EP813 The Best & Worst Musical Guests Appearances on Saturday Night Live!

Before YouTube…even before MTV there were very few places to see your favorite artists perform. However, there was once show that you could count on to bring you the latest musical acts in all their (sometimes) ragged glory and that was NBC’s Saturday Night LIVE. On this week’s Podcast we will discuss some of the best and some of the worst musical performances from the shows 40+ years

 

Topics covered:

 

What we did this week:

 

Lily:

Pittsburgh Kevin: Dee Dee King, Kirk Hammett, 

Loudini: hot takes, venom 2 &3, youtube list

 

*Saturday Night Live* (SNL) is a long-running American sketch comedy and variety show that debuted on NBC on October 11, 1975. Created by Lorne Michaels, the show quickly became a groundbreaking platform for satire, political commentary, and improvisational comedy. Known for its iconic cold opens, "Weekend Update" segment, and rotating cast of guest hosts and musical acts, *SNL* has been a launchpad for many prominent comedians and actors, including Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and Will Ferrell.

 

The original cast, known as the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players," included Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, and Jane Curtin. Their skits and characters became cultural touchstones, establishing *SNL*’s reputation for irreverent humor and social commentary. Over the decades, *SNL* has continued to push boundaries, often addressing topical issues and politics, especially through impersonations of public figures like U.S. presidents.

 

As of today, *SNL* remains one of the most influential shows in television history, celebrated for its impact on comedy, politics, and pop culture. With over 40 seasons, it has won numerous Emmy Awards and influenced generations of comedians and writers. Its continued appeal lies in its ability to adapt to the times, often capturing the essence of contemporary issues and personalities through a humorous lens.

### Best Rock Musical Guests on SNL

1. **The Rolling Stones (1978)**  

   * Songs: “Beast of Burden,” “Respectable,” “Shattered”  

   * Host: Steve Martin  

   * The Stones performed tracks from *Some Girls* with legendary moments like Mick Jagger’s interaction with Ron Wood. 

 

2. **Nirvana (1992)**  

   * Songs: “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Territorial Pissings”  

   * Host: Rob Morrow  

   * Known for their intense energy, they ended by smashing their instruments. 

 

3. **Elvis Costello (1977)**  

   * Songs: “Less Than Zero” (abruptly switched to “Radio Radio”)  

   * Host: Miskel Spillman  

   * Costello’s last-minute song switch was a defiant act that got him temporarily banned. 

 

4. **Paul McCartney with Nirvana (2012)**  

   * Song: “Cut Me Some Slack”  

   * Host: Martin Short  

   * McCartney’s memorable collaboration with surviving Nirvana members marked a rock reunion. 

 

5. **Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (1994)**  

   * Song: “You Don’t Know How It Feels”  

   * Host: Martin Lawrence  

   * Petty’s first performance after Kurt Cobain’s passing, with Dave Grohl on drums. 

 

6. **Neil Young (1989)**  

   * Song: “Rockin’ in the Free World”  

   * Host: Candice Bergen  

   * Young delivered a grungy, no-frills performance highlighting social issues. 

 

7. **Radiohead (2000)**  

   * Song: “The National Anthem”  

   * Host: Kate Hudson  

   * Radiohead performed with a full horn section, delivering a powerful, surreal vibe. 

 

8. **Pearl Jam (1992)**