Live from Peacock, it’s an entertaining SNL doc!

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the ever popular sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live,” or better known as “SNL.” So, Peacock gives us a four-part doc called “SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night,” and it’s a doc for anyone who loves the show, or at least, the older seasons. I’m one of those people who prefer the older seasons, and I’m absolutely entertained by this doc.

We see Tracy Morgan, Bobby Moynihan, Kristen Wiig, David Spade, Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Bowen Yang, Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon, and Jason Sudeikis, among others doing 5 minute auditions, and a majority of them have made it on stage. Sometimes the reactions would be silent. And some actors like Stephen Colbert or Jordan Peele never made it as cast members.

We also get some aspect from the writers, who aren’t as appreciated as they should be. We hear insights from the likes of Robert Smigel, John Mulaney, Seth Meyers, Tina Fey, Paula Pell, and Alan Zweibel, among others. We also hear how the sets and costumes are done, how scripts can feature last minute problems (there is no metaphor for “I can see the wires”) and some of them can be rejected, and sometimes with Oscar winning hosts, the stakes could be higher.

“We could have used a little more cowbell.” I’m sure you’ve heard that line before. Well, that’s what this doc also talks about. The skit that satirized the recording of Blue Oyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” You all know Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Kattan, Chris Parnell, Horatio Sanz, and Christopher Walken were all part of that skit. And we also get a little inspiration from many other musicians to use cowbells.

And Season 11 would have been the final season of the show, if Lorne Michaels didn’t come back. The reviews for that season were pitiful, especially for the alumni, with the exception of Jon Lovitz, Nora Dunn, and Dennis Miller. And this final section is given the “Twilight Zone” treatment, courtesy of Kevin Nealon.

We don’t get much insight from the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players, as much as Jason Reitman’s biopic “Saturday Night,” but we do get to hear specifics from elements that deserve to be spoken. Each episode ranks from 49 min to a little over an hour, and each one keeps you watching.

4 Part Documentary Streaming on Peacock