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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