184: Saturday Night (with Adam Nayman)

The author and film critic Adam Nayman returns to Junk Filter to discuss the new Jason Reitman race-against-time comedy thriller Saturday Night about the backstage antics leading up to the first episode of SNL in 1975, a feature film that serves an an ode to its producer Lorne Michaels while trying to spin tension and suspense out of a foregone conclusion.  Reitman is back in Oscar Bait mode after having some success with the new Ghostbusters films, but this one, like many of his recent award season efforts, failed to connect with audiences. Adam and I discuss the film’s shortcomings, which real life characters it chooses to venerate and which it chooses to attack or demean, and how Reitman, in his supposed recreation of a comedy revolution, actually values the establishment of an institution.  Over 30% of all Junk Filter episodes are only available to patrons of the podcast. To support this show directly and to receive access to the entire back catalogue, consider becoming a patron for only $5.00 a month (U.S.) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/junkfilter Follow Adam Nayman on Twitter.  Saturday Night Live Deserved Better Than Saturday Night, by Adam Nayman for The New Republic, September 30, 2024 Trailer #1 for Saturday Night (Jason Reitman, 2024)