SNL: The Experience

Live from Chicago, It's Saturday Night!

Recently I finally had the chance to check out the SNL: The Experience exhibit at the Museum of Broadcast Communications. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect but was super excited to see everything!

This exhibit claims to immerse you in SNL and it definitely delivered. You start off weeing a short movie telling you about SNL and it's history then walk out into the sound stage.

You start your SNL journey on Monday, kicking off your SNL week prepping for the show that weekend. I love how the exhibit told the story of the workings of the show while sharing the stories and history at the same time. This was done is a manner that didn't feel forced at all.

My favorite artifacts in the beginning were the notes from cast members and thank yous from hosts and musical acts who were on the show. It was interesting to see who took time to write out the entire note and who didn't. There were definitely a few people who I would have thought would write out a thank you but definitely just signed the typed out note from their assistant or something!

I really enjoyed hearing the writer's oral stories on Tuesday. There were so many funny and interesting background stories that you would never realize goes on. I would have loved a seat somewhere in this space to sit and really listen to them for a while.

The section with the sets was my favorite part. I wasn't exactly sure if we were supposed to sit on the Wayne's World couches and touch the set pieces, I was pretty sure those parts were reproductions but that could have been a little more clear for me. After seeing the other couple do it I figured hey no one stopped them haha. Being a Chicago native and a big fan of Wayne's World for obvious reasons that one was my favorite piece of the set that was there.

I loved seeing all the different costumes all over. They really are one of if not the most iconic parts of SNL. Who my age doesn't know the Spartan cheerleader costumes?? Or the Barry Gibb talk show leisure suits. Overall most of the costumes had labels giving more information but there were some without. Not sure if they were supposed to be there or maybe an exuberant fan had snatched them but it would have been nice for a little more consistency.

After we finish our week at SNL you walk into a huge airplane hanger sized space with a SNL main stage and enjoy the show. I really enjoyed how they did this with the large screens and the physical space. Honestly I could have sat there and watched a longer show! Overall I really enjoyed the SNL exhibit at the Museum of Broadcast Communications. I definitely think if you're a SNL or TV buff then this is definitely an exhibit you should check out. Don't forget to visit the rest of this amazing museum while you're there as well!

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