5 Little-Known Secrets of SNL Sets
Live from a studio in New York City, the iconic sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL) has been a staple of American television for the past 50 years. Founded by Lorne Michaels, SNL first aired on October 11, 1975, and has since become a launching pad for numerous successful careers in comedy and entertainment. Despite the ever-changing lineup of sketches, hosts, musical guests, and cast members, the show’s home base has remained Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, where the magic of SNL unfolds week after week.
In a recent video for AD, cast members Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and Chloe Fineman provide a glimpse behind the scenes of Studio 8H, offering a tour of the hair, makeup, wardrobe departments, backstage corridors, and even Gardner’s eclectic dressing room. The space is filled with neon lights and quirky memorabilia, reminiscent of a teenage bedroom. Alongside members of the show’s production design team, Joe DeTullio and Akira “Leo” Yoshimura, the comedians reveal some little-known facts about the inner workings of the SNL sets, shedding light on the creative process that brings each episode to life.
One interesting detail highlighted by the team is the clock that has been a consistent feature on the SNL set for the past 50 years. Situated in a fake window depicting a shoe shining shop, the clock serves as the official timekeeper of the production. Stagehand Joe Riley ensures that the clock is always accurate and wound, symbolizing the show’s steadfast dedication to its rich history and New York roots.
Behind the scenes, a team of approximately 540 crew members collaborates across different departments to orchestrate the seamless transitions between sketches on the six stages within Studio 8H. With more sketches than stages, meticulous planning is essential to ensure that sets can be transformed efficiently during the short breaks between performances. The crew’s precision and efficiency are essential to the show’s success, with set changes sometimes occurring in as little as two and a half minutes.
Despite technological advancements, SNL continues to rely on handwritten cue cards, with up to 1,500 color-coded cue cards created for each episode. These cue cards serve as a lifeline for the cast, providing essential guidance during live performances. The dedication to traditional methods reflects the show’s commitment to authenticity and the craft of live television.
Additionally, the show boasts a room filled with molds of every cast member’s face, allowing the makeup department to create prosthetics quickly and accurately. This attention to detail extends to the creation of custom wigs, with approximately 80 wigs used per episode. The meticulous filing of wigs ensures that they can be reused for recurring characters, maintaining continuity and helping the showrunners manage the vast collection of hairpieces.
As SNL celebrates its 50th anniversary with a star-studded special, the behind-the-scenes secrets and meticulous craftsmanship showcased in Studio 8H continue to captivate audiences worldwide. The legacy of SNL is not only reflected in its iconic sketches and memorable characters but also in the dedicated team that works tirelessly behind the scenes to bring each episode to life.