The Not Ready for Prime Time Project: An SNL Retrospective

Cut For Time: Andy Kaufman's Bizarre "Funhouse"

Awhile back, during our Season Five look back, we wanted to do a "Deep Thoughts" episode on the Andy Kaufman special, Andy's Funhouse, which aired in the summer of 1979 (though it was filmed back in 1977). We were very excited to get into it with such an iconic performer and one of his biggest showcases. We even had a guest lined up—a proclaimed "expert" on Andy Kaufman. Sadly, the day of recording, our guest ghosted us. We had two choices—postpone the recording and try to reschedule with our unprofessional guest or just push on and record with two guys who have only a surface-level knowledge of Andy Kaufman, skimped on the research (since they were supposed to have an expert on the show), but did spend the time watching the special. We decided to press on, by ourselves, and record our own look back on the special. At the end of the day, we chose not to put the episode out. Not because the episode isn't good (we think it is) but because it wasn't AS GOOD as it could have been. But, in going through the vaults of stuff we have after the end of "The Early Years of SNL," we thought it would be fun to share now. So enjoy our look back on the very first Andy Kaufman television special that is at times very interesting, at other times very befuddling, and at many times very entertaining. Andy brings back many (if not all) of his classic bits and welcomes guest stars like Cindy Williams, Howdy Doody, and Wendy Polland (who?). This was actually a lot of fun. --------------------------------- 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

Bonus Preview: Reviewing Who (A Doctor Who Podcast)

This week, we wanted to showcase a different podcast. From our editor, Will, comes his own podcast - Reviewing Who. Brothers Will, Pat, and Tom journey across time and space as they deep-dive into each episode of Doctor Who, beginning in 1963. Reviewing Who is available wherever you get your podcasts. --------------------------------- 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

Deep Thoughts: When Fridays Challenged Saturday Night Live

In the spring of 1980, Saturday Night Live finally met its first competitor. Desperate to steal a piece of the late night comedy pie, ABC premiered its own late night sketch comedy show as SNL was nearing the end of its fifth season. That show was Fridays. Fridays would repackage almost all of SNL's key components—it would air live, it would have sketch comedy from an unknown troupe, there would be a fake news segment, and there would be musical guests. But to be different, the show would be shot on the west coast and—in the beginning—would not have a host. Some might say it would also not be as funny. Lasting only three seasons, and (for a while) hard to find after that, the show would live on primarily as a footnote in the history of its inspiration. But, as is often the case, looking back on something after 40+ years gives new perspective. We're joined by die-hard Fridays fan (and friend) Dennis Perrin to talk about the highs and the lows, the good and the bad, what worked and what didn't, and try to make sense of everything that happened in the show’s too-short run. Live from the Los Angeles basin, it's Fridays! --------------------------------- 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

VINTAGE The Early Years of SNL: S03E20 Buck Henry/Sun Ra (May 20, 1978)

Five years ago today, we lost one of the original writers of SNL—the amazing Anne Beatts. One of only two female writers on the staff when the show began, Anne's contributions were vital, formative, and iconic. She was nominated for an Emmy all five years she wrote for Saturday Night Live, winning for her work in Season One. She also won a Writer's Guild of America Award for her work on the SNL 25th Anniversary Special. We highlight Anne's work in this VINTAGE episode of "The Early Years of SNL," which features one of the most memorable outings from some of her most beloved characters—The Nerds. In this Season Three finale, "Nerds Prom"—coming unsurprisingly in the prime "post-monologue" slot—not only continues to build on the world of Todd & Lisa but introduces the character of Marshall (Todd's father), played to perfection by host Buck Henry. This classic original era episode has Buck in an excellent Olympia Café sketch, working with a "Stunt Puppy," attending the "Sodom Chamber of Commerce," and (of course) visiting with the Samurai. In addition, we are treated to one of the most eclectic musical guests in SNL history in Sun Ra. Jon Schneider from The Saturday Night Network was our guest for this episode, which was originally released on October 1st, 2024. --------------------------------- 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: Saturday Night Live's Original Era (Part 2)

Our look back at Saturday Night Live’s original era has come to an end. We wrap up our final episode of The Early Years of SNL, looking back at all five seasons of the original era. We revisit the journey the show took from a trying-it-out-in-real-time “variety” show (S1) to being a truly experimental and edgy platform (S2), exploding into a cultural juggernaut (S3&4), and eventual fall from grace (S5). Looking back, we remember some of our favorite hosts, musical guests, special guests, and pre-tapes. Of course, we also call out what we didn’t like. We discuss what surprised us, disappointed us, and highlight our favorite forgotten and underrated sketches (we did a whole episode on best bits). To bring it all to a close, we select our best and worst episodes of the original era. And, we finally answer the question everyone’s been asking – “What comes next?” Sort of. Thanks to everyone for listening. “Goodnight, and goodbye.” --------------------------------- 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