Plot Synopsis

SNL50: BEYOND SATURDAY NIGHT is a four-part documentary that spotlights different elements of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE's history and legacy, exploring the intricacies of the legendary sketch comedy series. Featuring more than 60 contributors, including SNL alumni, and covering decades of SNL history, the series offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most iconic hallmarks of the American late night comedy institution. Executive produced by Academy and Emmy Award winner Morgan Neville, each episode reveals new insights into the show's rich history, pulling back the curtain on everything from the writers' room to the famed audition process. All four installments of SNL50: BEYOND SATURDAY NIGHT dropped on Thursday, January 16, 2025 on Peacock:

"Five Minutes": A showcase of the SNL audition process, with never-before-seen audition footage and firsthand accounts from some of the show's most iconic names as they reflect on their preparation and journey to the SNL stage. Directed by Robert Alexander. Featured contributors: Ayala Cohen, Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Beck Bennett, Bill Hader, Bobby Moynihan, Bowen Yang, Cheri Oteri, David Spade, Ego Nwodim, Fred Armisen, Heidi Gardner, Jason Sudeikis, Jay Pharaoh, Jeff Blake, Joe Piscopo, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kenan Thompson, Kyle Mooney, Lindsay Shookus, Marci Klein, Mike Shoemaker, Molly Shannon, Nasim Pedrad, Pete Davidson, Stephen Colbert and Tracy Morgan.

"Written By: A Week Inside The SNL Writers Room": A behind-the-scenes look at the SNL writing process from script to screen, capturing the creativity and chaos of a week inside the writers' room at SNL. Directed by Marshall Curry. Featured contributors: Alan Zweibel, Alex English, Al Franken, Andrew Dismukes, Asha Ward, Ben Marshall, Bob Odenkirk, Bryan Tucker, Ceara O'Sullivan, Celeste Yim, Emily Spivey, Harper Steele, Jim Downey, Jimmy Fowlie, John Higgins, John Mulaney, Larry David, Louie Zakarian, Marilyn Miller, Martin Herlihy, Paula Pell, Robert Smigel, Sarah Silverman, Seth Meyers, Simon Rich, Steve Higgins, Streeter Seidell, Tina Fey and Will Stephen.

"More Cowbell": A deep dive into the making of SNL's iconic "More Cowbell" sketch, exploring how a simple idea became a cultural phenomenon and offering a tribute to the lasting impact of sketch comedy. Directed by Neil Berkeley. Featured contributors: Akira Yoshimura, Albert Bouchard, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Bruce Dickinson, Buck Dharma, Cara Hannah, Chris Kattan, Chris Parnell, Dana Carvey, Dave Grohl, Dave Itzkoff, Darrell Hammond, Eamon Cunningham, Eric Bloom, Fred Armisen, Jimmy Fallon, Jodi Mancuso, John Karpi, Josh Homme, Keith Raywood, Larry Demler, Louie Zakarian, Murray Krugman, Rachel Dratch, Tom Broecker, Will Ferrell and David Lucas.

"Season 11: The Weird Year": An exploration into SNL's 11th season, examining the pivotal year that reset the show's direction and cemented its enduring DNA with Lorne Michaels at the helm. Directed by Jason Zeldes. Featured contributors: A. Whitney Brown, Al Franken, Andy Breckman, Anthony Michael Hall, Billy Crystal, Carol Leifer, Damon Wayans, George Meyer, George Wendt, Griffin Dunne, James Andrew Miller, Jim Downey, John Lithgow, Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, Laila Nabulsi, Mark McKinney, Nora Dunn, Penn & Teller, Robert Smigel, Terry Sweeney and Tom Hanks. Additional archival interviews include Bernie Brillstein, Lorne Michaels, Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Davis.