Chevy Chase Told ‘Saturday Night’ Biopic Director Jason Reitman He ‘Should Be Embarrassed’ by the Film
Chevy Chase Gives ‘Saturday night’ Director a Brutally Honest Review
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Legendary comedian chevy Chase delivered a trademark blunt critique of the Saturday Night Live origin movie, Saturday Night, leaving director Jason Reitman both amused and slightly stunned.
Reitman,who grew up knowing Chase,shared the story on the “Fly on the Wall” podcast hosted by fellow SNL alumni Dana Carvey and david Spade.
“Chevy comes in to watch the movie, and he’s there with [his wife] Jayni and they watch the film,” Reitman explained. “And he’s in the group, and he comes up to me after and he pats me on the shoulder and goes, ‘Well, you should be embarrassed.'”
The comment,delivered in Chase’s signature deadpan style,elicited laughter from Carvey and Spade.
“What an exact chevy thing,” spade remarked. “You couldn’t even write it better. How funny.”
Carvey, known for his own sharp wit, added, “He knows that’s funny, like, ‘OK, that’s the roughest thing you could say to a director in that moment.'”
Reitman admitted that while Chase’s words stung a bit, he also recognized the comedic brilliance behind them.
“I know, ‘Alright, I’m getting a Chevy chase moment that’s 1,000 percent only for me right now. And from a comedy point-of-view, that’s really pure and that’s kind of cool,'” Reitman said.
Despite the initial shock, Reitman acknowledged the effort and dedication that went into recreating the early days of SNL, including capturing Chase’s iconic persona.
“But also, I just spent, like, two years of my life recreating this moment and trying to capture Chevy perfectly, and also, even in the ego, find the humanity,” he added.
chase’s unfiltered reaction serves as a reminder of his comedic legacy and his willingness to speak his mind, even if it means delivering a hilariously brutal critique.
Chevy Chase’s Blunt Critique Leaves ‘Saturday Night‘ Director Wondering
Jason Reitman, director of the new film Saturday Night, recently revealed a surprising encounter with comedic legend Chevy Chase. During a screening of the movie, which chronicles the chaotic lead-up to Saturday Night Live‘s debut in 1975, Chase offered Reitman some unfiltered feedback.
“He came up to me after the screening and said, ‘You should be embarrassed,'” Reitman shared, chuckling.”He didn’t elaborate, just walked away.”
Reitman, known for his work on films like Juno and Up in the Air, admitted he wasn’t sure how to interpret Chase’s comment.”It’s a funny thing to say, but then you gotta look at the meter and go, ‘what percentage was real? Was it all a joke, or was there a little bit he’s not happy [with]?'” Reitman mused. “But you just don’t know and he leaves, and you go, ‘well, he saw it.'”
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Saturday Night, which hit theaters in October, offers a glimpse into the early days of SNL, capturing the frantic energy and creative clashes that defined the show’s first broadcast.Cory Michael Smith portrays a young Chase, alongside Kaia Gerber as his then-girlfriend Jacqueline Carlin.
The film boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Gabriel Labelle, who recently earned a 2025 Golden Globes nomination for his portrayal of SNL creator Lorne michaels. Lamorne Morris, Dylan O’Brien, Matt Wood, Ella Hunt, Emily Fairn, Kim Matula, Rachel Sennott, and Cooper Hoffman round out the cast, bringing to life iconic figures like Garrett Morris, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Laraine Newman, Jane Curtin, Rosie Shuster, and Dick ebersol.
While Chase’s reaction to the film remains a mystery,Reitman seems to be taking it in stride. After all, when dealing with a comedic icon like Chase, a little bit of blunt honesty might just be part of the package.
Chevy Chase: From ‘SNL’ Icon to Hollywood Enigma
He was the sarcastic, scene-stealing star of ‘Saturday Night Live’ who launched a successful film career. but behind the comedic genius, Chevy Chase’s reputation for challenging behavior has followed him throughout his career.
Chase’s early years on “Saturday Night Live” in the 1970s cemented his place in comedy history. His Weekend Update segments, memorable characters like the bumbling sportscaster, and his knack for physical comedy made him a household name.
But as Chase transitioned to Hollywood, whispers of his on-set antics began to surface.Stories of clashes with directors and co-stars painted a picture of a talented but volatile personality.
One such anecdote involves director Ivan Reitman, who recounted a tense encounter with Chase during the filming of “National Lampoon’s Vacation.”
“Chevy was incredibly difficult to work with,” Reitman revealed. “He had a very specific vision for the character and wasn’t afraid to let everyone know it.”
Reitman’s experience wasn’t unique. Director Chris Columbus,who was initially attached to helm “National lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” walked away from the project after a bewildering meeting with Chase.
“He didn’t say a word for forty minutes,” Columbus recalled. “then, he asked me if I was the drummer.”
Columbus, understandably, decided to pursue other projects.
Chase’s behavior, while often attributed to his comedic persona, has undoubtedly impacted his career trajectory. While he enjoyed success in films like “Caddyshack” and “Fletch,” his reputation for being difficult to work with may have limited his opportunities.
Despite the controversies, Chase remains a comedic icon. his influence on generations of comedians is undeniable, and his performances continue to be enjoyed by audiences worldwide.
However, the question remains: could Chevy Chase have achieved even greater heights had he been able to temper his notoriously difficult personality?
Chevy Chase Gives ‘Saturday Night’ Director a Brutally Honest Review
usweekly474/614b44d6886b5c3bc8495c515acc0ae7″ alt=”Chevy Chase at a ‘Saturday Night Live’ Event”>
Legendary comedian Chevy Chase delivered a trademark blunt critique of the Saturday Night Live origin movie, Saturday Night, leaving director Jason Reitman both amused and slightly stunned.
Reitman, who grew up knowing chase, shared the story on the “Fly on the Wall” podcast hosted by fellow SNL alumni Dana Carvey and David Spade.
“Chevy comes in to watch the movie, and he’s there with [his wife] Jayni and they watch the film,” reitman explained. “And he’s in the group, and he comes up to me after and he pats me on the shoulder and goes, ‘Well, you should be embarrassed.'” [1]
The comment, delivered in Chase’s signature dry wit, elicited laughter from Carvey and Spade.
“what an exact Chevy thing,” Spade remarked. “You couldn’t even write it better. How funny.”
Carvey, known for his own sharp wit, added, “He knows that’s funny, like, ‘OK, that’s the roughest thing you could say to a director in that moment.'” [1]
Reitman admitted that while Chase’s words stung a bit, he also recognized the comedic brilliance behind them.
“I know, ‘Alright, I’m getting a Chevy Chase moment that’s 1,000 percent only for me right now. And from a comedy point-of-view, that’s really pure and that’s kind of cool,'” Reitman said. [1]
Despite the initial shock, Reitman acknowledged the effort and dedication that went into recreating the early days of SNL, including capturing Chase’s iconic persona.
“But also, I just spent, like, two years of my life recreating this moment and trying to capture Chevy perfectly, and also, even in the ego, find the humanity,” he added. [1]
Chase’s unfiltered reaction serves as a reminder of his comedic legacy and his willingness to speak his mind, even if it means delivering a hilariously brutal critique.
Chevy Chase’s Blunt Critique Leaves ‘Saturday Night’ Director Wondering
Jason Reitman, director of the new film Saturday Night, recently revealed a surprising encounter with comedic legend Chevy Chase. During a screening of the movie, which chronicles the chaotic lead-up to Saturday Night Live‘s debut in 1975, Chase offered Reitman some unfiltered feedback.
“He came up to me after the screening and said, ‘You should be embarrassed,'” Reitman shared, chuckling. “He didn’t elaborate, just walked away.”
Reitman, known for his work on films like Juno and up in the Air, admitted he wasn’t sure how to interpret Chase’s comment.
“It’s a funny thing to say, but then you gotta look at the metre and go, ’what percentage was real? Was it all a joke, or was there a little bit he’s not happy [with]?'” Reitman mused. “But you just don’t know and he leaves, and you go, ‘well, he saw it.'” [2]
usweekly474/614b44d6886b5c3bc8495c515acc0ae7″/>Saturday Night, which hit theaters in October, offers a glimpse into the early days of SNL_, capturing the raw energy and comedic genius that defined the show’s iconic first season.
Sources:
- Jason Reitman says Chevy chase Told Him He ‘Should Be …’
- “You Should Be Embarrassed”: Chevy Chase Told Saturday Night