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
134 episodes
My SNL Story: Don Roy King
Don Roy King stands as one of live television's most decorated directors, with a remarkable 45-year career that earned him 11 Prime Time Emmys and 8 Director's Guild of America Awards. In 2006, he became only the fourth director in S...
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1:11:34
VINTAGE NR4PTP: The Early Years of SNL: S03E18 Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers (4/22/78) - Part 2
We're back with a re-release of Part 2 of our episode covering the legendary Season 3 Saturday Night Live outing hosted by Steve Martin with musical guests The Blues Brothers.We've got TWO special guests this time ...
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1:19:55
VINTAGE NR4PTP: The Early Years of SNL: S03E18 Steve Martin/The Blues Brothers (4/22/78) - Part 1
This week we re-release one of our biggest VINTAGE episodes of The Early Years of SNL. Steve Martin hosting alongside musical guests The Blues Brothers is considered by many to be one of the best episodes in Saturday ...
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57:28
Deep Thoughts: Gilda Live
This week in 1979, Gilda Radner premiered her live show "Gilda Radner: Live From New York" on Broadway. The show would eventually be captured on film for release as a major motion picture, with a live album also released, comple...
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56:45
VINTAGE NR4PTP: The Early Years of SNL: S01E23 Louise Lasser/Preservation Hall Jazz Band (7/24/76)
One of our favorite aspects of revisiting The Early Years of SNL has been examining the so-called "trainwrecks" and legendary "banned" guests that have become part of the show's mythology. We got our first real taste of this at the end...
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1:25:23
Bill Swerski's Tournament Talk: Best SNL Talk Show Sketches
Throughout the 50-year history of Saturday Night Live, there have been a few things you could always count on: "Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!", Weekend Update, Paul Simon showing up whenever he pleases... and of course, the ...
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1:35:50
VINTAGE NR4PTP: The Early Years of SNL: S02E03 Eric Idle/Joe Cocker, Stuff (10/2/76)
Another VINTAGE episode of The Early Years of SNL this week as we take a look back at Eric Idle's first time hosting Saturday Night Live early in Season 2. With the help of musical guest Joe Cocker (and Stuff), the...
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1:14:35
Bill Swerski's Tournament Talk: Best Non-5 Timer SNL Hosts
It's one of the most illustrious groups in entertainment. Highly selective, only 26 SNL hosts have gained admittance to the show's legendary 5-Timers Club in its 50-year history. But what about those who haven't been able to find their...
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2:01:15
VINTAGE NR4PTP: The Early Years of SNL: S02E11 Ralph Nader/George Benson (1/15/77)
This week we have a VINTAGE episode of The Early Years of SNL, looking back at one of the most pivotal moments in the show's original era - Season 2, Episode 11.Ralph Nader takes the hosting reins while George Benson provid...
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1:19:40
Deep Thoughts: Meatballs
Are you ready for the summer?We kick off our off-season coverage with a look back at Meatballs, the scrappy Canadian comedy that surprisingly became one of 1979's biggest successes. Released just a month after SNL'
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1:02:00
The Early Years of SNL: Season 4 Recap
And just like that, another season of SNL is in the books. What a journey Season Four has been—filled with soaring highs and crushing lows that has gone on to help define an era of television comedy. While it was the most popular seaso...
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48:54
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
