Just began to dig into the first season SNL DVDs tonight. As amazing as some of the differences are, even more amazing are some of the similarities.
Differences from the first episode to what we now know and endure love: Multiple musical guests (Billy Preston, Janice Ian) with two songs each. The host (George Carlin) doesn’t participate in any sketches, does a couple stand-up interludes, and does the farewell alone. Two non-cast sketches (the infamous Andy Kaufman Mighty Mouse song and a terrible Jim Henson Muppets bit). The show is called NBC’s Saturday Night. The cast is billed together and last in the open.
But what’s the same? Don Pardo (even though he mistakenly calls the cast “The Not For Ready Prime Time Players”), the cold open with the tagline, a predilection for television and commercial spoofs, Weekend Update, plugs by the host for whatever he’s promoting, and some pretty risqué humor.
There was one particularly hilarious bit: During Weekend Update, Chevy Chase throws over to Laraine Newman, who’s giving a “live report” on “murder at the Blaine Hotel again.”
Laraine Newman: Chevy, I’m standing outside a room on the 15th floor of the Blaine Hotel, where number 38 in a series of grisly and bizarre murders has occurred just over an hour ago. The motive, again - murder, as it has been in the previous 37 slashings. In a fit of pique, the Mayor has called the Blaine Hotel a pockmark on the neck of midtown Manhatten. Once again, grisly death and murder in the Blaine Hotel. Laraine Newman, reporting.
Then the show cuts to a (pretty funny) fake commercial, and then a card for the Blaine Hotel, when:
Don Pardo: Guests of NBC Saturday Night stay at the fabulous Blaine Hotel in midtown Manhattan. The Blaine, a tradition for more than half a century.
Completely hilarious, completely unexpected, flawlessly executed. Another funny and prescient sketch from the first episode: Triple-Trac, the three-bladed razor.
Group project I worked on in my Producing class. Premise: Pop culture/music guru Chuck Klosterman drives around the country checking out various rock-related sites. A travelogue shot with a handheld digital camera look, sort of a Feasting on Asphalt for music.
That being said, it’s our idea, and you can’t take it. Nyah.
