‘Saturday Night’ Director Jason Reitman Says Chevy Chase Told Him He “Should Be Embarrassed” About Film

Jason Reitman reveals Chevy Chase’s hilariously blunt critique of Saturday Night, the new film about the chaotic origins of SNL.

Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night offers an ambitious look at the 90 minutes of mayhem that led to the historic first broadcast of Saturday Night Live in 1975. The film, featuring an ensemble cast led by Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase and Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, aims to capture the larger-than-life personalities and comedic genius that defined the show’s early days.

But Chevy Chase, one of the original SNL cast members, had a less-than-enthusiastic response to Reitman’s film. During a recent episode of the Fly on the Wall podcast, Reitman recounted Chase’s cutting reaction after a private screening. “Chevy loves to say the thing you’re not supposed to say,” Reitman joked, recalling how Chase turned to him and bluntly declared, “Well, you should be embarrassed.”

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Reitman admitted that the remark stung but managed to find humor in the moment, recognizing it as a quintessential “Chevy Chase experience.” Reflecting on his efforts to portray Chase’s character with both comedy and humanity, Reitman said, “I spent two years trying to capture his essence and give him a moment to be loved—but no, none of that played.”

Chevy’s sharp critique, while not unexpected, has only added to the intrigue surrounding Saturday Night, which also stars Rachel Sennott, Dylan O’Brien, Ella Hunt, Lamorne Morris, and Willem Dafoe. The film’s exploration of SNL’s origins promises both laughter and insight, though Chase’s reaction reminds audiences of the challenges of recreating comedic legends.

Read our full review of Saturday Night here.