‘SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night’ Trailer: New Docuseries Goes Behind the Scenes With Amy Poehler, Will Ferrell, Seth Meyers and More

Peacock has released the trailer for “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night,” a new docuseries delving into the history of the prolific late-night sketch show and the comedians that made it possible.

According to an official logline, “‘SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night’ is a four-part docuseries honoring the legacy of ‘SNL,’ with over 60 contributors, including ‘SNL’ alumni, and covering decades of ‘SNL’ history. Spotlighting some of the show’s most iconic elements, each episode delves into the rich history of ‘SNL’ and pulls back the curtain on the audition process, the writers’ room, the fan favorite ‘More Cowbell’ sketch and the pivotal Season 11.”

More from Variety

ADVERTISEMENT

The trailer, which features clips of ‘SNL’s’ most famous sketches, including “More Cowbell,” “Two Wild & Crazy Guys” and Chris Farley’s “Matt Foley/Van Down by the River,” teases the behind-the-scenes interviews with former and current “SNL” cast members like Amy Poehler, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers and Bowen Yang.

Also in the trailer, an off-camera interviewer asks Larry David, who briefly wrote for “SNL,” “Do you think the writers get the credit they deserve?” David responds with a smile, “Oh dear, you’ve really stepped on a land mine here.”

“I’ve been obsessed with ‘Saturday Night Live’ as long as I can remember. For ‘SNL50,’ I’ve been lucky to collaborate with some of my favorite independent filmmakers to tell some deeper stories of ‘SNL,'” said Morgan Neville, an Oscar-winning documentarian and “SNL50” executive producer. “Taken together, these standalone episodes give a new perspective of ‘SNL’ and what makes it work.”

Series directors include Robert Alexander, Marshall Curry, Neil Berkeley and Jason Zeldes. Neville, Caitrin Rogers and showrunner Juaquin Cambron serve as executive producers. “SNL50” is produced by Jonathan Formica, Allison Klein and Tremolo Productions.

All four parts of “SNL50” premiere Jan. 16 on Peacock. Watch the trailer below.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.