For 26 years, Jan Kasoff was a crucial part of “Saturday Night Live.” The former chief cameraman followed stars on set, rolled camera and filmed famous skits.
On Tuesday night, in a lecture room of about 80 UF students, he talked about life behind the camera on one of America’s most popular comedy shows.
“It’s complete chaos,” Kasoff said of the 90-minute filming period for every Saturday’s show.
UF’s National Broadcasting Society hosted the event, which was Kasoff’s second time speaking at UF.
Kasoff talked about censorship for a live broadcast.
“When I started out in TV, you could not say the word ‘pregnant,’” he said.
Kasoff said “SNL” was about taking risks. He said the show pushed the envelope when it came to content. The writers wanted to connect with the audience in the most honest way possible, he said. But before times started changing, it was hard.
“We were in constant fights with our standards and practices department,” Kasoff said.
Even with more lenient constraints on the show’s material, he said, the writers are still butting heads with NBC executives.
Kasoff said “SNL” was a milestone in entertainment. Videotapes made recording shows prior to airing them a standard practice, so when Lorne Michaels, the show’s producer, came up with the idea of filming a live comedy show, Kasoff said it was unheard of.
“If we make a mistake, it’s history,” Kasoff said.
Before long, “SNL” was just that — history.
“Within just a few weeks, ‘Saturday Night Live’ skyrocketed,” Kasoff said. “When I left, there was a two-year wait to get tickets to the show.”
Though the show’s comedians inspired laughs across the country, Kasoff said the production team shared laughs of their own.
He told stories about conflicts and mishaps on the set, like the time Sinéad O’Connor, an Irish singer, ripped a picture of Pope John Paul II in half on live television.
“I’ll never forget that moment,” he said.
Ricki Albritton, a 22-year-old UF telecommunication senior, said Kasoff’s presentation was inspirational.
“We want to walk where he’s walked,” Albritton said.
Kasoff encouraged students interested in being a part of “SNL” and affiliated programs to apply for NBC’s page program.
“It’s difficult,” Kasoff said, “but it’s not impossible.”
Jan Kasoff, a former chief cameraman for “Saturday Night Live,” speaks to UF students Tuesday night at Williamson Hall. Kasoff worked for “SNL” for 26 years, and Tuesday he shared stories and behind-the-scenes video footage with students.
