They just announced the Complete First Season will be released December 5 for $69.98 (that close to Christmas, most places'll probably have it for fifty bucks). I've wanted them to do this for a long time now, and it's actually not nearly as expensive as I thought it would be. Allegedly, this is going to be fully uncut episodes - including the musical guests and the weird Muppet performances that I've only read about.
The press release:
Nicknamed the "Not Ready for Primetime Players," the original cast of Saturday Night Live ignited a comedy revolution with their mix of irreverent characters and satirical impressions of political figures and pop culture icons.
From the premiere of this groundbreaking sketch comedy show on October 11, 1975, live from historical Studio 8H in New York City's Rockefeller Center, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Jane Curtain, Chevy Chase, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Gilda Radner launched themselves into instant stardom and were often referred to as "The Beatles of Comedy."
Created by Lorne Michaels over three decades ago, few other shows have had the cultural impact and relevance of Saturday Night Live.
Nowhere else can you see the complete first season of SNL, featuring hosts George Carlin, Rob Reiner, Lily Tomlin, Richard Pryor, Elliott Gould, Candace Bergen, or original musical performances by Simon & Garfunkle, ABBA, Patti Smith, Jimmy Cliff, and Carly Simon. And if you're curious as to how the original cast was hired, check out the DVD bonus features that include the screen tests of each performer.
I've also got to wonder how long they'll keep doing this. I'm sure if it sells we'll get the entire 1970s run, but I can't imagine them actually releasing those dead seasons when Dick Ebersol ran the show. (Well, maybe the Eddie Murphy/Billy Crystal year.) I also wonder how long they're going to go between sets - I'll surely buy these classic ones but I'd love to pick up the late 80s/early 90s shows with Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman. That's my golden era.
EDIT: I'll get that date right eventually.
(edited by OlFuzzyBastard on 13.10.06 1324) "That's my problem - I'm too frank. That's why my mother shoved me down the stairs. But then she is fat."
This is super exciting news. I have been collecting these in dribs and drabs whenever they've aired as "Classic" SNLs late night Saturdays, but would happily pay for the opportunity to have them all in a season set. The Al Jarreau performances alone are worth a million billion dollars, and I know someone who will be VERY happy to have the complete Peter Cook/Dudley Moore episode on DVD.
"those dead seasons when Dick Ebersol ran the show"? Didn't he run the show the season they had Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Harry Shearer, and Chris Guest? That was one of my favorite seasons. Either way, this is good news.
Dean! Have you been shooting dope into your scrotum? You can tell me! I'm hip!
I don't remember what season but when they get to it are they gonna include that bit that has been banned from ever reappearing again? It was that cartoon linking GE to NBC and other inside stuff?
EDIT: Thanks to YouTube, this is what I was talking about.
Originally posted by XPacArmyI don't remember what season but when they get to it are they gonna include that bit that has been banned from ever reappearing again? It was that cartoon linking GE to NBC and other inside stuff?
EDIT: Thanks to YouTube, this is what I was talking about.
(edited by XPacArmy on 16.10.06 1258)
Dunno - ask this again in 25 years.
(I hope some day we'll get the original "Dr. Porkenheimer's Boner Juice" ad because the world deserves Rob Riggle's incredible fake erection (snltranscripts.jt.org))
Meanwhile, the RAZZIES (razzies.com) were handed out Saturday night. As you might have guessed from seeing the nominee list, it was pretty much (almost) a sweep... WORST PICTURE: Kirk Cameron's Saving Christmas Other nominees: