Welcome to Litsy!

An interspersed, day-by-day look at how one 2018 Jonah Hill SNL episode got made wakes up a somewhat standard biography of a mysterious broadcast king. Perhaps it‘s no surprise, but the highlight of the book is a chapter titled “Saturday,” with exciting reporting and fascinating candid quotations from the room of writers, performers and one decisive producer as they move closer to the thrill of being live from New York.

This memoir was a heartwarming and funny follow-up to my SNL-themed reading spree. Molly was on SNL from 1995-2002, clearly starting the trend for many more women writers and cast members, ultimately igniting the show‘s popularity to really explode. I think Mary Katherine Gallagher would agree that Molly‘s over-the-top energy and fierce love for making people laugh make her the perfect SSSSSUPERSTAR!
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I could never score tix to see SNL Live, but I‘m still a groupie. Adored the original cast and the hilarious comics who followed. Finally, the man as powerful & mysterious as Oz, opened his office & backstage to this meticulous author. It‘s everything you ever wanted to know about Lorne, the ups & downs of creating a live late-night sketch comedy show, all the talented writers & comedians he discovered & the impact SNL still has on our culture.

78/100 I know this is a biography of Lorne Michaels, not a book solely about SNL, but I found the book slow going until we got to the part dealing with the show. The behind the scenes glimpse of how a show comes together, what decisions go into keeping or dumping sketches (don't call them skits!) was endlessly fascinating. Creating SNL, Michaels is obviously a comic genius, but also a very reserved, private person. I recommend this ⬇️

This was an IRL book club pick: I just couldn‘t get into the pop culture/humour, although I appreciated some of what Fey had to say about challenges she faces as a woman comedian and artist. Other club members really enjoyed it. I guess I‘m Just Too Serious.🧐

This was great! I watch SNL sporadically, so I am not very familiar with cast members. When I came across this audiobook, decided to give it a try and I was laughing most of the time.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I‘m a casual SNL fan and really enjoyed this. It‘s a biography of Lorne Michaels and also a history of Saturday Night Live. It‘s long but moved quickly, interweaving a close look at the creation of one full modern episode with the longer history of the show overall. The description of the last few hours leading up to the taping was fascinating. Strong pick.

Eh. Kinda slow. Some parts were funny. Kinda hopped all over. (13)
⭐️: 2.75/5

Today‘s episode of The Checkout Stack features a book end of celebrity memoirs! My personal favorite celebrity memoir is by far Bossypants by Tina Fey. I didn‘t know I could laugh so hard at a book. Tina‘s life story is fascinating and her comedy hilarious. What celebrity memoirs have you read?

https://open.spotify.com/episode/40RJV3bdZwISTmKCtQEYFc?si=zWMEjcadTlOwKnbsH8n2z...