The Not Ready for Prime Time Project: An SNL Retrospective

After looking back on Season 6, we asked ourselves: What if Saturday Night Live DIDN’T fire Jean Doumanian in the middle of the season? How much longer might she have lasted? What might the show go on to become? And how much longer might SNL have even existed?

Thomas Sena and Deremy Dove join Brad and Gary to look at what an alternate history of SNL might look like. They imagine what changes would still have taken place for Season 7 (and beyond), what kind of guests might have been on the show (possibly A LOT of Weird Al), and debate just how long the show would have lasted had Dick Ebersol not come in and taken things over.

And in honor and celebration of the 40th anniversary of the premiere of Season 12—we reveal what the future holds for The Not Ready for Prime Time Project!

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Denny Dillon returns to the podcast to talk with Thomas and Deremy about her time on Saturday Night Live. She talks about what it was like trying to keep SNL alive during Season 6, the uphill battle that was, and what it was like for the show moving from Jean Doumanian to Dick Ebersol.

Denny revisits the whole season, pulling back the curtain on sketches, hosts, and working with fellow castmates such as Joe Piscopo, Gail Matthius, Gilbert Gottfried, and of course, a young Eddie Murphy.

Join us for a firsthand account of what it was like within the walls of Studio 8H during one of the most infamous periods of SNL history.

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We made it! Season 6 of Saturday Night Live! What a ride.

Thomas and Deremy take a final look back at one of the most infamous "eras" in SNL history. They discuss what they liked, what surprised them, and what the learned by watching this whole season. They talk favorite hosts, musical guests, sketches and more.

Join us for one more look back at SNL Season 6!

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Well, we've made it to the Season 6 finale of Saturday Night Live! An abbreviated end to such a monumental season in SNL history.

In the first episode of the Dick Ebersol era, we open with an appearance from a legend of the original cast. New cast members are introduced, including Robin Duke, Tim Kazurinsky, and Tony Rosato. And Al Franken returns with an appearance on Weekend Update.

So much has happened in Season 6's final episodes, and this finale is no exception!

All of this and more on Not Ready for Season 6!

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Bill Murray returns to Saturday Night Live to host what ended up being the final episode of the very brief Jean Doumanian era. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save Season 6—even if he did bring back Delbert McClinton as musical guest.

Hours after this episode ended, Doumanian was fired as Executive Producer of the show. Replaced by Dick Ebersol, many of the cast and writers would also experience their last week at Studio 8H.

But the episode itself? The returning veteran from SNL's original era does all he can and delivers some truly great performances—including possibly the best cold open of the season, a great sketch as a writer, and a really great two-hander with Denny Dillon.

This episode actually showed glimpses of what this group could have been. Sadly, it was not to be.

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Well...we made it! We've finally arrived at one of the most infamous and important episodes in Saturday Night Live history!

This episode of SNL is jam-packed with so much—from the "Who Shot CR" runner to the Rocko Weineretto and Weindullah showdown (with a special guest) to a legendary performance from Prince! If that wasn't enough, Eddie Murphy debuts one of his most iconic characters. And that's not even what this episode is so well known for!

The person most talked about from this episode is Charlie Rocket. He gives maybe his best performance on Weekend Update, has an amazingly unique Rocket Report with host Charlene Tilton, and delivers his most well-known performance on the show when he drops the F-bomb during good nights.

So much to say about this jam-packed and infamous episode on Not Ready for Season 6!

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Blondie's Debbie Harry returns to Saturday Night Live - this time as host AND musical guest. She is only the sixth act to perform double duties in SNL history* - and the first to do it in the non-Lorne era.

We get the return of some Season 6 favorite characters with both Vickie and The Waxmans, two songs from Debbie Harry, and a memorable performance by Marc Weiner rapping as Weindulah. In addition, Funky 4+1 are on hand to make television history with their performance!

Find out what Deremy and Thomas think about this episode on Not Ready for Season 6!

*No, we do not count Lily Tomlin's S1 appearance

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The summer of 1980 delivered some of the most memorable comedies in American film history. One of the most iconic is Caddyshack.

Born from the mind of The National Lampoon (hot off the success of Animal House) the movie stars two SNL alumni - Chevy Chase and Bill Murray - as well as comedic giants Rodney Dangerfield and Ted Knight.

In honor of the film's 46th anniversary of the film's release this week, we look back on the making of a comedy classic. We discuss the film's origins—the brainchild of legends Doug Kenney, Harold Ramis, and Brian Doyle-Murray—as well as the film's development, casting, and the non-stop party that was the film's shoot.

To help with all of this is one of the film's co-stars, Michael O'Keefe, who played caddie Danny Noonan in the film. Michael shares stories from the set, what it was like working with the four comedy legends on the project, and the evolution of the script from an Animal House-esque story about high schoolers working on a golf course to what it ultimately became.

All of that, plus a firsthand account of seeing Lemmings on stage in NYC in the mid-70s, his relationship with the late, great Doug Kenney, and what it is like to be a part of such a monumental pop culture phenomenon—one that is embraced and loved to this day.

"Hey everybody...."

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Season 6 of Saturday Night Live is hosted by actress Sally Kellerman with reggae legend Jimmy Cliff as musical guest. This episode of SNL gives you a bit of everything and keeps you on your toes!

Deremy and Thomas discuss a jam-packed episode with three musical numbers and a very interesting (and unique) Rocket Report as well! We also have a stacked Weekend Update with commentary from Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo as well as the introduction of Rocko Weineretto—performed by Marc Weiner.

All of this and more on Not Ready for Season 6!

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Season Six of Saturday Night Live continues with Robert Hays, star of the Homeward Bound and Airplane! films, as host.

Does this episode keep the momentum of Karen Black going or does it struggle to maintain it?

There are quite a few controversial sketches in this episode, but we also get the announcement of one of SNL's all-time great cast members being promoted to repertory player. And don't forget about Joe "King" Carrasco, The Crowns, or 14 Karat Soul!

All of this and more on Not Ready for Season 6!

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This episode of SNL Season 6—hosted by Karen Black with musical guests Cheap Trick and The Stanley Clarke Trio—is often regarded as a high point of the season. And to talk about such a revered episode, Deremy and Thomas are joined by The Saturday Night Network's Bill Kenney!

They break down everything from this episode—from Karen Black's hosting job to the debut of Joe Piscopo's Frank Sinatra impression. Was Joe's Sinatra impression his best of the night? Did Charlie Rocket give us his best episode of the season so far? And which sketches were the best of the episode?

All of this and more on Not Ready for Season 6!

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For this week of Season 6, Saturday Night Live has the very energetic Ray Sharkey hosting the show. Will Ray's hosting be as infamous and memorable as the previous host?

This episode of SNL has so much going for it, including a shockingly good punk rock performance from Ray Sharkey as well as former Cream lead singer Jack Bruce on hand as the musical guest. There is also a unique and meta sketch mocking New Year's Eve and - with the show running short - the legendary Eddie Murphy kills time with a stand-up routine.

We also witness Thomas changing Deremy's mind about a certain aspect of the episode. All of this and more on Not Ready for Season 6!

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Well, it's the Christmas episode for Season 6 and this week has David Carradine from the show Kung Fu hosting! And yet, this episode of SNL is better known for the infamous hosting job that David Carradine delivered.

This episode is jam-packed with a Mr. Bill short, a classic sketch with Patrick Weathers giving a great Bob Dylan impression, a classic Gail Matthius sketch, and more. We also have one of the most unique musical performances in Saturday Night Live history with a performance from the cast of The Pirates of Penzance!

Hold on as Thomas and Deremy guide us through this epic episode!

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It's 133 minutes of screen time, we've got a full glass of Orange Whip, two podcasters, an author, and we're recording. Hit it!

That's right, we're celebrating the anniversary of the release of the 1980s classic comedy The Blues Brothers. Starring Saturday Night Live alumni Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, the film has endured for over 45 years and become not only a comedy classic but also a work of cultural significance, preserved by the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress.

We are joined once again by Aykroyd and Belushi biographer Daniel de Vise to look back on this "mission from God." Together, we discuss the origins of the film itself—from story and script to casting and production—to its lasting legacy and importance in both comedy and the music of the blues.

Along the way, we recount classic musical performances, amazing stunt sequences, and some of our favorite moments from a film that STILL keeps us laughing. Much like a high-speed chase down Lower Wacker Drive, it is full of high stakes, eventful twists and turns, and even a few surprises.

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The Scream Queen herself Jamie Lee Curtis hosts this week's episode of Saturday Night Live—and she brings it!

This very entertaining episode of SNL features standout performances from the cast including Gail Matthius with a great Brooke Shields impression. And... Eddie Murphy has been promoted to featured player role on the show.

Plus we get a memorable and legendary musical performance from the Godfather of Soul James Brown!

All of this and more on Not Ready for Season 6!

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Not Ready for Season 6 is back and we're looking at how the cast and writers of SNL bounce back after last week's infamous outing.

This episode of Saturday Night Live was hosted by Ellen Burstyn from the legendary film The Exorcist with The Queen of Soul herself Aretha Franklin bringing the house down as musical guest. And... we get Eddie Murphy in his first speaking role on the show!

Who is starting to emerge from the cast? What do they still need to fix?

All of this on another fun and exciting episode of Not Ready for Season 6!

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The second episode of SNL Season 6 is one of the most infamous in the show's history, considered by many as one of the worst Saturday Night Live episodes of all time! Deremy and Thomas go over all the sketches to find out if all the criticism is legit or not as bad as people say!

Malcolm McDowell is the host for this episode with musical guest Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band—who give an infamous performance as well!

Sit back for the wild ride that is this episode!

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A new era has arrived for Saturday Night Live! A brand new cast, new writers, and Jean Doumanian is the new Executive Producer.

For the Season 6 premiere, they have an all-time host coming back—Mr. Elliott Gould! Find out how this new era truly began and if they deserve the knocks they have been getting over the years!

Join Thomas Sena and Deremy Dove as they go over this season premiere and give their thoughts!

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To help kick off our look back at Season 6 of Saturday Night Live, we talk to one of the cast members from that season—Denny Dillon. In addition to being the very first "new" cast member to say "Live from New York," Denny is also one of the few performers to work with all three Executive Producers of the show—Lorne Michaels, Jean Doumanian, and Dick Ebersol.

But Denny's connection to SNL goes back well before that infamous 1980-81 season. She talks about meeting Gilda Radner before the show even premiered and shares her experiences as a special guest on the third ever episode back in 1975. In addition, we discuss her contribution to Anne Beatts' book "Titters" as well as returning to Studio 8H to be on a children's show prior to starring on SNL.

Denny recounts the extensive audition process she went through at Saturday Night Live, being selected as the last female cast member (beating out a future Oscar winner), and discusses the highs (and lows) of that difficult season. She recounts the uphill battle everyone faced with both the fans and the press while experiencing the thrill of live television and forming bonds that would last for decades.

Denny recounts many highlights from the season including some favorite hosts, musical guests, and sketches. She discusses her tight relationships with fellow cast members, working alongside hosts such as Elliott Gould, Ellen Burstyn, and acting in her favorite sketch of the season with Bill Murray. She also gives a behind-the-scenes look at what things were like when Jean Doumanian left the show and Dick Ebersol (and Michael O'Donoghue) took over.

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Well, the time has arrived!! The Not Ready for Prime Time Project is tackling the infamous Season 6 of Saturday Night Live! For such a big task, the guys have asked Thomas Sena and Deremy Dove from Pop Culture Five Podcast to host this season.

So many changes happen for Season 6, starting with Jean Doumanian replacing Lorne Michaels as the new executive producer. We also have a whole new cast and writing staff as well! This season is one of the most controversial—yet important—in Saturday Night Live history. Thomas and Deremy give their expectations and what they are looking forward to seeing with this upcoming re-watch.

Is Season 6 as bad as everyone says it is? Was Jean Doumanian unjustly fired from the show? And which cast members shine through in Season 6?? Get ready to go on this fun and exciting journey with us as we re-watch Season 6 of Saturday Night Live on The Not Ready for Prime Time Project!!

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