Happy 50th, Saturday Night Live
In 1975 Wheel of Fortuned debuted in January and a month later Margaret Thatcher was elected Prime Minister of Great Britain. American military involvement in Vietnam came to an end after decades and New York City went bankrupt. In October of the same year I moved to New York City, and in that same month Saturday Night Live aired its first episode. Fifty years later I'm still in New York City and Saturday Night Live is still going strong.
I had the amazing fortune to participate in The SNL 50 Experience last week. It was an immersive tour of some of the highlights of the show over the last 50 years. I was somewhat of an anomaly at the Experience. I was one of the few people there who had been born when the show was first aired, let alone someone who watched the very first season.
Looking back, the first season of what was then called The Not Ready for Prime Time Players introduced Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Akroyd, Jane Curtin and Chevy Chase. The next 49 seasons would continue to present some/most of American comedy that went far beyond the weekly show.
I got to visit a model of the hair and makeup studio
The Experience included models of the Saturday Night Live studios. There was a model of the stage -- and we got to be introduced just like the hosts. This is the clip that I posted on Instagram. We also had the opportunity to be part of the Weekend Update segment, which was incredible fun. And no, I am not actually drinking scotch in my star turn.
Buttercup at her dream job, as part of the Weekend Update team
Our final Experience event was a visit to Wayne's World. We stepped into the basement in Aurora, Illinois and I expected that Wayne and Garth ( Mike Myers and Dana Carvey) would be sitting on the couch. It was a perfect replica and I was definitely taking giant steps back in time and space.
We just need Wayne and Garth to complete the scene
The day was completed with a visit to the Five Time Hosts lounge and and refreshments -- Prosecco and sparkling cider -- were served.
An enormous thanks to NBC Saturday night Live for an iconic and amazing afternoon, and a bigger thanks to the cast and writers of Saturday Night Live. Thanks for fifty years of laughter, music and some of the most iconic moments of the last decades.
My SNL afternoon was an amazing way to end January. February has some treats ahead, too. I'll be reporting back on No-Spending January and the Journey of 1,000 Miles. We have two anniversaries: the 200th anniversary of my synagogue and Buttercupland's Sweet Sixteen. I'm planning for visits to a new coffee shop and to Brooklyn, and of course, we'll be celebrating Valentine's Day. Please stop by and be part of the fun.
As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.
5 comments
Wow, this looks like a really fun experience. I remember 1975 but didn't ever watch SNL much - except when John McCain made Sarah Palin his running mate. Tina Fey did a spot on impression of Sarah Palin and I usually laughed until I cried watching it. I hope you have a wonderful February! See you again soon!
A walk down memory lane with this post, Carol. Thanks!
That looks like loads and loads of fun! Who didn't love SNL, especially in its early days. And still going strong!
What fun you have.
You have had some fun experiences with shows in NYC. This does sound like it was a great time. We would have enjoyed that, also. SNL has had some great shows - - - some more enjoyable than others for sure.
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