Live from New York, it’s Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music. The first trailer for the upcoming Questlove-directed documentary is a two-minute celebration of one of television’s most iconic stages.
In the clip, featured hosts from throughout Saturday Night Live‘s 50 seasons introduce musical guests Charli XCX, Prince, Adele, Bob Dylan, Bad Bunny, and more.
“You don’t know what’s going to happen until 11:30 p.m.,” Dua Lipa, who has performed on the show three times including last year’s double-duty gig, says in the trailer. Seven-time musical guest Miley Cyrus adds: “It’s the tightrope walk. They want to see you dangle. They don’t want to see you fall.” Mick Jagger joins to recall the rush of going from the stage to the next sketch while drenched in sweat.
The stakes will always feel high on live television, but there’s an added pressure when considering the history of the show. “We were the first rap group to ever be on national television,” Sha-Rock, who performed as a member of Funky 4 + 1, says. “That is the beginning of everything.” SNL would go on to host performances from Public Enemy, Run DMC, Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, Questlove’s own the Roots, and more. The trailer also highlights pivotal appearances from a MAGA hat-wearing Kanye West, a lip-synching Ashlee Simpson, a riotous Rage Against the Machine, and a status quo-defying Sinéad O’Connor.
Additional commentary is provided from current and former cast members, including Bill Hader, Bowen Yang, Kenan Thompson, and Ego Nwodim. Fred Armisen, Andy Samberg, Jimmy Fallon, Eddie Murphy, Maya Rudolph, and Conan O’Brien will also make appearances in the documentary. The list of featured guests continues with musicians Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Jack White, Dave Grohl, Finneas, Paul Simon, Kacey Musgraves, and more. The man behind the show, Lorne Michaels, will also appear.
“The process of going back through the incredible archival footage was like being in a time machine, DeLorean or other,” Questlove shared in a statement. “I’m so happy I went on the trip and now get to share it with everyone.”
The three-hour-long feature will premiere on Jan. 27.
