CHICAGO, Sept. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Museum of Broadcast Communications in
collaboration with Universal Brand Development, Saturday Night Live, Broadway Video Enterprises and Premier Exhibitions,
Inc. announced today that it will bring Chicagoans behind the scenes of America’s most iconic, comedic television show with
Saturday Night Live: The Experience. Opening Oct. 21, 2017, this 12,000 square
foot experience is designed to chronicle the history of NBC’s iconic franchise while taking visitors through its notoriously hectic
weekly schedule. Ten immersive galleries bring visitors into the office of executive producer Lorne Michaels, the writers room,
control room and more, highlighted by more than 500 authentic artifacts, including iconic costumes, original sets, props and
scripts. The experience concludes with a full-scale replica recreation of SNL's longtime home in New York, Studio 8H in
Rockefeller Center.
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“We are thrilled to have the Museum of Broadcast Communications chosen as the next home of Saturday Night Live: The
Experience,” said Larry Wert, Chairman of the Museum of Broadcast Communications. “It is a perfect fit for Chicago since
countless actors and writers cut their comedic chops here before being discovered by SNL, and we are going to have a lot
of fun with this. Saturday Night Live has never been hotter and we are excited to add this to the historic significance of
the museum.”
Following the debut success in New York City, Chicago will mark the second stop of the national tour of Saturday Night Live:
The Experience. Ahead of its Oct. 21 opening, here’s a sample of what visitors to Museum of Broadcast Communications will see…
- Begin your immersive journey through SNL history in creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels’ office. As you
proceed through a priceless and unique collection of sets, props, video, photographs and multimedia presentations, you quickly
realize that you’re seeing the history of the show unfold in parallel with the creative process for writing and performing an
episode of the show.
- The experience will highlight Chicago’s connection to Saturday Night Live with sets and costumes such as: the
Wayne’s World set, Bill Murray’s lounge singer jacket, Matt Foley’s suit, the Killer Bees’ costume and Gilda Radner’s shoes.
- Coneheads? Check. Land shark? Check. King Tut costume? Goat Boy prosthetics? Church Lady costume? Mister Robinson’s cardigan
sweater? Check, check, check and check.
- There are unique show props such as Dan Aykroyd’s Bass-o-Matic blender, Tina Fey’s Brownie Husband, and Justin Timberlake’s
Dick in a Box.
- There are full-scale sets that include the Celebrity Jeopardy game set, the Church Lady set, Weekend Update desk and the
show’s iconic main stage.
The recently completed 42nd season of NBC’s Saturday Night Live was the show’s most watched in 23 years,
with the average of 11.1 million viewers for original episodes. A late-night franchise like no other, Saturday Night Live has
received a total of 240 Emmy Award nominations – the most of any other show in the history of television.
The highly anticipated 43rd season begins Sept. 30 with guest host Ryan Gosling and musical guest Jay-Z.
Saturday Night Live: The Experience is produced by Premier Exhibitions Inc., the foremost presenter of quality
exhibitions throughout the world, including Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Tutankhamun: and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs,
BODIES…The Exhibition, Extreme Dinosaurs and more.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Museum of Broadcast Communications to connect visitors with the backstory of the show and
offer them the opportunity to relive the most laughable moments and sketches,” said Mark Lach, Creative Director of Premier
Exhibitions. “Saturday Night Live: The Experience goes even further to give people a sense of what it’s like to be part of
the creative team, and the frenetic schedule and pace involved with each weekly episode. It can look so effortless on TV, but this
exhibition illustrates that a lot of hard work and preparation undoubtedly goes into each and every laugh.”
Throughout the exhibition run, ticketed special events such as “Conversations in Comedy” will bring in actors, writers, set and
costume designers to speak about their experiences on Saturday Night Live.
Conagra Brands is the presenting sponsor of Saturday Night Live: The Experience. “We’re proud to support the Museum of
Broadcast Communications in bringing Saturday Night Live: The Experience to the people of Chicago,” said Robert Rizzo,
senior director, community investment, Conagra Brands. “Our partnership with the Museum will provide visitors an innovative look at
one of the most iconic entertainment platforms of all-time. SNL has deep roots in our hometown city, and we look forward
to saying, ‘Live from Chicago, it’s Saturday Night Live: The Experience!’”
Hilton Chicago, Palmer House – a Hilton Hotel and The Drake – a Hilton Hotel are the official hotel partners of Saturday
Night Live: The Experience and are planning exclusive, interactive SNL-themed packages, offerings and installations for
guests.
Additional partners include Chicago-based companies: Blue Plate Catering, Cinespace, Custom Companies and Fresh Wave.
The Museum of Broadcast Communications is located at 360 N. State Street at the corner of State and Kinzie.
Tickets: (On sale Friday, September 8, 2017)
Adults - $25
Seniors - $20
Teen/Student (with College ID) - $20
Children under 12 are free.
Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday - 10AM to 5PM
Wednesday - 10AM to 8PM
Sunday - 12PM to 5PM
Monday - Closed
Please visit www.snltheexperience.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
About the Museum of Broadcast Communications
Founded by president Bruce Dumont, the MBC is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. The mission
of The Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC) is to collect, preserve, and present historic and contemporary radio and television
content as well as educate, inform, and entertain the public through its archives, public programs, screenings, exhibits,
publications, and online access to its resources. The MBC is an Illinois non-profit corporation that owns and manages two
subsidiaries, museum.tv and the National Radio Hall of Fame (NRHOF) and its website radiohof.org.
About Premier Exhibitions, Inc.
Premier Exhibitions, Inc. (OTCQB:PRXIQ) located in Atlanta, Georgia and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; is a foremost
presenter of museum quality exhibitions throughout the world. Premier is a recognized leader in developing and displaying unique
exhibitions for education and entertainment, including Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, BODIES...The Exhibition, Tutankhamun: and
the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, Pompeii The Exhibition, Dinosaurs Unearthed, Dinosaurs Alive!, Extreme Dinosaurs, Xtreme BUGS! and
Creatures of the Deep, as well as Saturday Night Live: The Exhibition. Additional information about Premier Exhibitions, Inc.
is available at the Company's web site http://www.PremierExhibitions.com.
About Broadway Video
Broadway Video is a global entertainment and media company founded by Lorne Michaels. Launched in 1979 in New York’s historic Brill
Building, Broadway Video has grown into an independent studio that produces and distributes original comedic content for every
platform. For more information visit: http://www.broadwayvideo.com.
About Broadway Video Enterprises
Broadway Video Enterprises manages domestic and international licensing and distribution of Saturday Night Live and the rest of the
company’s extensive library including Portlandia and The Awesomes. It also expands the library with innovative new programming made
for distribution across all media channels. In addition, Broadway Video Enterprises works closely with brands across verticals that
want to tell their stories in a fresh, creative and integrated way.
About Universal Brand Development
Universal Brand Development globally drives expansion of the company's intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories
through innovative physical and digital products, content, and consumer experiences. Along with franchise brand management,
Universal Brand Development's core businesses include Consumer Products, Games and Digital Platforms, and Live Entertainment based
on the company's extensive portfolio of intellectual properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment,
DreamWorks Animation, and NBCUniversal cable and television. Universal Brand Development is a business segment of Universal Filmed
Entertainment Group, and part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA). .
Contact: Katherine Seymour kseymour@prxi.com 404-842-2675 Betsy Shepherd Betsy@museum.tv 312-307-3958 Lauren Purnell lauren.purnell@nbcuni.com 818-777-9311
