Questlove's Epic SNL Documentary: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at 50 Years of Music

Questlove Recounts the Herculean Task of Creating SNL's 50th Anniversary Cold Open New York, NY – June 7, 2025 – The recent Late Night with Seth Meyers episode featured a fascinating interview with musical icon Questlove, who revealed the behind-the-scenes challenges of creating a seven-minute documentary cold open for Saturday Night Live's 50th-anniversary celebration. The segment, a whirlwind tour of 50 years of SNL musical guests, required Questlove to navigate a complex web of rights clearances and creative editing decisions. "Lorne [Michaels] sort of handed the keys to me," Questlove explained, highlighting the unexpected nature of the assignment. The project involved securing rights for performances spanning decades, a task he described as "gobstopping." He detailed the innovative approach, comparing it to a DJ set where artists like Cher and Hanson, or Queen and Vanilla Ice, were unexpectedly paired together. Despite the initial apprehension from some artists, Questlove successfully brought his vision to life. "I said, 'Look, do you want to be a part of history or not?'" he recalled, emphasizing the persuasive power of his final product. The result was a dynamic and engaging cold open that successfully captured the essence of SNL's musical legacy. The interview offers a compelling glimpse into the meticulous work required to create such a comprehensive and engaging piece of television history. It's a testament to the power of creative vision and collaborative effort.