A new SNL documentary series proves why the legendary show is truly immortal

Finally, the final episode of the documentaries focuses on one season that is largely considered to be one of the worst and most infamous. In “Season 11: The Amazing Year,” we look back at the first season that saw Lorne Michaels return to “SNL” after leaving the series in 1980. After a five-year absence, Michaels returned to bring “SNL” back from the brink of cancellation. If Michaels hadn’t returned to the show he created, the show might have ended right then and there, but the producer took it upon himself to reimagine the series.

Michaels cleaned up the house without bringing back any cast members from the previous season, casting an all-new cast that included Vacation franchise star Randy Quaid, future comedy superstar Damon Wayans, Joan Cusack’s character, comedian Jon Lovitz, Anthony Michael Hall , satirist Dennis Miller, newcomer Nora Dunn, Off-Broadway star Danitra Vance and the first openly gay character on the Terry Sweeney series.

Despite having a fantastic talent pool, Michaels has struggled to gain momentum since his return. The sketches just didn’t work and it was hard for the actors to get into a groove. But this episode of the docu-series shows that even in what many consider one of the worst seasons, there are exciting highs and bold creative decisions. Jon Lovitz’s repetitive pathological liar evoked one of the decade’s most famous catchphrases: “Yeah, that’s the ticket!” Terry Sweeney inspired a generation of gay comedians. Damon Wayans cheated and got fired. Even Francis Ford Coppola directed an entire meta-episode of the series, and nothing like it will ever happen again.

And therein lies the real secret to “SNL’s” staying power: the show keeps evolving not because it wants to, but because it has to, and they never let a setback stop them from trying again next week. If the series had ended after or even before Season 11, think of all the fun moments we’d be denied. How many of his breakout stars might have gone undiscovered? The series adapts to the times and the potential of the cast, it attracts attention. There is nothing else like it on television, and most likely never will be.

If you enjoyed all of this “SNL” talk, you should listen to our episode of The /Film Daily Podcast with “SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night” executive producer Morgan Neville talking about the making of the documentaries:

You can subscribe to /Film Daily at Apple Podcasts, It’s cloudy, Spotifyor wherever you get your podcasts from, and send us your feedback, questions, comments, concerns, and inbox topics at bpearson@slashfilm.com.