The Not Ready for Prime Time Project: An SNL Retrospective

In the summer of 1979, Bill Murray went full “gonzo” in his portrayal of Hunter S. Thompson in the feature film Where the Buffalo Roam. The film slaps together various events from Thompson’s past with his attorney and friend, Carl Lazlo (Peter Boyle), that include a 1968 San Francisco drug possession trial, the Super Bowl, and the 1972 presidential campaign. And, while there are no direct references to his most famous adventure, there are plenty of nods to a certain savage journey to the heart of the American dream.Grounded more in “reality” than future Thompson-inspired films, the movie has moments of pure delight. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of unexplained storylines and tangents that leave the viewer wondering what is going on. Murray, for his part, is fully committed to the role. So much so that he famously had trouble dropping it upon his return to Saturday Night Live for the start of its fifth season.We try to make sense of the story and the choices, and do our best to figure out just who is to blame for this mess.Buy the ticket, take the ride.---------------------------------Subscribe & Follow today!And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptprojectBluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.socialFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: [email protected]

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!---------------------------------Subscribe & Follow today!And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptprojectBluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.socialFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: [email protected]

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.---------------------------------Subscribe & Follow today!And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptprojectBluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.socialFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: [email protected]

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!---------------------------------Subscribe & Follow today!And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptprojectBluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.socialFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: [email protected]

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!---------------------------------Subscribe & Follow today!And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptprojectBluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.socialFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: [email protected]

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.---------------------------------Subscribe & Follow today!And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptprojectBluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.socialFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: [email protected]

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!---------------------------------Subscribe & Follow today!And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptprojectBluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.socialFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: [email protected]

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---------------------------------Subscribe & Follow today!And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptprojectBluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.socialFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: [email protected]

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...."---------------------------------Subscribe & Follow today!And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptprojectBluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.socialFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: [email protected]

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!---------------------------------Subscribe & Follow today!And follow us on social media: Twitter: @NR4PTProject Instagram: @nr4ptprojectBluesky: @nr4ptproject.bsky.socialFacebook: The Not Ready for Prime Time ProjectContact Us: Website: https://www.nr4project.comEmail: [email protected]