Saturday Night is now in theaters, and at least one person who was there has given his seal of approval.
After seeing the Jason Reitman-helmed film about the 90 minutes before the first Saturday Night Live broadcast in 1975, OG cast member Dan Aykroyd took to social media with a rave review on Friday, which also marked the 49th anniversary of the NBC sketch comedy show’s debut.
“Cracking a Head to applaud Jason Reitman’s triumphant SNL film,” he wrote on X. “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.”
Aykroyd added, “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.”
Saturday Night takes place on October 11, 1975, as a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers change television forever. Formerly titled SNL 1975, the film tells the true story of what happened behind the scenes that night in the 90 minutes leading up to the first-ever broadcast of SNL.
Co-writer and director Reitman previously told Deadline that Aykroyd was the “hardest to cast,” but Dylan O’Brien “saved” the film with his portrayal. “I feel like we spent a year looking for Dan,” he said.
“Dan is tricky,” added Jason, whose late father Ivan Reitman directed Aykroyd in Ghostbusters (1984), Ghostbusters II (1989) and Evolution (2001). Jason also worked with the actor when he helmed the sequels Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024).
“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,” he explained. “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.”
Meanwhile, SNL‘s milestone 50th season is underway, with Ariana Grande hosting this weekend alongside musical guest Stevie Nicks.
