The Not Ready for Prime Time Project: An SNL Retrospective

Two Pints Productions, Inc.
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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 all things SNL - the show that has become an institution, defining comedy for over 50 years.

  1. VINTAGE The Early Years of SNL: S01E19 Madeline Kahn/Carly Simon (May 8, 1976)

    5D AGO

    VINTAGE The Early Years of SNL: S01E19 Madeline Kahn/Carly Simon (May 8, 1976)

    One last VINTAGE episode before we leave "The Early Years of SNL" and move into the Jean Doumanian season. Late in Season 1, Madeline Kahn hosted for the very first time. Delayed by a technician's strike, the show seemed to utilize the extra time as this is considered (by us at least) the best episode of Saturday Night Live's first season—even if Carly Simon had to pre-tape her musical performance. This episode includes some of our favorite sketches of the season including an iconic Baba Wawa, an amazing Bride of Frankenstein musical number, the infamous "Final Days" sketch, and the Marilyn Suzanne Miller-written "Slumber Party." This episode of SNL originally aired 50 years ago this week, and the podcast episode was originally released on August 1st, 2023. --------------------------------- 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

    1h 8m
  2. Deep Thoughts: Remembering Anne Beatts

    MAY 2

    Deep Thoughts: Remembering Anne Beatts

    Today we remember original SNL writer, Anne Beatts. Coming to Saturday Night Live by way of The National Lampoon, she was both a vital voice and powerful force in the early formative years of the show. Not only did Anne create the iconic "Nerds," she also contributed to such memorable characters and sketches as Irwin Mainway, Uncle Roy, and "Hard Hats." Her voice was also showcased on commercial parodies like "Jewess Jeans," "Angora Bouquet," and "Chanel." Fellow original SNL writer Rosie Shuster returns to the podcast to help us look back to remember not only Anne Beatts the writer, but also the person. As the only two female writers when the show began, Anne and Rosie were paired together from the very beginning—forming a partnership that would last throughout the original era. Rosie recounts her time with Anne from their hilarious first meeting to late night writing sessions and pulling off iconic moments like the very first Roseanne Roseannadanna as well as discussing how Anne's work on the show's pre-tapes helped pave the way for the rest of her career. In addition, she recounts how Anne fought for equality in the writers room, kept control over her characters, and brought a sense of style and humor to everything she did. Anne Beatts was a 5-time Emmy nominee, winning for SNL's first season. She also won a Writer's Guild Award for her work on the Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary Special. Aside from her work on SNL, Anne created the sitcom, Square Pegs (starring Sarah Jessica Parker) and was a producer on A Different World. --------------------------------- 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

    41 min
  3. Cut For Time: Andy Kaufman's Bizarre "Funhouse"

    APR 28

    Cut For Time: Andy Kaufman's Bizarre "Funhouse"

    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

    42 min
  4. Bonus Preview: Reviewing Who (A Doctor Who Podcast)

    APR 21 ·  BONUS

    Bonus Preview: Reviewing Who (A Doctor Who Podcast)

    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

    22 min
  5. Deep Thoughts: When Fridays Challenged Saturday Night Live

    APR 14

    Deep Thoughts: When Fridays Challenged Saturday Night Live

    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

    54 min
  6. VINTAGE The Early Years of SNL: S03E20 Buck Henry/Sun Ra (May 20, 1978)

    APR 7

    VINTAGE The Early Years of SNL: S03E20 Buck Henry/Sun Ra (May 20, 1978)

    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

    1h 10m
  7. The Early Years of SNL: Saturday Night Live's Original Era (Part 2)

    MAR 31

    The Early Years of SNL: Saturday Night Live's Original Era (Part 2)

    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

    1h 39m
  8. The Early Years of SNL: Saturday Night Live's Original Era (Part 1)

    MAR 24

    The Early Years of SNL: Saturday Night Live's Original Era (Part 1)

    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

    1h 54m
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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 all things SNL - the show that has become an institution, defining comedy for over 50 years.

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