Rating: 
Summary: Finally, an in depth comprehensive look at the real SNL
Review: I could go on forever about this book (and the show). SNL was an inspiration to my career, so this book was a must for my collection.
Some people are shattered by the harsh accounts given in this book. For real SNL fans, there is nothing too new here. What is nicely done is that the telling of these backstage stories are quite complete and nicely pieced together. For example, if there's an story about a specific cast member...you will read from several people (fellow castmembers, the person itself, agents, producers, etc.) on the issue. This clears up a lot of the gossip and explains in-depth the "truth" (or at least a more objective compilation) of how some of these historical occurances came to be.
SNL is a fascinating institution. You will quickly understand the impact this show has made on pop-culture, comedy, politics, and many things we take for granted today. More importantly, you will understand what it was like at the time as it was happening to these people who all thought they were going to the be the cast that ended the show that of course still goes on years after them. SNL has transformed from the rebel of television to the standard of what sketch comedy and late night entertainment has become. It refreshed the variety show days and brought players from the Second City and other such troupes to the mainstream audience.This book is probably the best account you will ever get of what its like to work in this sort of high paced enviroment. It is always intersting to see the collaboration, frustration, and artistic struggle of all the writers, performers, guest hosts, producers, and even agents that are all representing in this thick compilation. This book does also include many personal stories that reveal more of the human side to this fraternity of SNL alum...and beyond the protected PR world. Petty cast squabbles, working for a man like Lorne, and sadly the loss of Belushi, Gilda, Hartman, Farley, and others. Its an easy read, easy to pick up and flip around in any order. You will likely find yourself reading this book for hours at a time (yes, it is a thick chunk of pages!) and soon Cross-referencing people and stories (in a VERY detailed and useful index!) Take all the fluff stuff you saw on E!'s true Hollywood Stories and People....and look up the real deal here in this book. There will be "his side and her side" and therefore somewhere the truth.
If you like SNL, get the 20th anniversary book...if you love SNL, this book will test that love. You will either feel at home, run screaming, or just have mixed emotions for us entertainment business types.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute Delight
Review: If you, like me, have been around long enough to have enjoyed SNL since the beginning (of course with cable reruns, this includes nearly everyone), you will enjoy the behind-the-sceens look at how this long-running cultural event comes together each week. I have loved this show even when it was rotten, because I sensed that the cast and writers new it stunk too. This book confirms my suspicions and provides great insight to the creative process that makes SNL mostly good, sometimes bad, and always unique. Terrific book. An absolute page turner.
Rating: 
Summary: First Hand Gossip Account of SNL
Review: The book is a compendium of segmented interviews conducted by the authors of the people responsible for developing, producing, directing, and acting in Saturday Night Live. Eddie Murphy is the only major SNL Not Ready for Prime Time player missing as an interviewee. Baby Boomers who have watched the show from its beginning may not learn anything startingly new that they have not probably read in the gossip columns and tabloids these past 27 years, but the Gen X & Y SNL viewers of today may be amused by how the show was created and how it evolved. It is not surprising how many of the people interviewed for the book, including all of the major creative and artistic SNL participants, claim credit for much of the show's success, while pawning off failures and disasters on others. The book is strongly focused on the early years, concentrating on Lorne Michaels and the original seven cast members, then moves more quickly through the 1980s and 1990s. The authors provide little of their own commentary, preferring to let those interviewed tell the story from their perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Yes, a bit disjointed....
Review: ...but ultimately fascinating document of our generation's most beloved variety program. The stories are told primarily by those involved, in their own words, verbatim, including cast members, writers, hosts and producers. Some surprising tidbits include an almost universal dislike of Chevy Chase, Nora Dunn's harsh treatment of co-stars, and Eddie Murphy's grudge against the show (he is the only cast member who would not appear on the 25th anniversary special and is not interviewed in the book). The book reads like an interview. There is almost no narrative from the authors. It's like reading a filmed documentary where the camera switches back and forth between the interviewees. This format fails only rarely, and the comments are usually placed somewhat in chronological order, and occasionally are lined up together, highlighting common viewpoints between participants where they exist. Most of the memorable, gossipy events are covered, such as Nora Dunn's exile from the show when Andrew Dice Clay appeared, Jean Doumanian's brief stint as producer that almost got the show cancelled, Norm Macdonald's ousting as Update anchor, Sinead's unanticipated Pope-bashing, etc., etc., etc. A fascinating read that will make you look at the show in a different light once you finish it. May also make you feel a bit misty-eyed, as you link SNL memories with memories of where you were and who you were as you witnessed them live.
Rating: 
Summary: Ultimately dissappointing
Review: Reading this book reminded me of how much I've always loved SNL during the good, the bad, and the ugly. I've always watched it. But, the format of this book didn't seem to ever get to the heart of the matter. It didn't feel like history and it didn't feel like opinion. It just felt like a series of quotes thrown together under some loose subjects. It lacks synthesis. It deserves a follow-up book by Shales, Al Franken, Lorne Michaels, Ebersol, or someone who writes a good history of the show and its impact on our culture. SNL is more than just the random opinions of the stars and writers.
Rating:
Summary: real interesting Book
Review: there was a time when SNL was on the Cutting edge of TV.but those days have long past&too be honest the plug on the Show should have been pulled at least 11-12 years back.but in it's early days it set the standards for shows like In Living Color"&what you see with "Madd TV" among other shows.I always wondered why the Show had so few African-American Cast Members over the years?Eddie Murphy is Missing something badly in here for me.of course you would want too hear Eddie Murphy reflect on the show.interesting stories on John Belushi.He was something else.this book deals with alot of various topics.
Rating: 
Summary: Eh. With so much talent, they put out this?
Review: Given the reputations of those involved, especially Shales, this is a hellacious disappointment and certainly not worth the hardcover price at any discount. They couldn't even get Murphy to talk to them and, given that he saved the show, that is a major problem in a book of this size and alleged scope. O'Donoghue, who was viciously brilliant, is reduced to a parody. There's nothing here you couldn't have figured out from reading years of tv commentary or watching the show.
Rating:
Summary: Woah! SNL !
Review: This book started slow (Everything you read in the intro WILL be repeated later in the book, so instead of nodding off, go directly to the first chapter.) If you have ever dreamed of writing for SNL or performing on SNL, read this book first. Sure, some are bitter (Janene Garafalo particularly hated working there, so did Chris Elliot) but others loved every minute of the experience. All writers and performers say in this book that they can't believe they made it through the experience alive. I once hoped to write for SNL; now I know I couldn't handle it.
I am a mere humor columnist; I read this and was glad that I do what I do and am not working there.
I did cry a little reading people's reactions to Phil Hartman's death. Was a little irritated that the authors spent more time on Chris Farley's death. They were both brilliant. But Phil Hartman's death was a shock and unbelievable; Chris Farley's death was sad yet not surprising. I still have a hard time watching a movie or skit Phil Hartman was in; I still get angry when I see a movie or skit Chris Farley was in. But I didn't work with either man, I'm just a member of the public. I cry when I see Phil Hartman; I get pissed when I see Chris Farley.
My review has turned into a eulogy, I'm sorry. It's a good book with beginning and ending faults.
Rating:
Summary: Unstructured, incomplete, but interesting.
Review: This is not a bad book, but it does not even begin to cover SNL, explain its influence on television and culture, or discuss its stars or sketches. Since it consists almost solely of interviews, there is little structure to the book, with topics changing abruptly to new and unrelated topics. There is also a lot missing, such as information about the death of Chris Farley, discussions of popular sketches, or many of the extracurricular activities (e.g. "1941," "Gilda Live," etc.). There are some interesting tidbits, but it's generally not as revealing as one would like. "A Backstage History of SNL," while out of print and only covering through the Ebersol years, is a MUCH stronger and more enjoyable book. (How about a second volume?).
Rating:
Summary: Great Great Great
Review: Any Comedy, SNL or TV lover in general will adore this book. It has comedic insight, and above all is a fun, fun read.
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