Live From New York

September 9, 2002
This oral history of NBC's Saturday Night Live
is the juiciest treasure trove of backstage gossip, sex and drugs since The Andy Warhol Diaries. With almost three decades' worth of memories from cast members, celebrity hosts, writers, crew and network execs, readers get first-hand reports (often contradictory) on the volatile, competitive, grueling and often drug-fueled process of creating a weekly, 90-minute, live comedy show. While the cast and writers changed over the decades there were two constants: the universal loathing of guest host Chevy Chase and the power of producer Lorne Michaels ("I think he picked the right profession," assesses Jane Curtin, "because he gets to lord over people who want to kneel at his feet and he doesn't acknowledge them—which makes them work harder."). Regulars like Dan Aykroyd, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Mike Myers, Billy Crystal, Bill Murray, Al Franken, Martin Short as well as guest hosts like Tom Hanks, Penny Marshall, Alec Baldwin, Carrie Fisher, Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin contribute sterling anecdotes that are alternately hilarious, touching, upbeat and scathing. With the exception of Eddie Murphy (who's positively portrayed), virtually the only missing voices are of those who have passed away (the editors use only interviews conducted for the book and not vintage interviews with John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Phil Hartman or Chris Farley). Scandals, infighting and plenty of showbiz dirt make this a guilty-pleasure page-turner from start to finish. Photos not seen by PW. Agent, Sloan Harris. (Oct. 7)Forecast:Little, Brown editor Geoff Shandler got the buzz going on this book at Book Expo in May, and a first serial in this month's issue of
Vanity Fair has heightened the buzz to a roar. Ubiquitous media coverage and rave reviews should rocket this one onto bestseller lists.

June 15, 2002
Finally ready for prime time? Two Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists give us the story behind the show.

Copyright 2002 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2002
Cultural icon " Saturday Night Live" seems to get almost as much attention for its anniversaries and retrospectives as it does for its current shows. It has also been the subject of several books. But even those who think they have heard all the stories will be impressed by the work Shales and Miller have done to pull together this oral history that covers the last 27 years of laughs and groans. Actors, writers, producers, staff, guest hosts--all weigh in to give readers an in-depth, revealing portrait with a you-are-there quality. There's also more dirt here than there are stars in the SNL firmament: the rivalries, the fights, and the romances, although that may be too, well, romantic a word. Founding (and current) producer Lorne Michaels comes across as a particularly fascinating character, a father figure to some, a preening enigma to others; the final chapter, which is entirely devoted to what people think of him, doesn't seem nearly enough. Eddie Murphy refused to cooperate with the authors, and it would have been fun to hear from some of the show's lesser lights, but like the proverbial box of chocolates, this is full of tasty tidbits and hard to put down.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2002, American Library Association.)