Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests

Tom Shales

James Andrew Miller

Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests is an essential read for anyone attempting to understand the history and impact of one of the most influential live-studio sketch comedy shows in history. The book serves as both an authoritative guide to SNL’s history and an intellectual exploration of the show’s creative process. Written by Tom Shales, it features insights from the people who turned the show into a weekly entertainment phenomenon.Parts of the book provide in-depth stories about SNL’s various stars such as Eddie Murphy, Dana Carvey, and Alec Baldwin. Other sections showcase exclusive interviews from guest hosts and performance artists such as Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator, and Jeff Goldblum, who guest-hosted the very first show. With vivid recollections, wit, and a few surprises, Live From New York reveals the evolution of the show, the collaboration between its writers and performers, and the constant struggle to deliver fresh perspective week after week. The book also examines the byzantine process of creating each episode, from the assigned groups of writers tasked with generating ideas, to the grueling rehearsals, to the eventual production on Saturday night. What emerges is a fascinating portrait of a show that revolutionized TV comedy and has been influencing popular culture for four decades. Live From New York is a must-read for Saturday Night Live fans and entertainment aficionados alike.