Reitman's movie delves into the tense 90 minutes before SNL's first-ever broadcast in 1975. Chase, a member of the original cast, had a less than enthusiastic reaction to the film.
During an appearance on the "Fly on the Wall" podcast with SNL alumni David Spade and Dana Carvey, Reitman recounted Chase's blunt assessment. "'You should be embarrassed,'" Reitman recalled Chase telling him after a screening.
Spade and Carvey found the remark perfectly in character. "You couldn't even write it better," Spade commented, while Carvey suggested Chase was deliberately trying to provoke Reitman.
Reitman admitted that Chase's comment stung, especially since he had spent considerable effort trying to portray him accurately and even sympathetically. However, he also recognized the comedic value of such a raw, unvarnished response.
Cory Michael Smith, who plays Chase in the film, revealed that he relied heavily on Reitman's guidance for his portrayal, opting not to meet Chase in person. Reitman had encouraged him to explore the nuances of Chase's personality, particularly the balance between confidence and insecurity.
Reitman acknowledged that reactions from former SNL cast members to their on-screen depictions have been varied. He compared the experience to his 2018 film "The Front Runner," which also featured real-life figures. He noted that people are often initially curious about their portrayal but ultimately find it unsettling to watch themselves on screen.
While Chase's response was harsh, other SNL alumni have been more positive. Billy Crystal, Laraine Newman, and Garrett Morris all expressed their approval of the film, with Morris particularly praising Lamorne Morris's performance as him.
Dan Aykroyd, played by Dylan O'Brien in the film, also shared his enthusiastic endorsement on social media, calling "Saturday Night" a "triumphant" and "propulsive" film that captures the creative process at its peak.
