Saturday Night Live

What is the best book ever written about SNL - its history, backstage antics, and controversies?

• "Saturday Night" by Doug Hill and Jeff Weingrad covers the original cast up through the early 80s. Excellent book especially if you're interested in the creation of the show and television politics of the time. Similar to "The Late Shift" books written about the Letterman/Leno/Conan late night wars. Tom Shales' "Live From New York" is great because it's all direct quotes from cast members, guest hosts, writers, crew - anyone involved with the show. Lots of great behind-the-scenes gossip. My only complaint was the format didn't allow for details or context for a lot of the quotes. Someone would mention an incident and you'd want to learn more but you're just on to the next quote.

• Tom Shales' "Live From New York" makes it read like Jan Hooks and Norma Dunn were the bitches backstage and Victoria Jackson was the innocent hick. Now we know differently