Questlove Explores 50 Years of 'SNL' Music in New NBC Documentary

The three-hour special, premiering January 27, dives into iconic performances, controversies, and the show's unique integration of music into comedy.

Questlove, co-directing with Oz Rodriguez, spent years researching and curating the musical history of 'Saturday Night Live' for the documentary 'Ladies & Gentlemen ... 50 Years of SNL Music.'
The film highlights memorable performances, including interviews with artists like Mick Jagger, Billie Eilish, and Paul Simon, as well as SNL cast members and writers such as Conan O’Brien and Maya Rudolph.
Controversial moments, like Sinead O’Connor's protest and Kanye West’s unconventional performances, are revisited and examined for their cultural impact.
The documentary underscores the deep connection between music and comedy on 'SNL,' featuring examples like musical guests in skits and iconic moments like Eddie Murphy's James Brown hot tub parody.
Questlove, who credits 'SNL' with shaping his musical education, describes the project as a labor of love and a lighter creative endeavor compared to his emotionally heavier documentaries on Earth, Wind & Fire and Sly and the Family Stone.