Comments on: '"SNL's" First Season on DVD

By: Rich Heldenfels

Rich Heldenfels — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 01:45:50 +0000

You're probably right about the date (although Simon was on the show on both of those occasions). The book I quoted has part of Simon's monologue, with a reference to Thanksgiving.

By: Gus

Gus — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 00:47:38 +0000

Rich, I think the SNL book may have given the wrong date on Paul Simon in the turkey suit. He was in that suit the same show he appeared with George Harrison in 1976. I've seen this show on NBC before when WKYC still aired a "classic" SNL immediately following the new one.

Paul mentioned in the cold opening to Lorne Michaels and George that he wasn't sure how well the monologue was going to work. When he stormed offstage in the turkey costume during the monologue, he also said something about it being close to Thanksgiving. There was also a bit during the cold opening where Paul greeted Chevy Chase outside the studio and asked him how things were going since he'd left the show, which definitely puts it in the second season. Next DVD set for sure!

Incidentally, according to the "Saturday Night: a Backstage History" book, the segments that night with George Harrison were all pre-recorded due to a scheduling conflict.

By: Rich Heldenfels

Rich Heldenfels — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 18:24:58 +0000

This isn't Kermit and Piggy. These were adult, and deliberately provocative, Muppets. But they only lasted 13 weeks. According to one "SNL" book, the writers hated creating sketches for them.

Steve Martin first hosted on Oct. 23, 1976, in the second season. Paul Simon in the turkey suit was on Oct. 18, 1975, in the first season. Paul Simon was with George Harrison on Nov. 20, 1976, second season. Brian Wilson was the week after that. Coneheads started Jan. 15, 1977. (Source of dates: "Saturday Night Live: The First 20 Years.")

By: Duane Boda

Duane Boda — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 17:22:10 +0000

The Muppets? IF you really want to see them then you have tons of choices in their movies and elsewhere besides looking for them on SNL.

The Muppets were and are lame and don't derserve – need to be on SNL at all.

By: Hudson

Hudson — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:55:22 +0000

I can't wait to see the muppets again! The reruns always cut out Jim Henson's Muppets.

By: Gus

Gus — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 12:32:42 +0000

I'm thinking the Coneheads were at the start of the second season. It seems a lot of the things I'm thinking of (Steve Martin's first appearance, Paul Simon in the turkey costume, Paul Simon's duets with George Harrison, Brian Wilson's spaced-out appearance) all happened during the second season. Hopefully the first season will sell enough to warrant subsequent packages. I know I'll be buying!

By: Duane Boda

Duane Boda — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 12:17:09 +0000

Hmm….about time though I wonder exactly when the Coneheads were introduced? After all would could resist Beldar who always insisted on consuming Mass Quantities? I swear that they were ONE of the best parts of SNL in the formative years.

By: nyrB

nyrB — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 18:43:31 +0000

According to Broadway Video (the makers of the DVD), *nothing* has been edited out. That includes all musical performances as well as the Albert Brooks films.

By: Theron

Theron — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 16:27:32 +0000

I wonder if Albert Brooks' short films will be included too.

By: Gus

Gus — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 11:25:53 +0000

Wow.

I really didn't think this would ever happen. Even on Lorne Michaels' own website, the FAQ at one point said this was highly unlikely due to the amount of music clearances and such. Naturally, I have another gift to ask Santa for this Christmas now . . .