Advertise on podcast: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project: An SNL Retrospective

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

Milestones are supposed to shine. SNL’s 100th did something stranger: it skipped a host, stacked cameos, and unintentionally made flogging history when Paul Shaffer became the first person to drop the F bomb during the live broadcast. For the first time, Saturday Night Live goes without a proper host, relying instead on a slew of cameos. From Michael O’Donoghue and John Belushi (twice!) to Ralph Nader, Michael Palin, and NYS senator Daniel Moynihan - apparently NOT related to Bobby - who pops up twice. And, if you look closely, current Paul Simon girlfriend Carrie Fisher sneaks into a sketch.  All of which add to a show that while entertaining, often feels discombobulated. But don’t worry!  Friend of the show Paul Simon returns (of course) to sing a few songs alongside James Taylor (who also appears in a sketch). And, in keeping with this episode’s spirit of sharing the wealth, SNL-bandmember David Sanborn also plays a song. Happy 100th, SNL!  Here’s to 900 more!! --------------------------------- 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: [email protected]

Throughout the storied history of SNL, one constant move has been booking hot stand-up comedians to host the show. And in early 1980, there were very few hotter than Rodney Dangerfield, who having already cameoed once in Season 4, comes ready to play. Unfortunately, he isn’t given much to play with. The highlight of this episode just might be the monologue, where Rodney shows why he is one of the best. After that, there are a series of sketches that run the gamut from questionable to tired to downright offensive. Though it must be said that the Murray Brothers do come through near the end with a really great sketch. The J. Geils Band do their best as musical guest to inject a little life into this one. But is it enough? We are joined by Jason Morris, of the amazing Classic SNL Reviews blog, to talk about this episode of Saturday Night Live - one that is near and dear to his heart. --------------------------------- 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: [email protected]

Kirk Douglas hosted Saturday Night Live? Yes, yes he did. Along with R&B legends Sam & Dave as the musical guest. This did happen. How did it turn out? Well…the show opens with Douglas doing what looks to be a Dorf impression. And it only gets better from there.  As “The Early Years” of SNL get closer to its end, we start to say goodbye to many fan favorites. We get the final Schiller’s Reel of the original era, the last appearance of Jane’s “Joan Face,” and the final installment of “What if?” We do learn the last name of Nick the Lounge Singer, so perhaps it is not a total loss.  --------------------------------- 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: [email protected]

Ho, ho, Hoooo!  Our season of celebrating the holidays comes to a close with this VINTAGE re-release of our very first edition of Tournament Talk. Fittingly, for this inaugural outing, we brought a few of our friends in to discuss and debate our Favorite SNL Holiday Moments. We had a lot of fun looking back at 50 years of memorable holiday sketches, pre-tapes, and performances as we battled it out over our top 16 favorite Saturday Night Live holiday moments. Thomas Sena joins us to intro the episode and (spoiler alert) talk about some of our favorite moments that didn’t make it to the competition. Happy Holidays! --------------------------------- 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: [email protected]

We continue to celebrate the holiday season by looking back at a movie that is a must watch this time of year – Scrooged! Bill Murray returns to acting after a four-year hiatus to star in this modern retelling of Charles Dickens’ immortal classic, "A Christmas Carol," that’s infused with the chaotic energy of the live television and Saturday Night Live. Though originally panned by critics – as well as Murray and others involved in making the film – it has endured as one of the modern Christmas classics. The script, written by SNL’s Michael O’Donoghue and Mitch Glazer, famously got reworked during the filming but the final product has stood the test of time.  Murray delivers a layered performance, the supporting cast is stellar, and the blend of dark humor and heart hits just right. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and (re)watch this movie today! --------------------------------- 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: [email protected]

Christmas is coming early this year to The Not Ready for Prime Time Project. This week we’re re-releasing a VINTAGE episode of The Early Years of SNL as we look back at not only the best holiday episode of the original (or any) era, but also one of the best episodes of the entire first five years. Candice Bergen returns to Saturday Night Live for the 3rd time to host the Christmas episode for the second year in a row. This one is loaded with killer sketches from “Adopt Belushi for Christmas” to “Santi-Wrap” to the iconic “Consumer Probe.” It's got a great monologue and two sketches, “Gary Gilmore” and “The Killer Trees,” which are sleeper gems you may have forgotten about. And, speaking of forgetting, we also get one of the most memorable “breaks” in show history as Candice forgets who is playing who in a sketch and calls Gilda by Candice’s own character’s name, causing both women to just lose it. To top it all off, Frank Zappa performs three numbers – all of which are top notch. He even manages to sneak into a sketch. We love this episode. We hope you do too.  Happy holidays!  --------------------------------- 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: [email protected]

SNL looks to pick up the pieces as it turns into the back half of Season 5 as old standby Elliott Gould returns to become the third host in show history to do it a fifth time (a feat that wouldn’t be repeated for over six years).  Gould clearly knows his way around the show, as evidenced by his “laissez-faire” approach to this episode, yet he isn’t given much material to work with. It’s not a good sign when the only bit the man notorious for always kicking off his Saturday Night Live appearances with a song and dance is reduced to simply eating a carrot stick for his monologue. He’s forced to wait until he dresses up as a bear for an uncopyrighted Canadian retelling of “The Wizard of Oz” sketch to do both.  But, the episode does kick off with a fun cold open that turns into a runner – something we have not seen for quite awhile – and Harry Shearer continues to shine when he’s given the spotlight. And, the show continues to showcase new and interesting musical acts with Gary Numan as this week’s 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: [email protected]

They say “you can never go home again.” But maybe, what they meant was that you just simply shouldn’t. Original Not Ready for Prime Time Player and first breakout star of SNL, Chevy Chase returns for his second time hosting and it does not take long for things to go off the rails. An obviously impaired Chevy is covered in flop sweat, has trouble reading his lines, and at times struggles with the English language.  Not to be outdone, musical guest Marianne Faithfull arrives at Saturday Night Live equally impaired – if not more. She struggles through two performers off her comeback album, Broken English, and at times seems to be someplace else.  These two combine for one of the greatest – and most infamous – trainwrecks in show history. And what would a trainwreck be without The SNL in Review’s legendary Andy Hoglund on hand to help sort through it all? Andy joins us to defend the musical guest, give his sympathies to Harry Shearer, and debate the pros and cons of drug use. Make sure to listen all the way through to the end to hear a snippet of one of the tracks off Chevy’s debut album. It is….AMAZING! --------------------------------- 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: [email protected]

In the spirit of giving thanks, we wanted to say thank you to everyone with a VINTAGE re-release of The Early Years of SNL that celebrates an episode of Saturday Night Live that originally aired 50 years ago this week. This episode of SNL comes only six weeks into the show's existence and yet the Lily Tomlin-hosted affair is one of the very best of the show's first season. The show is just beginning to see the reward for recurring bits as Chevy Chase's Gerald Ford and Landshark both make their return to the program, as does Garrett Morris' “News for the Hard of Hearing.” We also get original material in the form of John Belushi's Beethoven impression, a commercial parody for "Spud Beer," and the legendary "Hard Hats" sketch. Lily even makes The Muppets bearable! This episode was originally released on May 2nd, 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: [email protected]

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 & 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: [email protected]