The Not Ready for Prime Time Project: An SNL Retrospective

Awhile back, during our Season Five look back, we wanted to do a "Deep Thoughts" episode on the Andy Kaufman special, Andy's Funhouse, which aired in the summer of 1979 (though it was filmed back in 1977). We were very excited to get into it with such an iconic performer and one of his biggest showcases. We even had a guest lined up—a proclaimed "expert" on Andy Kaufman. Sadly, the day of recording, our guest ghosted us. We had two choices—postpone the recording and try to reschedule with our unprofessional guest or just push on and record with two guys who have only a surface-level knowledge of Andy Kaufman, skimped on the research (since they were supposed to have an expert on the show), but did spend the time watching the special. We decided to press on, by ourselves, and record our own look back on the special. At the end of the day, we chose not to put the episode out. Not because the episode isn't good (we think it is) but because it wasn't AS GOOD as it could have been. But, in going through the vaults of stuff we have after the end of "The Early Years of SNL," we thought it would be fun to share now. So enjoy our look back on the very first Andy Kaufman television special that is at times very interesting, at other times very befuddling, and at many times very entertaining. Andy brings back many (if not all) of his classic bits and welcomes guest stars like Cindy Williams, Howdy Doody, and Wendy Polland (who?). This was actually a lot of fun. --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

This week, we wanted to showcase a different podcast. From our editor, Will, comes his own podcast - Reviewing Who. Brothers Will, Pat, and Tom journey across time and space as they deep-dive into each episode of Doctor Who, beginning in 1963. Reviewing Who is available wherever you get your podcasts. --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

In the spring of 1980, Saturday Night Live finally met its first competitor. Desperate to steal a piece of the late night comedy pie, ABC premiered its own late night sketch comedy show as SNL was nearing the end of its fifth season. That show was Fridays. Fridays would repackage almost all of SNL's key components—it would air live, it would have sketch comedy from an unknown troupe, there would be a fake news segment, and there would be musical guests. But to be different, the show would be shot on the west coast and—in the beginning—would not have a host. Some might say it would also not be as funny. Lasting only three seasons, and (for a while) hard to find after that, the show would live on primarily as a footnote in the history of its inspiration. But, as is often the case, looking back on something after 40+ years gives new perspective. We're joined by die-hard Fridays fan (and friend) Dennis Perrin to talk about the highs and the lows, the good and the bad, what worked and what didn't, and try to make sense of everything that happened in the show’s too-short run. Live from the Los Angeles basin, it's Fridays! --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

Five years ago today, we lost one of the original writers of SNL—the amazing Anne Beatts. One of only two female writers on the staff when the show began, Anne's contributions were vital, formative, and iconic. She was nominated for an Emmy all five years she wrote for Saturday Night Live, winning for her work in Season One. She also won a Writer's Guild of America Award for her work on the SNL 25th Anniversary Special. We highlight Anne's work in this VINTAGE episode of "The Early Years of SNL," which features one of the most memorable outings from some of her most beloved characters—The Nerds. In this Season Three finale, "Nerds Prom"—coming unsurprisingly in the prime "post-monologue" slot—not only continues to build on the world of Todd & Lisa but introduces the character of Marshall (Todd's father), played to perfection by host Buck Henry. This classic original era episode has Buck in an excellent Olympia Café sketch, working with a "Stunt Puppy," attending the "Sodom Chamber of Commerce," and (of course) visiting with the Samurai. In addition, we are treated to one of the most eclectic musical guests in SNL history in Sun Ra. Jon Schneider from The Saturday Night Network was our guest for this episode, which was originally released on October 1st, 2024. --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

Our look back at Saturday Night Live’s original era has come to an end. We wrap up our final episode of The Early Years of SNL, looking back at all five seasons of the original era. We revisit the journey the show took from a trying-it-out-in-real-time “variety” show (S1) to being a truly experimental and edgy platform (S2), exploding into a cultural juggernaut (S3&4), and eventual fall from grace (S5). Looking back, we remember some of our favorite hosts, musical guests, special guests, and pre-tapes. Of course, we also call out what we didn’t like. We discuss what surprised us, disappointed us, and highlight our favorite forgotten and underrated sketches (we did a whole episode on best bits). To bring it all to a close, we select our best and worst episodes of the original era. And, we finally answer the question everyone’s been asking – “What comes next?” Sort of. Thanks to everyone for listening. “Goodnight, and goodbye.” --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

We made it! Our look back on the original era of Saturday Night Live comes to a close. We’ve revisited every episode, talked about every sketch, discussed every host and musical guest, and explored the behind-the-scenes stories that brought this iconic show to life. In this first part of our retrospective of “The Early Years of SNL,” we look back on why we set out on this journey in the first place and look to answer if we succeeded in our goals. We discuss what we enjoyed the most about the process, what we learned, and what surprised us. We take a moment to celebrate some of the writers that were responsible for some of the most iconic and classic sketches and characters in the show’s history and – finally – look back at the legendary cast. We discuss all the classic characters we loved, the iconic impressions that blew us away, and shine the spotlight one last time on the group that went from “not ready for prime time” to larger than life in just a few short years. We hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have. --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

A companion to our discussion about the end of the original era of SNL, we talk with biographer Susan Morrison about Lorne Michaels’ side of things. Susan joins us to discuss Lorne’s mindset going into Season Five, how much he (like everyone else) was looking towards life beyond Saturday Night Live, and where NBC’s decision - made behind his back - to move on without him left him. Susan helps explain the thinking behind Lorne’s need to put the show on an extended break, his (naïve) belief that the show was actually his, and how he eventually learned of NBC’s decision to move on without him – while in a honky-tonk bar in Texas. We discuss Lorne’s attempt at getting into movies and how that unsuccessful foray eventually led him back to where it all started – television. Susan talks both about The New Show (which she had personal experience with) and the reasons behind Lorne’s decision to return to Saturday Night Live when asked by NBC after its 10th season. --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

Why did Lorne Michaels leave SNL? How hard did NBC try to keep him? Did a future US senator really sabotage everything? Saturday Night Live historians and authors Doug Hill & Jeff Weingrad join us once again to answer these questions (and more) as we look back on the end of SNL’s original era. Beginning with Season Four (which they would argue was the beginning of the end), we connect the dots as to what brought about the eventual end of Lorne Michaels’ original run of the show. Doug and Jeff take us inside the negotiations between Lorne & the network, try to make sense of NBC’s decision to replace him with Jean Doumanian, and explain the outlook everyone had heading into Season Six. From exhaustion and failed prime time deals, to a bitter (and personal) contract negotiation and an infamous Weekend Update piece that just might have killed the whole deal, we examine all that went into one of the biggest turning points in Saturday Night Live history – one that was made behind the back of its creator, Lorne Michaels. If for some reason you haven't gotten a copy of Doug & Jeff's book, Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live you can get it HERE, or anywhere you buy books. --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

As we bring our look back on the first five years of SNL to a close, we rounded up some of our favorite and most knowledgeable guests for a very special Tournament Talk. Together, they help us discuss and debate the “Best Bits” of Saturday Night Live’s original era. Five years, over one hundred episodes, and a countless number of sketches, performances, and moments get sifted through as we look to pick out the very best. From iconic impressions and classic characters to memorable Weekend Update pieces and legendary pre-tapes, our panel takes on the near-impossible job of narrowing them all down to the very best of the best. Do you agree with what makes the final cut? What iconic and all-time favorite bits were left out (there are a few)? And did our panel succeed in crowning the champion of BEST BIT of SNL’s original era? --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

Well, we made it! Season Five of Saturday Night Live has come to an end. Brad and Gary look back and discuss what they liked (and didn’t), what they learned, and what surprised them from the final season of SNL’s original era. They pick their favorite hosts and musical guests, rank the best (and worst) episodes, and – of course – pick their Best Bits of the season. In addition, they highlight forgotten and underrated moments from the season as well as try to agree on who it was that picked up the mantle in the absence of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. They look back at quality contributions from Harry Shearer as well as lament the too-often absence of Garrett and Laraine (and sometimes Gilda). And, after all is said and done, they try to decide if this season really is as bad as history would have you believe. The final season of “The Early Years of SNL” has come to a close. One last season wrap-up. Here we go… --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

It’s the end of an era. Saturday Night Live brings the original era to a close as Buck Henry (naturally) hosts the season finale of Season Five. Andrew Gold (it’s okay, you can ask “Who?”) and Andrae Crouch with The Voice of Unity are the musical guests. The show leans into the “will they or won’t they be back” elephant in the room often throughout the episode – from the monologue right up to the goodnights. In between, Buck gives another solid performance as host, we get to say goodbye to some well-loved recurring characters, and are gifted one of the most iconic sketches in the show’s history up to this point. A lot has been said about SNL during this era – and this season – and it is bittersweet to see it come to an end. We say goodbye to Gilda, Jane, Laraine, Garrett, and Bill (and Lorne), and no one is sure what the future holds for Saturday Night Live. With one last self-referential nod, the show bows out and leaves the audience wondering just what might come next. --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

Marc Shaiman has won a Tony award, two Grammy awards, two Emmy awards, and has been nominated for seven Oscars. Unsurprisingly, after a career spanning over 50 years rubbing shoulders with the "who's who" of entertainment he is not at a loss for stories to share. In honor of his hilarious new memoir, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories From a Sore Winner, we talked with Marc about a brief, but pivotal, section early in his career – Saturday Night Live. Beginning as a freelance performer during the Dick Ebersol years, he began backing up cast members such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus and went on to form life-long friendships with the likes of Martin Short and Billy Crystal. When Lorne Michaels returned to the show, he was hired as a full-time writer and helped create one of the most iconic recurring characters of SNL’s second Golden Era – The Sweeny Sisters. Marc talks about working on SNL with Jan Hooks, Phil Hartman, Maya Rudolph, Paul Shaffer, Steve Martin, and Mary Tyler Moore, as well as shares hilarious behind-the-scenes tales about Bill Murray, William Shatner, Paul McCartney, and Prince! He also tells the story of meeting, working, and living with Bette Midler (when he was only a teenager), discusses his decades-long relationship working with Rob Reiner, and reveals the most outrageous story from his book. We had such a blast talking Saturday Night Live with Marc, we didn’t even get a chance to talk about: *Being one of the originators of the Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings *Producing songs with Mariah Carey and Harry Connick, Jr. *Backing up Bette Midler on Johnny Carson’s final show *Writing songs for South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut *Creating Hairspray for Broadway All of which are in the book – which you can order HERE! Or the amazing audio book - HERE! Or...as Marc says (or sings) himself - GET BOTH! --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

Steve Martin returns to host SNL for his 8th time. He won’t return to the show (aside from a memorable cameo) for over 6 years. Perhaps it was because of the deer outfit they had him wear? Steve hosting Saturday Night Live gets overshadowed by one of the very few people who could pull off such a feat at the time – Paul McCartney. Hiding out in London after his public drug bust, the ex-Beatle was supposed to open the show. But, due to the time change, a mix-up ensued and the runner about getting Paul on the air (he’s debuting the video for his first solo single in 10 years) is the centerpiece of this episode. The episode is fine and Steve does a good job of having fun (especially when paired with Bill or Gilda), but one of SNL’s greatest hosts leaves the original era on a whimper. Oh, aside from Paul McCartney’s music video we also get an in-studio performance from 3-D! --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

With Saturday Night Live off for a few weeks due to the Olympics, we thought it would be fun to get some friends together to debate our “Favorite SNL Olympic Moments.” That’s right, Tournament Talk is BACK. Sadly, Bill Swerski is not. From John Belushi up to the recent SNL51 Olympic pre-tape, our panel of SNL superfans discuss, dissect, and debate the best Olympic sketches, pre-tapes, and bits from the show’s 51-year history. What sketch will win? Will your favorite Olympic moment from SNL history make the list? Tune in and see what made the cut, what didn’t, and what took the gold medal. --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

SNL finally gets comedy legend Bob Newhart to host the show, and we finally get back together for a “live” episode. In honor of being in the same room, we try something a little different and record immediately after watching each bit. This episode of Saturday Night Live is famous for not having a lot of material, with only four live sketches (in addition to the cold open). The show doesn’t stray far from the host’s strong suit, but is that a good thing? We’re not sure. But one thing that is certain – if you’re a Bob Newhart fan you’ll enjoy this episode. The musical guests are a bit of a conundrum. The Amazing Rhythm Aces were a request from Bill Murray (who joins them on stage for one number) and we’re still trying to figure out how Bruce Cockburn got an invite. We’ve only got two more episodes left! Here we go... --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

Just when you thought Season 5 of SNL might have thrown in the towel, it delivers one of THE BEST episodes of the season! Host Strother Martin knocks it out of the park – whether carrying a sketch or simply in a supporting role – and the veteran character actor delivers in all night long. The writing is smart, the performances are on point, and the laughs are plentiful. You don’t even have to be familiar with what the show is satirizing to get the jokes (as one of us shamefully is called out about). To top it all off, The Specials – in their first US television appearance – deliver one of the most energized performances of the season. Top to bottom, everything in this episode clicks – so much so that even we are hard-pressed to find something to complain about with this one. If that wasn’t enough to get excited about, we are joined one last time by our dear friend Thomas Sena from “The Podcast Which Shall Not Be Named.” We couldn’t ask for a better final guest as we look to bring S5 and the original era of Saturday Night Live to a close! --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

While the average SNL fan might not know Andy Aaron by name, they almost certainly know his work—his short films have been showcased on the show several times. His most well-known, "Push Button to Cross Street," was featured in Season 7 and shows an unknowing Tom Davis accidentally push the wrong button and cause a building to collapse. But Andy's connection with Saturday Night Live goes way back. His friendship with Chevy Chase predates the show and his first short film was one of the best pieces included in Mr. Mike's Mondo Video. He also has a really great one in the Burt Reynolds episode from Season 5 - so good that it prompted us to go out and track him down. We talk to Andy about ALL his short “disaster” films (including some he did for Sesame Street), his time as a writer on the short-lived The Chevy Chase Show, and working on such film classics as Apocalypse Now, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. Note to listeners: We talk to Andy about many particulars of his work. We highly encourage you to check out Andy’s YouTube page to watch his short films before listening to this episode. Don’t worry, they’re very short (and fun)! --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

Not all episodes of SNL are created equal. Some of them…well, they just miss the mark. That is a polite way of describing Burt Reynolds’ hosting of Saturday Night Live’s late Season Five entry. This episode is well-known for the difficulties it had finding material for the host and it shows. Much of what was delivered manages to offend early and often. And, Burt pretty much plays Burt this episode regardless of what the name of his character is and doesn’t seem to be having too much fun doing so. But, he sure likes to chew gum. However, the show does finish strong with a GREAT short film and a couple of decent sketches with Burt and Gilda (including the final appearance of Baba Wawa). Oh, and Anne Murray is back (somehow) as the musical guest. --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

Veteran comedy writer Matt Neuman, whose story starts all the way back in the early 70s, joins us today to share his SNL story. He talks about the creation of his own sketch comedy show, The Chicken Little Show (where Father Guido Sarducci made his television debut 6 years before appearing on Saturday Night Live), working with a pre-SNL Al Franken & Tom Davis, and putting together a TV pilot with Rob Reiner. All this led him to work on the Emmy-nominated Lily Tomlin special where he would meet a young Canadian-born producer named Lorne Michaels. Matt shares why he turned down the offer to write for Saturday Night Live in Season 1, eventually joined the show for Season 5, and then returned once more after the firing of Jean Doumanian in Season 6. In addition to his time working on SNL, Matt talks about visiting the show during its first season, contributing sketches during its second, and helping write the Bob & Ray, Jane, Laraine, & Gilda special during Season 4. As the one established writer to join the staff at the start of Season 5, Matt has a unique perspective on how the final season of the original era unfolded. He takes us from the pre-season “retreat” that was held in upstate New York all the way through the final send-off of the season finale – on which he is featured in the monologue (which he helped write). Along the way we are treated to a firsthand account of one of the most infamously bad sketches in show history (by the man who wrote it), getting a private concert by Bob Dylan, and what impact– if any – the first competition to Saturday Night Live’s dominance would have. --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

SNL makes history as Richard Benjamin returns to host – this time with his wife Paula Prentiss – to be the first husband/wife team to ever host the show. In honor of the occasion, we did the only thing that seemed right – dragged our wives onto the show to talk about this episode. Unfortunately for them, this is a weird episode of Saturday Night Live to walk into – not bad (not at all), just weird. Especially if you haven’t been following the show up to this point. While both Benjamin and Prentiss deliver fine performances, they are rarely on screen together. That, coupled with almost a full episode of “slice of life” sketches, makes this a very interesting watch. Even the appearance of some classic recurring characters feels off. Did our wives enjoy watching a 45-year-old comedy program? And would they come back and do it again? Speaking of returns, The Grateful Dead are back to sing a couple of tunes from their upcoming album. --------------------------------- Subscribe & Follow today! And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptproject Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com