It launched the careers of Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase and John Belushi, and acted as a showcase for guest hosts as diverse as Richard Pryor and Paul Simon. More of an American institution than the White House itself (and seemingly knowing it: Chevy Chase’s gags at the expense of then-President Gerald Ford are relentless), Saturday Night Live was, and remains, a masterclass at all things lighthearted and variety. Not that lighthearted means throwaway, of course. While some sketches have dated, Pryor’s turn as guest host loses little of the edge he had away from the TV censors, while Albert Brooks’ films and Andy Kaufman’s stage turns are as arresting as they must have been when first aired.
SNL wasn’t all comedy, though. These 24 episodes house some stunning live performances, the best of which come from soul artists (perhaps pointing the way towards Ackroyd’s and Belushi’s later Blues Brothers creation). Billy Preston’s incredible turn on an ecstatic Nothing From Nothing shines. The Paul Simon-hosted episode is essentially built around him and features a brief reunion with Art Garfunkel, while there’s also Abba, Kris Kristofferson, Bill Withers and Gil Scott-Heron. Something for everybody, then – and lots of it.
