Written by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller, Live From New York tells the uncensored history of Saturday Night Live from its inception in 1975 through the 2001-2002 season. It uses the words of its cast members, writers, producers, and hosts to give a truly detailed and realistic look behind the scenes at some of the SNL’s highest highs, lowest lows, and everything in between.
Whether you tune in every Saturday night, or have never been a fan, you sill have to acknowledge that it is a monumental staple of American comedy and has had a significant impact on pop culture during the last four decades. SNL is responsible for jump-starting the careers of stars such as Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Chris Rock, and Will Ferrell who have gone on to make billions in the box office. On top of monetary success in motion pictures, SNL alums have also received recognition for more dramatic works in the form of Oscar nominations for Dan Akroyd, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, and Robert Downey Jr (Yes. Downey Jr was a cast member back in 1985-86). And outside of the world of entertainment, SNL can even boast a Senator in one of its longtime writers and former featured players, Al Franken. As Dan Akroyd Put it, “I look at Saturday Night Live as the masters program. And then after that point in life, you get your Ph.D. in whatever you go into.”
However, this book does not only show the successes the show has had over all these years. It also digs deep into several turmoils the show has endured over the years. There have been multiple times during its history when critics declared it “Saturday Night Dead” and it narrowly escaped cancellation. During the early years of the show, tantrums, relationships, and drug abuse were all commonplace among the writers and cast. The writers and cast were under constant pressure to put the show together.
Without this book providing an inside look on what really happened on this show, it would be hard for one to fathom how such naturally hilarious and seemingly happy individuals could be haunted by deamons in the form of enormous egos, low self esteem, or the reliance on drugs as an escape. This book also recounts the passing of some of SNL’s brightest stars. John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Phil Hartman, and Chris Farley were all comedic talents that were tragically taken far too early. The former coworkers and friends of the departed were able to honor the memory of their fallen peers with personal stories and praises of not only their comedic presence but also their ability to improve the lives of those closest too them.
When I was in middle school, I watched an SNL rerun when I was home sick one day and have been hooked ever since. I could not get enough of it and still can’t. I watch the show every week, and plan to continue for the rest of its run (hopefully at least another thirty plus years). If you share the same sentiments as me, I would highly recommend this book. This book will give you a close look at some of the most brilliant comedians to ever walk the face of the Earth and the triumphs and tribulations they encountered during their tenures on Saturday Night Live.
