Steve Martin returns to host SNL for his 8th time. He won’t return to the show (aside from a memorable cameo) for over 6 years. Perhaps it was because of the deer outfit they had him wear?

Steve hosting Saturday Night Live gets overshadowed by one of the very few people who could pull off such a feat at the time – Paul McCartney. Hiding out in London after his public drug bust, the ex-Beatle was supposed to open the show. But, due to the time change, a mix-up ensued and the runner about getting Paul on the air (he’s debuting the video for his first solo single in 10 years) is the centerpiece of this episode.

The episode is fine and Steve does a good job of having fun (especially when paired with Bill or Gilda), but one of SNL’s greatest hosts leaves the original era on a whimper.

Oh, aside from Paul McCartney’s music video we also get an in-studio performance from 3-D!

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With Saturday Night Live off for a few weeks due to the Olympics, we thought it would be fun to get some friends together to debate our “Favorite SNL Olympic Moments.” That’s right, Tournament Talk is BACK. Sadly, Bill Swerski is not.

From John Belushi up to the recent SNL51 Olympic pre-tape, our panel of SNL superfans discuss, dissect, and debate the best Olympic sketches, pre-tapes, and bits from the show’s 51-year history.

Will your favorite Olympic moment from SNL history make the list? Tune in and see what made the cut, what didn’t, and what took the gold medal.

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SNL finally gets comedy legend Bob Newhart to host the show, and we finally get back together for a “live” episode. In honor of being in the same room, we try something a little different and record immediately after watching each bit.

This episode of Saturday Night Live is famous for not having a lot of material, with only four live sketches (in addition to the cold open). The show doesn’t stray far from the host’s strong suit, but is that a good thing? We’re not sure. But one thing that is certain – if you’re a Bob Newhart fan you’ll enjoy this episode.

The musical guests are a bit of a conundrum. The Amazing Rhythm Aces were a request from Bill Murray (who joins them on stage for one number) and we’re still trying to figure out how Bruce Cockburn got an invite. 

We’ve only got two more episodes left! Here we go...

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Just when you thought Season 5 of SNL might have thrown in the towel, it delivers one of THE BEST episodes of the season! Host Strother Martin knocks it out of the park – whether carrying a sketch or simply in a supporting role – and the veteran character actor delivers in all night long. 

The writing is smart, the performances are on point, and the laughs are plentiful. You don’t even have to be familiar with what the show is satirizing to get the jokes (as one of us shamefully is called out about). To top it all off, The Specials – in their first US television appearance – deliver one of the most energized performances of the season. Top to bottom, everything in this episode clicks – so much so that even we are hard-pressed to find something to complain about with this one.

If that wasn’t enough to get excited about, we are joined one last time by our dear friend Thomas Sena from “The Podcast Which Shall Not Be Named.” We couldn’t ask for a better final guest as we look to bring S5 and the original era of Saturday Night Live to a close!

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While the average SNL fan might not know Andy Aaron by name, they almost certainly know his work—his short films have been showcased on the show several times. His most well-known, "Push Button to Cross Street," was featured in Season 7 and shows an unknowing Tom Davis accidentally push the wrong button and cause a building to collapse.

But Andy's connection with Saturday Night Live goes way back. His friendship with Chevy Chase predates the show and his first short film was one of the best pieces included in Mr. Mike's Mondo Video. He also has a really great one in the Burt Reynolds episode from Season 5 - so good that it prompted us to go out and track him down.

We talk to Andy about ALL his short “disaster” films (including some he did for Sesame Street), his time as a writer on the short-lived The Chevy Chase Show, and working on such film classics as Apocalypse Now, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi.

Note to listeners: We talk to Andy about many particulars of his work. We highly encourage you to check out Andy’s YouTube page to watch his short films before listening to this episode. Don’t worry, they’re very short (and fun)! 

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Not all episodes of SNL are created equal. Some of them…well, they just miss the mark. That is a polite way of describing Burt Reynolds’ hosting of Saturday Night Live’s late Season Five entry.

This episode is well-known for the difficulties it had finding material for the host and it shows. Much of what was delivered manages to offend early and often. And, Burt pretty much plays Burt this episode regardless of what the name of his character is and doesn’t seem to be having too much fun doing so. But, he sure likes to chew gum.

However, the show does finish strong with a GREAT short film and a couple of decent sketches with Burt and Gilda (including the final appearance of Baba Wawa).

Oh, and Anne Murray is back (somehow) as the musical guest.

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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.

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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.

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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!!

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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 blog, to talk about this episode of Saturday Night Live - one that is near and dear to his heart.

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