There's also clever use of animation to tell some parts of Lorne's story and an understandable reliance on current and former "SNL" staffers to tell their own Lorne stories.

It's fair to say that I may be expecting too much for a film which mostly comes off as a lighthearted tribute to a TV legend. But figures of Michaels' stature deserve more, particularly from one of the most talented documentarians in the business.

If you delight in learning (as I did) that Myers based his classic Dr. Evil voice on Michaels’ Canadian phrasings, you’re in for a treat. As are all SNL fans.

It’s nonetheless breezily entertaining, thanks to the huge roster of contributors, who are often very funny, a fantastic range of clips and its behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of a big-time network television show.