I’ve been a fan of Saturday Night Live since the first episodes aired in the fall of 1975. NBC has recently released the first season on DVD and I can’t wait to get my hands on them. Last year the local NBC affiliate in Albuquerque started airing the early episodes on Sunday in the wee-morning hours. I watched them and the memories surround me with a Baskerville-like thickness. The original “Not Ready For Primetime Players” had reentered my life like long lost friends. Who can forget Chase’s prat-falls; Belushi’s Beethoven-Ray Charles skits; Curtain’s “Joan Face” interviewing Akroyd’s “Irwin Mainway;” Murray’s lovable, lounge singer, Nick Winters; Newman’s “Rosalyn Carter;” Radner’s “Roseanne Roseannadanna;” Morris’ convict singing “I’m gonna grab me a shotgun and kill all the whities I see”…and the others, Don Pardo, Father Guido Sarducci, Paul Schafer, Al Frankin, Henson’s Muppets and Mr. Bill! I miss those Saturday nights hanging out with friends and watching SNL–a ritual in those days. 1975-1979 was truly SNL’s golden age! Although I still enjoy the show after three decades, it will never occupy the space in my heart that it did in those early years. Thanks guys!
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