through the ages in photos from the makeup rooms to the dress rehearsals. I can see some sketches may have inspired later sketches as well. "D*ck in a box" needs to give a tip of the hat to a certain Chris Parnell's 1999 sketch. Truly, I got to say some of those dress rehearsals sketches are missed. What I would have given to see the 2012 Vincent Price's 1967 Halloween special with Janis Joplin (done by Kate Mckinnon) is beyond normal words; and probably would involve excited expletives and onomatopoeia. The third act of the book lays out each seasons' guest schedules and bumpers up to season 39 (2013-2014). It is an amazing compendium, and I hope in 2024 Taschen updates to a second editon adding in the next generation and their highlights.
*This is perfect timing as well as I'm watching a 2012 rerun of Dwayne Johnson's episode.