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.

---------------------------------
Subscribe today!
Follow us on social media:
X (Twitter): NR4PTProject
Bluesky: nr4ptproject.bsky.social
Instagram: nr4ptproject
Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project

Contact Us:
Website: https://www.nr4project.com
Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

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.

---------------------------------
Subscribe today!
Follow us on social media:
X (Twitter): NR4PTProject
Bluesky: nr4ptproject.bsky.social
Instagram: nr4ptproject
Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project

Contact Us:
Website: https://www.nr4project.com
Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com

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)!

---------------------------------
Subscribe today!
Follow us on social media:
X (Twitter): NR4PTProject
Bluesky: nr4ptproject.bsky.social
Instagram: nr4ptproject
Facebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time Project

Contact Us:
Website: https://www.nr4project.com
Email: nr4ptproject@gmail.com