The original Saturday Night Live had its debut episode on October 11th, 1975. Five years later, that cast and crew called it a day…well, a night to be exact and it was time for a brand new incarnation of Saturday Night Live.
What happened was they promoted founding producer Lorne Michaels’ assistant, Jean Doumanian to the producer role and things went downhill from there.
They renamed the show, Saturday Night Live ’80 and it was the biggest disaster of this late night franchise’s history. Ironically the show lasted for 13 unlucky episodes and after the 12th, Jean Doumanian was fired and Dick Ebersol was brought in to try and fix the train wreck that had happened.
After one show with Ebersol producing, they were saved by a writer’s strike, which gave them time to re-think what had gone wrong and they returned in October of 1981 and managed to re-build SNL into a late night hit show again.
Eventually Lorne Michaels returned to the role of the show’s producer and it continues on to this day…well, last night to be exact.
They’ve kind of buried this monumental flop of a season, so I thought it would be fun to look back at it, kind of like looking at a fiery car wreck that has no survivors. Actually, in this case there were two survivors, Joe Piscopo and Eddie Murphy.
Below are six links to online articles about this horrendous season of SNL and a link to a video that documents the entire season perfectly.
And then there’s the MBIP Coming Attractions as to what’s happening on the blog next week!
How Bad Can It Be? Case File #23: Saturday Night Live’s aborted 1980-81 season - This feature article examines just how bad this season of SNL was.
What Were They Thinking #28: The SNL train wreck of 1980 - Eddie Murphy is mentioned in this article as a teenager that producer Jean Doumanian did not want to hire.
The Untold Truth Of SNL’s Forgotten Season - You have to wonder what would have happened to Al Franken if he would’ve been allowed to take the show over.
Saturday Night Live: 1980-1981 - All the facts and credits from the 1980-81 season.
Looking Back at Saturday Night Live, 1980-1985 - This piece examines the five shaky years that SNL had from 1980 to 1985.
‘Saturday Night Live’: All 145 Cast Members Ranked - Holy shitballs, Robert Downey Jr. gets ranked below The Muppets. That’s some serious shit!
“Saturday Night Live ’80” - 13 Week Theatre - This video tells the whole tale of the horrible season of SNL ’80.
Monday: I went and got the signature sandwich at Theo’s Ice Cream Shop along with some of their sweet ice cream treats. Read all about it tomorrow!
Tuesday: I continue to look back at the foul year of 2020 by highlighting posts of what I was doing last year on the blog.
Wednesday: This week’s grilled cheese is going to be a grilled chili cheese sandwich.
Thursday: I’m going to spotlight another local business, I just need to figure where I’m going this week.
Friday: We’re going to start in on the entrees menu as we continue to eat the entire menu at Panda Express Chinese Kitchen.
Saturday: We’ll be turning the saucy spotlight on another pizza post from the past.
Okay, I have to go get busy with all of this stuff! Have a funny Sunday every bunny!
Related Posts: Sunday Links: End Of The Century By The Ramones, Heart and The Beatles First Appearance On Ed Sullivan.