Saturday Night

Saturday Night is a 2010 documentary film directed by James Franco. The film examines the production process of the NBC late-night live television sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. Shot over a period of six days from December 1–6, 2008, the film was originally a school assignment for Franco at New York University. The film premiered at the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival on March 14, 2010, and then was shelved for several years due to legal matters regarding its distributor and NBC. It was released on September 26, 2014 on Hulu. Cast John Malkovich James Franco Lorne Michaels Bill Hader John Mulaney Fred Armisen Seth Meyers Kenan Thompson Bobby Moynihan Will Forte Casey Wilson Andy Samberg Darrell Hammond Steve Higgins Amy Poehler Kristen Wiig Simon Rich T.I. Michaela Watkins Don Roy King Summary The film begins at the Monday morning pitch meeting, in which writers submit jokes. By Tuesday, writers are staying up all night to complete their sketches for the following day's table read. Fifty sketches are submitted, and only nine are broadcast. The film follows the construction of sets, rehearsals, and the eventual live show.