Don Roy King stands as one of live television's most decorated directors, with a remarkable 45-year career that earned him 11 Prime Time Emmys and 8 Director's Guild of America Awards. In 2006, he became only the fourth director in Saturday Night Live's storied legacy, launching a fifteen-year tenure that would see him helm over 300 episodes—making him the second longest-serving director in the show's history. From navigating SNL's post-9/11 comeback to keeping the show going during the COVID pandemic, and shepherding the epic landmark SNL 40th Anniversary celebration he has navigated the show through some of its most challenging, transformative, and celebrated moments.

In this revealing and open conversation, Don takes us behind the scenes of Studio 8H, sharing stories from his "baptism by fire" early days and breaking down the intricate role of directing live comedy television. He offers insider perspectives on the legendary casts, A-list hosts, and chart-topping musical guests who graced his stage, while reflecting on the seismic shifts he witnessed during his tenure—from the explosive growth of cast sizes to the evolution of musical performances and the rising prominence of pre-taped segments.

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We're back with a re-release of Part 2 of our episode covering the legendary Season 3 Saturday Night Live outing hosted by Steve Martin with musical guests The Blues Brothers.

We've got TWO special guests this time as we are joined by SNL writer Marilyn Suzanne Miller, who discusses her iconic sketch "Dancing in the Dark," and musician Lou "Blue Lou" Marini, a member of the original SNL house band (and The Blues Brothers) who played a pivotal role in the iconic "King Tut" performance.

Please enjoy Part 2 of this VINTAGE episode from The Early Years of SNL.

This episode was originally released on September 18, 2024.

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This week we re-release one of our biggest VINTAGE episodes of The Early Years of SNL. Steve Martin hosting alongside musical guests The Blues Brothers is considered by many to be one of the best episodes in Saturday Night Live history—a theory we cannot argue with.

The episode is packed with all-time classic bits: The Festrunk Brothers, Theodoric of York, Dancing in the Dark, and the legendary King Tut performance. Plus, for the only time EVER in the show's history, two cast members served as the musical guests.

This show is so epic we couldn't contain it in just one episode. In this first of two parts, we're joined by "Mr. Entertainment" himself, Paul Shaffer, to discuss the episode and his involvement with The Blues Brothers Band.

Please enjoy Part 1 of this legendary outing from The Not Ready for Prime Time Players.

This episode was originally released on September 17, 2024.

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This week in 1979, Gilda Radner premiered her live show "Gilda Radner: Live From New York" on Broadway. The show would eventually be captured on film for release as a major motion picture, with a live album also released, completing a three-pronged attempt at capitalizing on Gilda's popularity and pushing her (and Saturday Night Live) even further into the public spotlight.

The show, which ran for over 50 performances in the fall of 1979, was primarily made up of recurring characters and sketches from Gilda's SNL repertoire. Father Guido Sarducci was also on hand to help transition between sketches and give Gilda time to change from character to character. The live show was produced and directed by Lorne Michaels, while the film adaptation would be directed by Mike Nichols.

While we focus mostly on the film, we go back to cover the complete story of the "Gilda Live" project—from its inception and the failed attempt at originally recording a live album, to the successful (and extended) Broadway run, and up to the less-than-successful film adaptation that followed.

From Broadway triumph to Hollywood disappointment—we look back and revisit what happened when the last bright star of SNL's original era tried to take her shot at superstardom.

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One of our favorite aspects of revisiting The Early Years of SNL has been examining the so-called "trainwrecks" and legendary "banned" guests that have become part of the show's mythology. We got our first real taste of this at the end of Season 1 with the infamous summer episode hosted by Louise Lasser, featuring The Preservation Hall Jazz Band as musical guest.

History has branded Lasser as one of the worst hosts in Saturday Night Live's 50-year run—a reputation largely cemented by Lorne Michaels' decision to keep this episode out of reruns for decades. With only secondhand accounts and show lore to go on, the episode's notoriety grew in the shadows. But is the reputation deserved?

Granted, this episode has its problems. While there are many issues to unpack, the blame extends far beyond just the host. What we can say definitively is this: it's not even the worst episode of THE SEASON.

We're joined, for the first time, by Andy Hoglund from SNL in Review as we sift through the big swings, bold choices, and questionable decisions (across the board) that make this one of the most talked-about episodes in the show's history.

This episode was originally released on August 29, 2023.

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Throughout the 50-year history of Saturday Night Live, there have been a few things you could always count on: "Live From New York, It's Saturday Night!", Weekend Update, Paul Simon showing up whenever he pleases... and of course, the legendary talk show sketch!

From celebrity chat shows gone wrong to morning programs spiraling into chaos, SNL has perfected the art of skewering television's most beloved format. Whether it's the cringe-worthy interviews, over-the-top hosts, or unexpected guest meltdowns, these sketches have given us some of the most quotable moments in comedy history.

This week on Tournament Talk, Bill Swerski assembles a panel of SNL experts to duke it out in the ultimate showdown of Best SNL Talk Show Sketches. Will your favorite gabfest parody make the cut? What all time classic have been forgotten? 

Find out which sketch will be crowned our champion and discover some hidden gems that deserve a spot in the SNL Hall of Fame (we miss you guys)!

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Another VINTAGE episode of The Early Years of SNL this week as we take a look back at Eric Idle's first time hosting Saturday Night Live early in Season 2. With the help of musical guest Joe Cocker (and Stuff), the Monty Python legend's outing delivers one of the best shows of the original era.

Top to bottom, this is a great episode. While it leans heavily on Idle and feels very reminiscent of all things Python, there are still plenty of classic SNL moments that stand out—including Baba Wawa, The Bees, and John Belushi doing his Joe Cocker impression alongside the real Joe Cocker during the musical performance. If that wasn't enough, this is also the episode that introduced us to "The Rutles."

We were joined by our "English Correspondent," Thomas Sena, making his second appearance on the podcast to help break down this Python-meets-SNL masterpiece.

This episode was originally released on October 17th, 2023.

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It's one of the most illustrious groups in entertainment. Highly selective, only 26 SNL hosts have gained admittance to the show's legendary 5-Timers Club in its 50-year history. But what about those who haven't been able to find their way into Saturday Night Live's most exclusive fraternity? Just because they haven't hosted five times doesn't mean they're not among the best, does it?

Bill Swerski is back with another all-star panel to look back at 50 years of SNL hosts and pick the very best who – for whatever reason – have not been able to crack that elusive 5th hosting gig. Together they'll discuss and debate the merits of some of the finest hosts to take the stage at 8H as they look to pick the Best Non-5 Timer Host.

They can't all be Hanks or Martin or Baldwin or Henry. Or…Hill? But they're good enough, they're smart enough, and doggone it – people like them. Join us as we try to pick the best of the best who never quite made it to comedy's most exclusive club.

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This week we have a VINTAGE episode of The Early Years of SNL, looking back at one of the most pivotal moments in the show's original era - Season 2, Episode 11.

Ralph Nader takes the hosting reins while George Benson provides the musical entertainment, and the legendary Andy Kaufman appears as special guest. But the real headline? Nearly three months after Chevy Chase's departure, viewers finally meet the newest Not Ready for Prime Time Player - Bill Murray.

Doug Hill & Jeff Weingrad, co-authors of Saturday Night: The Backstage History of Saturday Night Live, help us not only break down this landmark moment in television history but also share stories from their book - THE definitive account of the original era of SNL.

This episode was originally released on December 12, 2023.

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Are you ready for the summer?

We kick off our off-season coverage with a look back at Meatballs, the scrappy Canadian comedy that surprisingly became one of 1979's biggest successes. Released just a month after SNL's fourth season wrapped, this summer camp romp marked Bill Murray's first starring role and set the stage for what would become one of cinema's most beloved comedy careers.

From the muddy fields of Camp North Star to the heights of Hollywood success, we celebrate this little film about summer camp misfits that helped launch what is quite arguably the greatest film career of any Saturday Night Live alumnus. Join us as we explore how director Ivan Reitman set out to create "his own Animal House" as we discuss the behind-the-scenes antics that defined this production including the last-minute casting of its star, shooting at an operating summer camp, and the reshoots that completely shifted the film's focus.

Because in the end, it really just doesn't matter how a classic gets made. It just doesn't matter.

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