The Not Ready for Prime Time Project: An SNL Retrospective
An in-depth journey into the legacy of one of television's most iconic and influential shows - Saturday Night Live. Through deep dives into its most memorable eras, behind-the-scenes stories, and analysis of its evolution, we celebrate and debate al things SNL - the show that has become an institution, defining comedy for the last 50 years.
Episodes
123 episodes
NR4PTP VINTAGE: The Early Years of SNL: S02E09 Jodie Foster/Brian Wilson (11/27/76)
Today we mourn the passing of The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. In remembrance, we're revisiting his memorable appearance as the musical guest on SNL's Season 2, Episode 9, hosted by Jodie Foster. The Beach Boys w...
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58:26
The Early Years of SNL: S04E20 Buck Henry/Bette Midler (5/26/79)
Another season of The Early Years of SNL comes to a close, which can only mean one thing… Buck is Back! Buck Henry returns for his 8th time hosting and this time he gets a proper season finale musical guest with the one and only...
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1:05:33
The Early Years of SNL: S04E19 Maureen Stapleton/Linda Ronstadt, Phoebe Snow (5/19/79)
On the surface, veteran stage and screen actress Maureen Stapleton may seem like an odd choice to host Saturday Night Live. After watching this episode, that assessment might hold true.Season 4's penultimate episode stand...
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1:02:15
Bill Swerski's Tournament Talk: Best SNL Commercial Parodies
Over SNL's legendary 50-year run, only a select few bits have managed to stand the test of time. One that has… the commercial parody. From fake products that feel disturbingly real to outrageous pitches that somehow make perfect sense,...
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1:45:43
The Early Years of SNL: S04E18 Michael Palin/James Taylor (5/12/79)
Blink and you might miss it, but Michael Palin returns to SNL for the third time. He is joined by James Taylor, making his second appearance as musical guest.This episode serves up a mixed bag – a couple of VERY lo...
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1:10:06
Deep Thoughts: Bob & Ray, Jane, Laraine & Gilda
The ladies of Saturday Night Live team up with the two comedy legends for the last SNL “off week” special. Jane, Laraine, & Gilda join Bob & Ray for a show filmed in 8H, produced and shot by the SNL
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34:40
My SNL Story: The SNL Hall of Fame Podcast
It's the end of an era! After seven seasons and nearly 200 episodes, The SNL Hall of Fame—one of the cornerstones of the Saturday Night Live fan community—is closing its doors. This beloved podcast has hosted incredible conversa...
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1:12:25
The Early Years of SNL: S04E17 Milton Berle/Ornette Coleman (4/14/79)
Comedy legend Milton Berle's SNL hosting gig has gone down as one of the most infamous - and disastrous - events in late-night television history. In this episode of Saturday Night Live - widely considered one of the wo...
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1:09:02
The Early Years of SNL: S04E16 Richard Benjamin/Rickie Lee Jones (4/7/79)
Its only been a few weeks since the first ever nuclear meltdown in United States history but that doesn’t stop SNL from using it as inspiration for one of the most epic & outstanding sketches of the original era. Richard Benjami...
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59:04
My SNL Story: Kevin Kelton
We revisit the “Dick Ebersol era” of SNL once again with our guest, Kevin Kelton. He is an Emmy-nominated writer for his work on Saturday Night Live, writing on the show for Seasons 9 & 10, before moving on to a ver...
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1:13:26
The Early Years of SNL: S04E15 Margot Kidder/The Chieftans (3/17/79)
SNL continues its late season run of really fun episodes as Margot Kidder, fresh off her star-making role in the blockbuster "Superman, " hosts this memorable outing. Originally airing on St. Patrick’s Day, it leans hea...
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49:45
The Early Years of SNL: S04E14 Gary Busey/Eubie Blake, Gregory Hines (3/10/79)
In what could possibly be the most underrated outings of the original era, this episode of Saturday Night Live is a stand out showing! Hosted by the one and only Gary Busey, accompanied by the exceptional talents of Eubie Bla...
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56:55
Bill Swerski's Tournament Talk: Best Recurring SNL Characters
Tournament Talk reconvenes to debate one of the most hotly contested topics among SNL fans – Best Recurring Characters!From The Nerds to Wayne & Garth, Mr. Robinson to Stefon, our panel discusses and deliberate some o...
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2:02:00
The Early Years of SNL: S04E13 Kate Jackson/Delbert McClinton (2/24/79)
Its sweeps month in 1979, and SNL pulls out all the stops with Charlie’s Angels star Kate Jackson as host and Delbert McClinton as musical guest. Yes, you read that last part correctly.A very memorable epi...
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45:35
The Early Years of SNL: S04E12 Rick Nelson/Judy Collins (2/17/79)
They say comedy is subjective, and this S4 episode of SNL proves the point. While many Saturday Night Live fans praise this outing hosted by former child star Rick(y) Nelson, we have a slightly different take. Sadly, mu...
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53:11
My SNL Story: Rosie Shuster
Rosie Shuster is a national treasure – in Canada AND the US. A two-time Emmy winner, she was an integral part in the creation of Saturday Night Live, with contributions to the show that cannot be overlooked.From helping c...
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1:02:26
Deep Thoughts: Mr. Mike's Mondo Video
We are very excited to discuss what is widely considered the VERY BEST of the SNL-related movies. A project filled with artistic precision, coherency, and directorial flourishes that taps directly into the zeitgeist possibly better tha...
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41:54
The Early Years of SNL: S04E11 Cicely Tyson/Talking Heads (2/10/79)
Talking Heads make their US television debut on this week’s episode of SNL! Also...Cicely Tyson hosts. The show brings out a lot of recurring characters, sketches, and bits to try and help her. And, of course, Garre...
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47:48
Bill Swerski's Tournament Talk: Best SNL Musical Guest Appearances
March Madness is BACK! And so is Tournament Talk! Bill Swerski returns (hopefully) to lead the debate over SNL's Best Musical Guest Appearances.Our panel goes head-to-head discussing and debating a cornerstone in Satu...
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2:00:21
The Early Years of SNL: S04E10 Michael Palin/The Doobie Brothers (1/27/79)
Michael Palin is BACK hosting SNL for his second time as he helps welcome the show into 1979. And If that wasn’t enough to get you excited, The Doobie Brothers are the musical guests! Palin has a lot to ...
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1:02:20
The Early Years of SNL: S04E09 Elliott Gould/Peter Tosh (12/16/78)
Elliott Gould returns to SNL for the 4th time to handle the hosting duties for S4’s Christmas episode. He brings with him Peter Tosh as musical guest (who, in turn, brings along a very famous friend) as well as comedy leg...
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47:41
My SNL Story: Gary Kroeger
My SNL Story is back and we’re talking with Gary Kroeger. Recruited by the show in the fall of 1982, just weeks prior to the start of Season 8, Gary was a cast member on SNL for three seasons, helping close out the Dick Ebersol ...
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1:01:11
The Early Years of SNL: S04E08 Eric Idle/Kate Bush (12/9/78)
Eric Idle returns to SNL for the first time since his two Season 2 hosting gigs! This time, he brings along new British pop sensation Kate Bush for her first - and still ONLY - US television appearance. In a much-needed j...
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1:04:29
