SNL steps into the new decade with film and television actress Teri Garr as the first host of the 80s. But, after closing out the 70s in strong fashion, the show takes a few steps backwards. It seems to have lost any sense of identity it forged prior to the holiday break, and a whopping seven featured players credited this week. And yet, while it might be very hard to see at times, this was the episode nominated for the Emmy for Writing this season! Though there are glimpses of what the show will become - especially in regards to its political humor.

But there is a silver lining! In addition to a wickedly smart and funny cold open and a look back at Mr. Bill’s childhood, Saturday Night Live also kicks off the 80s with its first of several new wave/punk acts as The B-52's serve as musical guest – an appearance one of us ranks among the the all-time best of the original era.

Fun Fact: SNL gets its first appearance by a presidential candidate in this episode!

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Season Six of Saturday Night Live is one of the most infamous in the show's history. The show attempts the near impossible task of continuing on with a brand new cast, an almost entirely new writing staff, and – most notably – without Lorne Michaels producing.

Patrick Weathers, a Featured Player that season, joins us to pull back the curtain on the very brief Jean Doumanian year of SNL. Ever the raconteur, he shares his journey from opening act for The Meters (former SNL musical guests), to cold calling producers and forcing them to let him audition, to his whirlwind tenure on the show.

Patrick tells tales of auditioning alongside Paul Reubens (at which a famous director friend may or may not have been in attendance for) and watching a young Eddie Murphy’s stand up before he was cast, to what it was like trying to replace the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players and work for a producer that not many had faith in. He talks about his favorite hosts, memorable sketches, and writers he learned from. He also gives a first-hand account of Doumanian’s final week at SNL – which started with Bill Murray returning to the SNL and ended with her (and him) being fired.

Patrick gives us an inside look at an era of the show rarely talked about. And, along the way, he also drops nuggets about Woody Allen, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Studio 54, Dan Aykroyd, Scotland Yard, Dick Ebersol, and even Lorne.

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Veteran actor Ted Knight hosts the S5 Christmas episode as SNL says goodbye to the 70s. As a present (to Gilda, we're guessing), Desmond Child and Rouge are the musical guest.

While The Mary Tyler Moore Show star brings the comedic chops and appears to have a lot of fun, this episode is known more for the myth and legend surrounding it than the material itself. Andy Kaufman wrestles a woman (again) in his final Saturday Night Live appearance of the original era and the Nerds sketch is known more for its battle with the censors than for its actual content ("You can't give noogies to the Virgin Mary!").

But, not all is lost! We do get a great Schiller's Reel and, did we mention the host was Ted Knight? You can't not like the guy.

Speaking of guys you can't not like, we're joined once again by Ian Fermaglich who talked to a few people associated with this episode on his podcast, Ian Talks Comedy and shares some first hand stories about the night.

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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.

Speaking of "must-see" please check out this car ad from 1979 and tell us if this is Nick Nolte or not.

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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.

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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, 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 to grab your copy.

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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.

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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.

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Season 5 of SNL might just be finding its groove as the one and only Bea Arthur takes the stage as host. Just over a year removed from the end of her Emmy-winning run on Maude, the veteran actress feels right at home with the cast and helps them shine.

Cast members new and old take the spotlight as the audience gets their first real glimpse of what this season could be. Everyone gets a chance to contribute as the sketches are varied, the mood is joyous, and new voices start to emerge from the writers. The episode also bestows the title of "Featured Player" for the first time in Saturday Night Live history—a small but significant moment in the show's evolution.

This is an early Season 5 highlight, even if we're still trying to figure out just what exactly The Roches were and how they got on the show.

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What's one way to turn things around after a rocky start to Season 5? Bring in one of the greatest SNL hosts of all time to right the ship. That's right—Buck's back! Buck Henry returns for his ninth (and penultimate) hosting appearance, and this time he brings along a little-known rock 'n' roll band on the rise: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

For the first time this season, things seem to be okay. In the capable hands of one of the best hosts to ever do it, the cast and writers feel freed from any specters hanging over them and start to find their new identity. With a mix of old favorites (recurring characters, live commercial parodies, a faux disrespect for Buck) and new elements (very long sketches, actors you've never seen before leading sketches, Buck with a beard), Saturday Night Live finally gives the audience a taste of what they've been looking for all season.

As we like to do every season, we're joined once again by The Saturday Night Network's Jon Schneider. We talk toads, Loopner love, and reveal some very private personal habits while driving. Things are looking up!

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