Everybody Gets a Documentary

 

At least, it seems that way.   Oh, don't get me wrong.  I like a good biography documentary as much as the next guy.  But there are a lot of them and it makes me wonder when it will be my turn.

So, the latest subject matter is legendary TV producer of SNL, Lorne Michaels. He's been at the helm for 46 of the last 51 TV seasons and I didn't realize this was a civil service job.   Or indeed perhaps we switch his name to Pope Lorne.

Okay, I give the guy credit for lasting this long, especially since the show ceased being funny about ten years ago.  I truly think NBC doesn't shitcan the whole thing because it would go broke in providing Lorne's severance package.   But SNL is not going anywhere...no laughs or not.

This documentary plays out over the weekly production of a few SNL episodes so you can get a good idea how the sausage is made.   At the center of it all is Lorne Michaels, who literally might get his ring kissed by cast and crew on a weekly basis.  You see, Lorne is a bit of an enigma and none of the many SNL talking heads included in this film know him all that well.   It's like there is an emotional moat erected between Lorne and everybody else.

And this is why the documentary comes out a little superficial.   There is nothing new to be learned.   And the few times Michaels actually addresses questions from the filmmaker, he is seemingly not interested in divulging much of anything.   This results in a lot of eye candy culled from behind-the-scenes but not much else.  Did it hold my interest?  Yes.   Will I remember any of it by next week? Definitely not.

Essentially, the main lingering question I have after seeing this film?

When do I get mine?

LEN'S RATING:  Two-and-a-half stars.

Dinner last night:  A long day of travel to NY so nothing really.