Opinion: Experiencing live television firsthand
March 24, 2017
Going to see a live taping of Saturday Night Live in New York City on March 11 was one of the best and most entertaining experiences of my life.
I loved every minute of the experience. From standing less than five feet from Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant and Cecily Strong, to the incredible Saturday Night Live (SNL) band. There was never a dull moment.
Sitting up on the balcony over looking the entire stage, it was easy to have a clear view of what was happening.
It was a captivating experience to observe. The crew worked so quickly and flawlessly to make the show run smoothly. Seeing actors sprinting around the set to get to the next sketch impressed me.
With each passing act my appreciation for the cast and crew grew. This aspect of life behind the scenes opened my eyes into a small part of a vast world I hardly knew existed.
New Zealand-born artist Lorde was the musical guest of the night. Her positive energy was electrifying, and her new song “Green Light” lit up the small stage. It was especially fun to see the live performance in the midst of the comedic sketches.
I loved every minute of the experience. From standing less than five feet from Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant and Cecily Strong, to the incredible Saturday Night Live (SNL) band. There was never a dull moment.
— Grace Farley
During commerical breaks was the most chaotic. Once the cameras cut, the actors stood up and sprinted off the stage to change for the next skit. They would then reemerge minutes later with a whole new outfit and hair color.
This was one of the most entertaining parts of seeing the live taping. During these breaks, the SNL live band would play jazzy tunes, maintaining the energy in the room.
Seeing the actors in person is a surreal experience. The one thing that humanized them was observing the actors have conversations with their coworkers seconds before the cameras went live.
In the future, I will watch the show with a deeper understanding of what goes on behind the scenes and all of the hard work that goes into producing the show.
I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to see SNL in person. Going to SNL was a unique experience that I was very lucky to be apart of. It showed me a whole new side to the world that was mesmerizing to see in person
After seeing SNL I will never watch the show without respect and admiration of the cast and crew ever again.
