Saturday Night is currently generating significant buzz with its theatrical release, and Dan Aykroyd, a major contributor to the NBC sketch comedy, has given his blessings to the movie by calling it a "standalone masterpiece." The biographical comedy-drama captures the behind-the-scenes drama and creative process of airing the very first episode of Saturday Night Live on October 11, 1975, as Lorne Michaels and the rest of the cast and crew swam through the chaos of creating history.
On Friday, which was the 49th anniversary of Saturday Night Live's premiere, Aykroyd took to X to sing praise for the groundbreaking movie. He wrote:
"Cracking a Head to applaud Jason Reitman's triumphant SNL film. Wow! What a propulsive, engaging, funny, beautifully cast and acted, suspenseful, adventurous, music-filled ride. A perfect window into the creative process at its highest level."
As one of the six original cast members in 1975, Aykroyd played a pivotal role in developing what was nothing more than anarchy into an unpredictable and subversive cultural phenomenon. SNL was an immediate hit and Aykroyd's endorsement of Saturday Night holds plenty of weight. He even goes as far as branding it as a worthy candidate for Best Picture.
"Pretty accurate too. I was there that night and got to relive it wonderfully again. Congratulations Gil [Kenan, co-writer], Jason and [producer Jason Blumenfeld]. Don't miss it whether you know the show or not. It is a stand-alone masterpiece and surefire candidate for Best Picture."
Beyond performing memorable sketches like Coneheads and Blues Brothers, Aykroyd contributed to the show's early success as a writer. He even received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series in 1977. With his sense of humor and ability to play odd characters, he helped establish the tone and aesthetic that made SNL so edgy. Which is why casting someone to play his character was tough.
Praise For Dylan O'Brien's Portrayal Of Dan Aykroyd
Saturday Night boasts an impressive cast of characters. Gabriel LaBelle played Lorne Michaels, the executive producer and co-creator of Saturday Night Live; Cory Michael Smith plays Chevy Chase, the very first weekend update anchor on the show; Matt Wood is John Belushi, who was fired and hired from the show a bunch of times but remained popular as the original team member regardless; Andrew Barth Feldman plays Neil Levy, Ella Hunt is Gilda Radner, and Dylan O'Brien stars as Dan Aykroyd.
Jason Reitman, who helmed the project, told Deadline how difficult it was to find someone who could do justice to Aykroyd's unique brand of comedy and intensity. "I feel like we spent a year looking for Dan," he said, adding how O'Brien practically "saved" the film.
"He is brilliantly funny, verbose in a way that you just don't find in other people, his head for detail and language and history. And simultaneously, surprisingly handsome and romantically charismatic. Dylan O'Brien walked in and saved us. I know Dan really well. I grew up with Aykroyd and I've now directed him, so I feel like I could write any scene for Dan Aykroyd at this point. I know his voice well enough. And when I gave Dylan a couple keys to find Aykroyd, suddenly it just clicked open and that was the final piece of the puzzle."
2:11 Related The 15 Greatest SNL Sketches of All Time (with Videos), Ranked
Saturday Night Live has had countless funny, pants-wetting sketches over the last 49 seasons, making it one of the longest-running shows on TV.
Reitman's challenge was not only to find actors who could ease into the personalities of the original cast, but also to make sure they dedicate themselves to the quirks and idiosyncrasies that made them so iconic. Reitman's father, Ivan Reitman, was a frequent collaborator of Aykroyd's. He directed movies like Ghostbusters and Evolution. O'Brien, on the other hand, has displayed his range and versatility as an actor across both film and television. His credits include Stiles Stilinski in Teen Wolf and Thomas in the Maze Runner trilogy.
3.5/5 Saturday Night ComedyDramaHistory
At 11:30pm on October 11th, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. Find out what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live.
Release Date September 27, 2024 Director Jason Reitman Cast Gabriel LaBelle , Rachel Sennott , Cory Michael Smith , Ella Hunt , Dylan O'Brien , Emily Fairn , Matt Wood , Lamorne Morris , Finn Wolfhard , Nicholas Braun , Cooper Hoffman , Andrew Barth Feldman , Kaia Gerber , Matthew Rhys , J. K. Simmons , tommy dewey , Kim Matula Expand
