Reitman recounted the encounter on the "Fly on the Wall" podcast, hosted by former SNL cast members Dana Carvey and David Spade. Chase, accompanied by his wife, attended an early screening of the film.
After the credits rolled, Chase approached Reitman, patted him on the shoulder, and delivered a blunt assessment: "Well, you should be embarrassed." This remark, though harsh, drew laughter from the podcast hosts, who found it perfectly in line with Chase's known personality. The 81-year-old comedian has garnered a reputation for his sometimes abrasive demeanor.
Spade commented on the podcast, "What an exact Chevy thing to say. You couldn’t even write it better." Carvey, however, interpreted Chase's comment as an attempt at humor, noting that Chase "knows that’s funny, like that’s the roughest thing you could say to a director in the moment, or right up there."
Reitman confessed to having mixed emotions about the jab, despite anticipating such a reaction. He admitted to feeling conflicted, acknowledging the comedic purity of the moment while also feeling somewhat disheartened given his efforts to portray Chase in a nuanced light.
"Saturday Night" offers a behind-the-scenes look at the chaotic 90 minutes leading up to the first-ever SNL broadcast in 1975. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in August and was widely released in theaters on October 11th, 2024, coinciding with the 49th anniversary of SNL's debut.
Despite generally positive reviews from critics, fans, and SNL alumni, the film fell short of box office expectations, earning $9.8 million against a $30 million budget. As of now, "Saturday Night" is not available on streaming platforms or for digital rental, leaving fans uncertain about when they can view it at home. However, "Saturday Night Live" can be streamed on Peacock.
