Attention all Saturday Night Live fans: Make some room on your bookshelves. The 50th anniversary edition of Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live hits stores today.
Originally published in 1986, Saturday Night—co-authored by Doug Hill and Jeff Weingrad—is the definitive account of SNL‘s first ten years and remains one of the most influential books ever written about the iconic NBC show. With SNL’s milestone 50th season now in full swing, it was time for an update.
The book’s 50th anniversary edition includes a new introduction and nearly 50 photographs of the cast, crew, and sketches, providing readers with what its publisher describes as “a visual journey through the show’s early years.”
The book’s authors, Hill and Weingrad, are journalists who have also contributed to major outlets such as The Associated Press, The New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, TV Guide, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, and Advertising Age.
Although they were not involved in Jason Reitman‘s SNL biopic (also titled Saturday Night), Hill and Weingrad devote an entire chapter of their book to the show’s premiere, an account that remains the most detailed and illuminating 35 years after its original publication.
Also covered in extensive detail is the disastrous year following Lorne Michaels‘ 1980 departure, which saw the show come very close to being cancelled.
The 50th anniversary edition of Saturday Night is available to order now.
