Peacock’s new docuseries has the massive task of defining a show that has defined culture for decades, as it peers into cast auditions, the writers room, the iconic cowbell sketch and the 1985-1986 season that almost canceled the show.

“ SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night ” will be available for Peacock users as long as they have a subscription to the service. Without a subscription, there is currently no other way to watch the event. At this time, “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night” is only available on Peacock.

What “SNL50” adds to the overstuffed canon of 30 Rock lore is a direct result of all this eager participation. “Five Minutes” is structured around performer after performer watching and reacting to their own audition tapes,

Four-part docuseries starts as a typical self-congratulatory tribute. Then it drills down to specific highs and lows, and delivers the goods