The Not Ready for Prime Time Project: An SNL Retrospective – Details, episodes & analysis

This is it! The episode many people put up as the greatest in Saturday Night Live history. Steve Martin returns for his THIRD time hosting this season. The Blues Brothers are introduced to the world as the musical guest. And, if you didn't know any better, you just might think this was a "Best of" compilation.
There is so much great material and so much going on that we couldn't contain it to only one episode. In Part 1  we discuss the cold open & introduction of The Blues Brothers, an all time classic monologue, the Festrunk Brothers, AND Theodoric of York, Medieval Barber.  And that is BEFORE we even get to Weekend Update!
If that wasn't enough, we are joined by legendary band leader, musician, and SNL alum Paul Shaffer. Paul shares his memories from this night, the early days of the show, and what it was like putting The Blues Brothers Band together.

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Michael Sarrazin was a Canadian. He was an actor. And, near the end of the Season Three, he hosted Saturday Night Live. A jazz pianist (Keith Jarrett) and an all-tuba band (Howard Shore's Gravity) are the musical guests. None of this is made up. 
There is a lot going on and a lot to talk about in this one. To help make sense of it all, we are joined by Mark Malkoff from "Inside Late Night."  We even try to get Don Novello on the phone help figure a few things out.  

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Miskel Spillman, the 80 yr. old winner of the "Anyone Can Host" contest, take the reins of Season 3's Christmas show.  Not to worry, friend of show Buck Henry is also on hand to keep things on track.
All things must come to end as we get the last Mr. Mike's Least-Loved Bedtime Story as well as the final appearance of a certain Weekend Update correspondent (sort of).
But, this episode is most known for the musical guest. Elvis Costello (as a last minute replacement) delivers one of the most iconic performances in history of Saturday Night Live - one that gets him banned from the show for over a decade.
Craig Wehler, winner of OUR "Anyone Can Host" contest, guides us through this episode as Brad & Gary sit back as guests (along with a special guest of our own).

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Fresh off her Emmy win (and Grammy nomination), Mary Kay Place brings the "pep" as she hosts SNL w/ musical guest, Willie Nelson.  Does the pedigree and hype live up to the performance?  For either?
Even Andy Kaufman returns to help the cause - and he brings his bongos!
Can some reoccurring characters and a classic Gilda commercial parody help make this episode one to remember?

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Buck Henry becomes the first member of the yet-to-be-coined Five Timers Club as he returns once again to host this week's Saturday Night Live.  Season 1 favorite Leon Redbone is also back as the musical guest.
It is a bit of an odd episode as much of it is dedicated to introducing viewers to, and getting them familiar with, the five finalists for the "Anyone Can Host" contest.
The Saturday Night Network's Jon Schneider is the first member of OUR Five Timers Club as he continues to accompany us on our journey of "all things Buck."

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Music legend Ray Charles pulls double duty this week hosting AND performing (a lot) on this episode of Saturday Night Live.  Not only does Charles sing some of his classic hits, but also does an admirable job in the sketches in which he is a part of.
Special Guest, Franklyn Ajaye, performs a stand up set and BOTH spend more time on their feet than Broderick Crawford.  So there's that. 

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A classic, perhaps ALL-TIME, episode of Saturday Night Live with host Charles Grodin, who didn't know there would actually be an audience (or...that the show was live)!
Grodin brings his own unique humor and sensibilities to this episode that is also packed with some all-time classic sketches - many with recurring characters and the introduction of a couple of the most famous ones.
Don't worry SNL fans, Paul Simon returns (this time with The Persuasions) to the show as does The SNL in Review's Andy Hoglund to the podcast.  There is A LOT to get into with one!

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Once again, Saturday Night Live puts the show in the hands of a host not known for their comedic chops. Hugh Hefner (in pajamas and w/ pipe) not only hosts the show this week, but his presence is felt throughout as the show leans VERY heavily into the fact that Hef is Hef. 
There are some stand out performances by Laraine and Bill in this episode as they do wonderful impressions of some classic film stars. 
Andy Kaufman is also back for the first time in a long time, and Libby Titus (don't act like you don't know) performs!

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Madeline Kahn is BACK!!! The host of one of the best episodes of season 1 returns! Can she make this episode as wonderful as her last? Will she sing? Will she do anything other than sing?
In many ways this episode is very hit or miss, except when it comes to Taj Mahal! His performance (sadly...only one) is ON POINT!!!

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Saturday Night Live is back!!! Is there a better way to kick of the new season than having Steve Martin as the host? We think not.
Season 3 brings with it a larger budget which in turn means higher production value: better costumes, better sets, & extras in scenes NOT played by the writing staff.  It's a whole new look for the show as it vaults into the mainstream consciousness.
We see the debut of the Festrunk brothers, the Franken & Davis Show, a new look to Weekend Update, and some really solid performances by Jackson Browne!
We're back, baby!!

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