Questlove SNL music documentary

Photo Credit: Questlove by Wes Washington / CC by 3.0

A documentary about the music performances on Saturday Night Live (SNL), directed by Questlove, is coming to NBC.

As “Saturday Night Live” celebrates 50 years, a documentary about the show’s music performances, directed by Questlove (Ahmir Thompson) and Oz Rodriguez debuts next month. The three-hour special, “Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music,” premieres on NBC on January 27 at 8 PM, and will be available to stream on Peacock the next day.

The film promises to “feature untold stories behind the culture-defining, groundbreaking, and news-making musical performances, sketches, and cameos of the past 50 years.” The documentary will also feature over 50 interviews with artists, including Elvis Costello, Bad Bunny, Miley Cyrus, DJ Breakout, Billie Eilish, Finneas, Dave Grohl, Debbie Harry, Mick Jagger, Dua Lipa, Tom Morello, Kacey Musgraves, Olivia Rodrigo, Paul Simon, Chris Stapleton, Justin Timberlake, Jack White, and many more.

Besides artists, “Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music” includes interviews with SNL creator Lorne Michaels and cast and crew from across the show’s 50 year run. These include Fred Armisen, Conan O’Brien, Jane Curtin, Jimmy Fallon, Al Franken, Josiah Gluck, Bill Hader, Steve Higgins, Marci Klein, Mary Ellen Matthews, Eddie Murphy, Ego Nwodim, Liz Patrick, Leon Pendarvis, Joe Piscopo, Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, Maya Rudolph, and Bowen Yang.

“Everyone knows the most famous SNL appearances, whether it’s Elvis Costello, Prince, or the Beastie Boys, but they’re the tip of the iceberg,” said Questlove. “The process of going back through the incredible archival footage was like being in a time machine, DeLorean or other. I’m so happy I went on the trip and now get to share it with everyone.”

The documentary is executive produced by Lorne Michaels, Questlove, Zarah Zohlman, Erin David, Dave Sirulnick, Jon Kamen, Meredith Bennett, Alexander H. Browne, Shawn Gee, and Tariq Trotter. Oz Rodriguez serves as producer, while the film is produced by Two One Five Entertainment, RadicalMedia, and Broadway Video.

To complete the celebration of the series’ 50th anniversary, a four-part docuseries titled “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night” is coming on January 16, with a live prime-time special on February 16.