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. The Early Years of SNL: S05E09 Teri Garr/The B-52's (1/26/80)

    1D AGO

    The Early Years of SNL: S05E09 Teri Garr/The B-52's (1/26/80)

    SNL steps into the new decade with film and television actress Teri Garr as the first host of the 80s. But, after closing out the 70s in strong fashion, the show takes a few steps backwards. It seems to have lost any sense of identity it forged prior to the holiday break, and a whopping seven featured players credited this week. And yet, while it might be very hard to see at times, this was the episode nominated for the Emmy for Writing this season! Though there are glimpses of what the show will become - especially in regards to its political humor. But there is a silver lining! In addition to a wickedly smart and funny cold open and a look back at Mr. Bill’s childhood, Saturday Night Live also kicks off the 80s with its first of several new wave/punk acts as The B-52's serve as musical guest – an appearance one of us ranks among the the all-time best of the original era. Fun Fact: SNL gets its first appearance by a presidential candidate in this episode! --------------------------------- Subscribe today! 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

    59 min
  2. My SNL Story: Patrick Weathers

    6D AGO

    My SNL Story: Patrick Weathers

    Season Six of Saturday Night Live is one of the most infamous in the show's history. The show attempts the near impossible task of continuing on with a brand new cast, an almost entirely new writing staff, and – most notably – without Lorne Michaels producing. Patrick Weathers, a Featured Player that season, joins us to pull back the curtain on the very brief Jean Doumanian year of SNL. Ever the raconteur, he shares his journey from opening act for The Meters (former SNL musical guests), to cold calling producers and forcing them to let him audition, to his whirlwind tenure on the show. Patrick tells tales of auditioning alongside Paul Reubens (at which a famous director friend may or may not have been in attendance for) and watching a young Eddie Murphy’s stand up before he was cast, to what it was like trying to replace the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players and work for a producer that not many had faith in. He talks about his favorite hosts, memorable sketches, and writers he learned from. He also gives a first-hand account of Doumanian’s final week at SNL – which started with Bill Murray returning to the SNL and ended with her (and him) being fired. Patrick gives us an inside look at an era of the show rarely talked about. And, along the way, he also drops nuggets about Woody Allen, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Studio 54, Dan Aykroyd, Scotland Yard, Dick Ebersol, and even Lorne. --------------------------------- Subscribe today! 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

    59 min
  3. The Early Years of SNL: S05E08 Ted Knight/Desmond Child & Rouge (12/22/79)

    NOV 11

    The Early Years of SNL: S05E08 Ted Knight/Desmond Child & Rouge (12/22/79)

    Veteran actor Ted Knight hosts the S5 Christmas episode as SNL says goodbye to the 70s. As a present (to Gilda, we're guessing), Desmond Child and Rouge are the musical guest. While The Mary Tyler Moore Show star brings the comedic chops and appears to have a lot of fun, this episode is known more for the myth and legend surrounding it than the material itself. Andy Kaufman wrestles a woman (again) in his final Saturday Night Live appearance of the original era and the Nerds sketch is known more for its battle with the censors than for its actual content ("You can't give noogies to the Virgin Mary!"). But, not all is lost! We do get a great Schiller's Reel and, did we mention the host was Ted Knight? You can't not like the guy. Speaking of guys you can't not like, we're joined once again by Ian Fermaglich who talked to a few people associated with this episode on his podcast, Ian Talks Comedy and shares some first hand stories about the night. --------------------------------- Subscribe today! 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 7m
  4. The Early Years of SNL: S05E07 Martin Sheen/David Bowie (12/15/79)

    NOV 4

    The Early Years of SNL: S05E07 Martin Sheen/David Bowie (12/15/79)

    Innovative. Iconic. Legendary. These are just a few words to describe the one and only David Bowie. And all could be used to describe any one of his musical performances on his very first appearance on SNL. Bowie helps ring out the 70s as the musical guest alongside host, Martin Sheen. His three songs are not only the highlight of this episode but all of season five. So much so, it is easy to forget that Saturday Night Live did actual comedy this episode. And while the comedy is up and down – ranging from the fun to the bizarre to the just long and boring – there are still some nuggets in there worthy of "best bits." This is a MUST-SEE episode from the original era of SNL. Speaking of "must-see" please check out this car ad from 1979 and tell us if this is Nick Nolte or not. --------------------------------- Subscribe today! 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 21m
  5. VINTAGE NR4PTP: The Early Years of SNL: S2E6 Buck Henry/The Band (10/30/76)

    OCT 28

    VINTAGE NR4PTP: The Early Years of SNL: S2E6 Buck Henry/The Band (10/30/76)

    Saturday Night Live has aired live on Halloween only FOUR times in its 50+ years. As a treat this week, we're releasing a VINTAGE episode of The Early Years of SNL looking back at the memorable Season 2 outing hosted by Buck Henry that came close—airing just one day before Halloween and marking the first time the show leaned into the holiday. The episode is filled with spooky sketches and scary characters, but it's perhaps better known for two reasons: the infamous moment when John Belushi accidentally hit Buck Henry in the head with his samurai sword, cutting him on live television, and serving as Chevy Chase's final episode as a cast member. In addition, this historic night also marked the final television appearance for the original lineup of The Band. We were joined by The Saturday Night Network's Jon Schneider once again to help break down this memorable episode. This episode was originally released on November 7th, 2023. --------------------------------- Subscribe today! 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
  6. Deep Thoughts: Love Johnny Carson

    OCT 23

    Deep Thoughts: Love Johnny Carson

    Today marks what would have been the 100th birthday of The King of Late Night – Johnny Carson. To celebrate, we're joined by our old friend Mark Malkoff, whose new book Love Johnny Carson offers a captivating look back at the 30 years Johnny Carson spent behind the desk of The Tonight Show. Mark has an extensive history with Johnny Carson beginning with The Carson Podcast, which ran for over 8 years and featured conversations with more than 300 guests – including writers, crew members, musicians, comedians, and so many of Carson's famous guests. Now, he's compiled those interviews along with four additional years of research (and more interviews) into this heartfelt love letter to one of television's greatest icons. Over the course of our discussion, Mark shares his process in writing the book, explores what made Johnny Carson so special and unique, and reminds us of just how important Carson was during his three decades in late night. He shares stories about Chevy Chase, Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Joan Rivers, as well as reveals his favorite Johnny Carson guest and his pick for Johnny's "Best Bit." Love Johnny Carson is out now. Click here to grab your copy. --------------------------------- Subscribe today! 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

    51 min
  7. The Early Years of SNL: S05E06 Howard Hesseman/Randy Newman (12/8/79)

    OCT 21

    The Early Years of SNL: S05E06 Howard Hesseman/Randy Newman (12/8/79)

    Johnny Fever himself, Howard Hesseman, takes the reins for his first time hosting SNL, along with the return of future 5-Timer Randy Newman as the musical guest. Hesseman has a long history of improv, and it shows here as he blends seamlessly into the cast and displays a wide range of characters throughout the episode. While the sketches themselves might not always land (and a few of them wouldn't fly today), the host manages to hold his own and is fun to watch whenever he's on screen. Rabid Head of the Class fan Bill Kenney is back on the podcast to once again talk old school Saturday Night Live. We debate the merits of Randy Newman, look to start a push to bring back '70s lexicon, and try to figure out when in the hell Peter Aykroyd is going to get his "Featured Player" credit. --------------------------------- Subscribe today! 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 3m
  8. Deep Thoughts: This is Spinal Tap

    OCT 16

    Deep Thoughts: This is Spinal Tap

    With Sabrina Carpenter hosting this week's SNL in support of her new album—obviously a direct homage to the early '80s heavy metal classic Smell the Glove—we're looking back at the film that took us backstage with one of England's loudest bands. This is Spinal Tap is absolutely loaded with Saturday Night Live connections. The film is Rob Reiner's (S1 host) directorial debut, which he co-wrote with stars Christopher Guest (S10 cast), Michael McKean (S9 host, S19-20 cast), and Harry Shearer (S5, S10 cast). It also features appearances by Billy Crystal (S9 host, S10 cast), Dana Carvey (S12-18 cast), Paul Shaffer (S5 cast, S12 host), Fred Willard (S4 host), Howard Hesseman (3x host), Ed Begley Jr. (S10 host), and Anjelica Huston (S11 host). We're turning things up to 11 as we explore the groundbreaking cult classic that created the mockumentary genre and redefined what comedy could be. We talk tiny Stonehenge, spontaneously combusting drummers, and the very fine line between stupid and clever. --------------------------------- Subscribe today! 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

    59 min
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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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