DVD review - "The First 5 Years of SNL" (2005) ***

Read this after the book on SNL - you have to, really, since reading about a TV show will only ever give you part of the story. It's a good look at the show 1975-80, with lots of clips and some grabs from people who worked on it (especially writers - writers never turn down a chance to chat), with some notable exceptions (no Bill Murray or Jane Curtin). Garrett Morris looks as though he's done a lot of living, but Laraine Newman looks in good shape. The most interesting thing is how much Lorne Michaels looks like Dr Evil (older Lorne more than younger Lorne). We also speak hear from John Belushi's widow, Steve Martin, Eric Idle and Candice Bergen. Some of the sketches stand up very well but admittedly we only see segments of them rather than the whole thing. Drugs and sex are touched on but not to the extent they are in books on the show. The DVD has another documentary - almost as long, which covers the story but with new details. Why not combine them into one long doco?