This oral history of NBC's Saturday Night Live is the juiciest treasure trove
of backstage gossip, sex and drugs since The Andy Warhol Diaries. With almost
three decades' worth of memories from cast members, celebrity hosts, writers,
crew and network execs, readers get first-hand reports (often contradictory)
on the volatile, competitive, grueling and often drug-fueled process of
creating a weekly, 90-minute, live comedy show. While the cast and writers
changed over the decades there were two constants: the universal loathing of
guest host Chevy Chase and the power of producer Lorne Michaels ("I think he
picked the right profession," assesses Jane Curtin, "because he gets to lord
over people who want to kneel at his feet and he doesn't acknowledge them-
which makes them work harder."). Regulars like Dan Aykroyd, Adam Sandler,
Chris Rock, Mike Myers, Billy Crystal, Bill Murray, Al Franken, Martin Short
as well as guest hosts like Tom Hanks, Penny Marshall, Alec Baldwin, Carrie
Fisher, Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin contribute sterling anecdotes that are
alternately hilarious, touching, upbeat and scathing. With the exception of
Eddie Murphy (who's positively portrayed), virtually the only missing voices
are of those who have passed away (the editors use only interviews conducted
for the book and not vintage interviews with John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Phil
Hartman or Chris Farley). Scandals, infighting and plenty of showbiz dirt make
this a guilty-pleasure page-turner from start to finish. Photos not seen by PW.

Download File Size:2.05 MB

---