The Not Ready for Prime Time Project: An SNL Retrospective

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. --------------------------------- Subscribe today! Follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject [https://twitter.com/NR4PTProject] Instagram: @nr4ptproject [https://www.instagram.com/nr4ptproject/] Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social [http://@nr4ptproject.bsky.social] Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time-Project-100089010324178/] Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com [https://www.notready4ptpod.com] Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

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 [https://twitter.com/NR4PTProject] Instagram: @nr4ptproject [https://www.instagram.com/nr4ptproject/] Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social [http://@nr4ptproject.bsky.social] Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time-Project-100089010324178/] Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com [https://www.notready4ptpod.com] Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

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 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-carson-podcast/id824049190], 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 [https://www.amazon.com/Love-Johnny-Carson-Obsessive-Journey/dp/0593472551/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37BNYAOYR00X4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QgsSYXU6E3cvEaFZ4AGuiTq_CTPso319KnWGjHKGtD6ssI5zZc2N48dyY0uu8_3NTHNAn5xRQjOtZCIuZp2u_f2gKUJpYuk7IqwGqzT9QRwJCTcYJjfjfIph6tTSZXbpL93I0CSEQhIN4Rp3322eBcW3698XCuY5UmBMBThQj7_MR6ZZSirTNUAeMJK5VKRIUgMsgYz2N96aRw3xaBY5ot5aSNvbFDrO8B6wDQyLa_I.i5ieR4fN_siCcKYHJGZODrCeXi3_NafewanvV4NpahY&dib_tag=se&keywords=love+johnny+carson&qid=1760795785&sprefix=love+johnny+carson%2Caps%2C514&sr=8-1] to grab your copy. --------------------------------- Subscribe today! Follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject [https://twitter.com/NR4PTProject] Instagram: @nr4ptproject [https://www.instagram.com/nr4ptproject/] Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social [http://@nr4ptproject.bsky.social] Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time-Project-100089010324178/] Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com [https://www.notready4ptpod.com] Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

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 [https://twitter.com/NR4PTProject] Instagram: @nr4ptproject [https://www.instagram.com/nr4ptproject/] Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social [http://@nr4ptproject.bsky.social] Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time-Project-100089010324178/] Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com [https://www.notready4ptpod.com] Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

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 [https://twitter.com/NR4PTProject] Instagram: @nr4ptproject [https://www.instagram.com/nr4ptproject/] Bluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.social [http://@nr4ptproject.bsky.social] Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time-Project-100089010324178/] Contact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.com [https://www.notready4ptpod.com] Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com