Academy Award-winning filmmaker Questlove is set to direct a new documentary celebrating 50 years of musical performances on Saturday Night Live. The three-hour special, titled "Ladies & Gentlemen ... 50 Years of SNL Music," will premiere on NBC on January 27, 2024, with streaming available on Peacock the following day.
The documentary aims to showcase the rich musical history of SNL by combining archival footage with over 50 exclusive interviews. Notable musical guests featured include Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, Dave Grohl, Olivia Rodrigo, Justin Timberlake, and Mick Jagger, among others.
"Everyone knows the most famous SNL appearances, whether it's Elvis Costello, Prince or the Beastie Boys, but they're the tip of a huge iceberg," Questlove remarked. The filmmaker described his experience reviewing the archival footage as "being in a time machine."
The documentary will also include commentary from SNL creator Lorne Michaels and beloved cast members such as Eddie Murphy, Maya Rudolph, and Kenan Thompson. Behind-the-scenes perspectives will be provided by writers, producers, and crew members who have contributed to the show's musical legacy.
This project marks Questlove's first feature-length directorial work since his Grammy and Oscar-winning documentary "Summer of Soul" in 2021. The special is produced through a collaboration between Two One Five Entertainment, RadicalMedia, and Broadway Video.
The musical documentary is part of SNL's broader 50th anniversary celebration, which includes a four-part docuseries "SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night" and an upcoming live primetime special scheduled for February 16, 2024.
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