NBC has unveiled an upcoming documentary, Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music, to celebrate a half-century of live rock music performances featured on the long-running sketch comedy show.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Oz Rodriguez will direct the feature film about memorable musical acts by artists like Paul Simon, Justin Timberlake, Billie Eilish & Finneas, Bad Bunny, Elvis Costello, Miley Cyrus, Debbie Harry & Chris Stein, Jack White, Mick Jagger and Dua Lipa, 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,” Thompson said in a statement. “The process of going back through the incredible archival footage was like being in a time machine, DeLorean or other. I’m so happy I went on the trip and now get to share it with everyone.”
The film will be part of NBC’s primetime celebration of SNL’s 50 seasons that kicked off in 1974. NBC will debut the music-focused feature doc Jan. 27, ahead of streaming the next day on Peacock. The three-hour special, which will include around 50 interviews with musical artists, cast and writers, is produced by Two One Five Entertainment, RadicalMedia and Broadway Video.
Ahead of SNL’s 50th anniversary, Peacock is also set to stream SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, a four-part series delving into the behind-the-scenes life of NBC’s sketch comedy show, on Jan. 16.
Ladies & Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music is executive produced by Lorne Michaels, Thompson, Zarah Zohlman, Erin David, Dave Sirulnick, Jon Kamen, Meredith Bennett, Alexander H. Browne, Shawn Gee and Tariq Trotter, with Rodriguez serving as a producer.
SNL’s 50th anniversary celebrations will culminate in a live primetime special on Feb. 16 on NBC and Peacock.
Source: Hollywoodreporter
