SNL IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT

Only through syndication and The Comedy Channel can I write about the talent on the old Saturday Night Live tv show. And have my readers know what I mean. What an impact. We used to plan our weekends around it. "Well, we can go out to eat Saturday. But if we go to The Plank in Carbondale, then we'll have to be back by 10:30."

There really aren't/weren't a lot of tv shows that had that kind of effect. Of course, this was long before tivo, ipods, A-rod, even VCR home recorders. Actually, it was closer to the time of 8-track tapes, but boy, am I dating myself now. Even with Beta, we couldn't have taped it--not when the show itself was LIVE from New York.

Chevy Chase and his newscasts were my favorites. The others--the Belushis, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtain, Billy Cristal, Chris Farley, Garrett Morris, ad infinitum were so good, too. The guests hosts were usually great, too. And you couldn't miss the opening monologue.

The musical guests left a lot to be desired. Once in a great while someone or some group might be discovered. But for the most part, they weren't much. But it was part of the mystique, part of the reason you watched. In the later shows with Clinton playing the saxophone, the Sprockets, even Ashley Simpson hoedowning after lip syncing were memorable for their futility.

One of my first times in New York, I thought it would be cool to see a show. The consignoir at our hotel laughed at me, telling me those were booked far in advance. Today with Stub Hub and the internet, I'm sure if you wanted to go, you could. But I can't stay up that late anymore.