an american institution
SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night
Client
Cold Open
More cowbell! ‘SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night’ is a four-part documentary offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process of legendary sketch comedy "Saturday Night Live,” with fresh insights into the show's history.
Series Design
Premiering on October 11, 1975, SNL is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The BGSTR-designed documentary highlights four key elements of its history— auditions, the iconic ‘More Cowbell’ sketch, the show's writers, and Lorne Michaels’ return.
The visual identity for the series needed a classic, enduring typeface that could span the show’s five decades while feeling fresh and modern. We wanted something that could be seamlessly integrated across different eras of the show, reinforcing both its legacy and its continued evolution.
For on-screen interviews, we expanded our typographic style, using bold lettering to highlight the personalities who helped shape American comedy. This is especially prominent in the first episode, which focuses on the casting process and features never-before-seen audition footage and firsthand stories from both cast members and those responsible for making the final call.
Each episode’s typography was customized to reflect its theme. We leaned into a typewriter-inspired font for the Writers’ episode, emphasizing the behind-the-scenes creative process. For ‘The Weird Year’, which explores Lorne Michaels' return and the ambitious-yet-flawed casting of Anthony Michael Hall, Robert Downey Jr., Randy Quaid, Damon Wayans, and others, we took inspiration from ‘The Twilight Zone’, capturing the surreal and unexpected nature of that season.
Working with SNL’s archival footage was a highlight for our team, many of whom have experienced the show through different eras of cast members. From the original lineup to the stars of today, every episode we designed was packed with SNL history.
Our approach to the footage focused on authenticity, maintaining a natural look for both aired and behind-the-scenes content. The visual language we developed reflects a contemporary perspective on a series that has defined comedy for generations.
̸ MORE COWBELL!
The 50th-anniversary celebration concludes with a three-hour live primetime special honoring half a century of Saturday Night Live. We’ll definitely be tuning in!
Props where props are due
Credits
SNL 50
Executive Vice President, Executive Producer Carson HoodVice President, Head of Production Virgil ConklinCreative Director Mark ThompsonProducer Jessica Rowley2D Design & Animation Gauthier Bossouyt, Andrij Dynjo, Eunsung Do, Momo Zhao