The Not Ready for Prime Time Project: An SNL Retrospective

My SNL Story: Matt Neuman

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 [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: S05E15 Richard Benjamin & Paula Prentiss/The Grateful Dead (4/5/80)

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 [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: S05E14 - Saturday Night Live's 100th Episode

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 [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: S05E13 Rodney Dangerfield/The J. Geils Band (3/8/80)

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 [https://classicsnl.blogspot.com/2018/03/introductionwho-i-am-and-why-im.html] 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 [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: S05E12 Kirk Douglas/Sam & Dave (2/23/80)

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 [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