Whatever happened to saturday night? Pt. 1- L. Michaels
A/N - Veryyyyyy self indulgent daisy jones typecasted reader. Sorry :). Also, for obvious reasons Rosie and Lorne aren’t married in this- based off the film Saturday Night. First person POV
I stood outside with my leg propped up against the wall of the studio with a cigarette dangling from my lips. The inside was bustling with crew members, musicians, television executives, and the cast- practicing their sketches. A young page was outside with me, handing out tickets to tonight’s show. Nerves coursed through my body at the idea that I was gonna be on live television in 90 Minutes. I was pulled from my thoughts by Lorne, coming outside.
“What the hell are you doing? we need you in there” He said, his voice laced with stress as a burning sheet if paper fell from the floor above and hit in front of him. He put it out with his shoe.
Lorne and I had been friends for a few years. I had been doing comedy while trying to make it as a singer/songwriter. We met at an open mic and have been somewhat inseparable ever since.
I placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling softly. “You okay?”
“Ask me again in 90 minutes” He replied “Have you seen-”
He is cut off by a higher pitched voice shouting “Mr. Michaels!” from the inside if a car. The car comes to a hault and Lorne jogs over, speaking to the woman inside. A tall man stepped out of the car, a big grin on his face as he waved at me, saying something about his suit. He is ushered over by Lorne as we head inside.
“This is Andy Kaufman, he’s gonna be on our show.” Lorne explained as we make our way into the studio.
“Andy, please, come on.” Lorne rushed as Andy looked around, admiring the studio.
“This is beautiful!” Andy exclaimed.
“Did you know, over there was where Diego Rivera was hired to paint a fresco for the american worker?”
“I cannot see this.” Andy replied.
“Well no one can, cause Diego was a Commie and added Vladimir Lenin in the middle of the night, So the Rockefellers had it plastered over.”
I sigh softly, absentmindedly watching the banter between the two. As we approached security and tried to go through into the building we were stopped by a guard.
“Deliveries use the back.” The man stated, clearly annoyed.
“I’m producer of the show” Lorne replied before being swiftly cut off.
“I- Look, my name is Lorne Michaels, I’m the producer of Saturday Night.”
The situation was de-escalated by Dick coming over and saying it was all good and that we were with him.
“Must be some show to be live on saturday night.” The guard said.
We get into the elevator, Andy giggling softly to himself about us rushing as Dick tells the man in the elevator which floor we’re going to.
“So, big night.” Dick said.
“Oh- Andy, have you had dinner?” Lorne asked, not paying any attention to Dick.
“Yes, I had spaghetti” Andy replied.
“Oh, that sounds delicious.” Lorne says and I chuckle softly at his reaction.
“Lorne, I’m getting calls from upstairs, you ordered a llama?” Dick asked.
“A LLAMA?” Andy reacted, clearly excited.
“Yeah, we all decided it was much funnier than a donkey.” I say, trying to maintain a straight face throughout the conversation.
“Great- well guys, the loading dock wasn’t exactly expecting livestock” Dick retorted.
“NBC did as for something fresh and unexpected.” Lorne explained.
“That’s tur- they just weren’t expecting you to demand an overhaul on the lighting and sound packages.”
Lorne concentrates, thinking for a moment.
“Did anyone ask Edison what a lightbulb was before he harnessed electricity?”
“Who are you in the metaphor?”
I laugh out, covering my mouth to quiet myself down as Andy looked down at Lorne in confusion.
“We can’t expect people to recognize something they’ve never seen before.” Lorne states, a slight grin on his face.
“Right- correct, but what about a final script?” Dick questions.
“It’s not that kind of show” I state, trying to dig Lorne out of the hole he was in.
“She gets it, see?” He motions to me, a smile on his face.
“Okay- well what kind of show is it, Lorne? Do you even know what the show is?” Dick asks, somewhat frustrated.
“Of course!” Lorne exclaims.
“Are you gonna share with the rest of us?”
“Yes- in 88 Minutes.” He says, exiting the elevator with a grin.
I zone out, walking through the crowd of workers bustling around as Dick and Lorne talk about the lighting and sound setups. I decide to go find Gilda so I had someone to talk with.
Gilda and I had been best friends for many years. I was who introduced her to Lorne. She was my best friend and truly my sister.
She was sitting at a mirror, making faces when I ran up behind her, wrapping my arms around her. She smiles but before she can say anything someone comes in and says we are needed for rehearsals. Her and I rush through to get where we need to be when I knock straight into Laraine, who was having her bee stripe spray painted on. I giggle slightly st the sight.
“God I hate these bee costumes- I haven’t even tried mine on yet.” I say, humor lacing my words. This earned a giggle and a nod in agreement from Laraine.
I skip out, and dash through the halls into the doors of Studio 8H with 85 minutes til’ we go live.
The dimly lit studio is smoky and smells like sage. The atmosphere is generally warm but everyone seems to be slightly on edge. Gilda plops down, taking her seat on the couch and I stand back behind the set with Dan and Garret wearing a robber costume on and a fake gun. The crew are all arguing about lighting. and then we hear our cue, but Dan can’t get the door open. He barges through and recites the lines before he’s called off.
“So do I say anything or am I more the silent robber type?” Garrett asks the person directing this sketch.
“I think we’re just gonna stick to the script this time.” He replied.
“What script?” Garrett looks over at me and quips, earning a giggle.
We begin the sketch all over, but don’t get far as a light structure falls down right in front of the couch. I instinctively run over, pulling Gilda back as John begins yelling, threatening the crew. The structure continues sparking and I hold my arms in front of Gilda. If anyone’s is getting hurt tonight, I am not letting it be her.
John actually ends up getting into a physical altercation with a crew member before it’s split up by Lorne and Dan.
“How dare you endanger my actors!!” Lorne raises is voice slightly and I giggle silently, a red hue dipping down onto my cheeks. Earning a knowing glance from Gilda, who was still standing beside me.
“YOU’RE THE ONE ASKING FOR A HUNDRED FUCKING LIGHT CUES, PAL!!” The crew member shouts at Lorne.
I have half a mind to go over and chastise the crew member myself.
“Feel free to let me know when my expectations surpass your abilities!” Lorne scolds, getting ushered away by Dick.
“I don’t know guys, it was kind of exciting! Like, it’s probably good luck!” Gilda says, a forced smile on her face.
I smile at her, admiring the ability to find something good even in a shit situation.
“Can we go again?” Lorne asks us.
“Uh, in this death trap?” Garrett retorts.
“You know, I still think it was kind of funny!” Gilda says, taking my hand and skipping over to where Lorne was putting sage around his head. I giggle at the scene.
“How high does this thing go, Al?” She asks, sitting on the camera operator’s lap as he takes her up, despite protests from Lorne.
“Guess I picked the wrong day to not wear underwear, don’t look too hard!” Gilda giggled, going around the room.
I giggle at her, but my attention is pulled away by Lorne, who was arguing with a crew member. I look around at all the chaotic scenes unfolding.
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