Ever since it first aired, NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has become a staple in the world of entertainment. Created by Canadian comedy writer Lorne Michaels nearly 50 years ago, the show continues to deliver laughs, spark discussions, and launch new talents.

So, what led to its creation? This is the premise of “Saturday Night,” a film set to be released widely on Friday, directed by Jason Reitman. It energetically captures the chaotic final 90 minutes before the first live episode aired on October 11, 1975.

Reitman describes it as “a story about a group determined to completely reshape television within just 90 minutes,” and he chuckles at the idea.

The film unfolds like a comedic thrill ride, featuring disaster-stricken lighting setups, temperamental stars, unexpected fights, and even a memorable moment related to Milton Berle’s notably large reputation.

While it’s undeniable that Michaels was igniting a revolutionary wave in Studio 8H, the ludicrous events in “Saturday Night” raise the question of how realistic they truly are regarding that night in Rockefeller Center.

To get clarity on some of the film’s more sensational depictions, YSL News consulted with Reitman and actors Gabriel LaBelle (who portrays Michaels) and Cory Michael Smith (playing Chevy Chase).

Did Chevy Chase and John Belushi Really Fight Right Before ‘Saturday Night Live’ Debuted?

In the film “Saturday Night,” Chase and comedic veteran John Belushi (Matt Wood) are depicted as nearly coming to blows just before the show starts, resulting in a fight that requires them to be separated. However, this confrontation is fictional and did not take place that night.

Smith explains, “Jason made this up to reflect the underlying tension between the two, but it also nods to a real fight between Chevy and Bill Murray when Chevy returned to host after leaving ‘SNL’ after its first season.” He describes it as a tribute to that iconic moment.

Did a Lighting Rig Actually Fall on the Not Ready for Primetime Players?

No, Reitman confirms. However, he shares, “There was a tale that their well-known camera crane, the Chapman Crane, which someone would ride, lost its brakes and crashed into the set.”

Did John Belushi Hold Off on Signing His NBC Contract Until Showtime?

Yes, Reitman confirms. “He was missing and refused to sign until just before it went live.” However, he adds, “The reason for showcasing this in the film wasn’t merely to highlight a contract issue, but to illustrate his fear about gaining fame. John recognized his own brilliance, but he worried that if he became popular, things might spiral out of control.”

After leaving “SNL” to act in films like 1978’s “Animal House,” Belushi tragically passed away from a drug overdose at 32 in 1982 at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, California.

Was Billy Crystal part of the initial ‘Saturday Night Live’ cast?

Indeed. While the comedian was originally set to feature in the show’s premiere, as shown in “Saturday Night,” his segment was ultimately not aired, leading to his departure. He later returned as a notable cast member during the 1984-85 season.

Did Johnny Carson confront Lorne Michaels before the show aired?

“That’s correct,” says Reitman regarding the late-night host’s phone call to the new producer. As depicted in “Saturday Night,” “SNL” took over the time slot that had been dedicated to reruns of Carson’s “Tonight Show,” which did not sit well with him.

“While it might not have been on that specific night, Carson had several rules to complicate things for Lorne,” Reitman explains. “The overall message was clear: ‘Stay out of Burbank,’ which is the base of the ‘Tonight Show.’

LaBelle adds: “It felt like NBC didn’t respect Lorne at all; they viewed him as a hippie. There was always tension between them.”

Did Milton Berle actually expose himself to Chevy Chase’s girlfriend backstage?

No. The well-known comedian, known as Mr. Television, wasn’t present at the studio that night, nor was he filming an old-style variety show next door, as suggested. (Berle did guest host “SNL” once in 1979.) However, the scene where he reveals himself is rooted in reality.

Reitman notes that Berle was “infamous for exposing himself to people, and many have anecdotes about it.” He explains that the scene in “Saturday Night,” in which Berle hits on Chase’s girlfriend and offends the young comedian by exposing himself, reflects a clash between different comedic generations.

Did Chevy Chase receive the Weekend Update role at the last moment?

In “Saturday Night,” Lorne Michaels reads fake-news headlines during a rehearsal for the Weekend Update segment and suddenly tells Chase to take over. Chase quickly gained fame for this, often starting with his iconic line, “Good evening, I’m Chevy Chase. And you’re not.”

Actually, Michaels had planned to take on this role but ultimately gave it to Chase before the debut episode, as Chase was originally brought on as a writer. Reitman mentions that Michaels and Chase met while waiting to see the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” which is why “SNL” is referred to as the “American Python” in “Saturday Night.”