The Surprising Reason ‘SNL’ Was Almost Just ‘Saturday Night’!

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The original phrase, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” was actually a play on words when the show first aired. Back then, the show didn’t have its current title of “Saturday Night Live.” Instead, it was simply known as “NBC’s Saturday Night,” which was later shortened to “SN” for the opening credits. The hosts would begin the show by saying, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday and it’s live!”

Over time, the show became more popular and gained its current title of “Saturday Night Live.” However, the original phrase has been retained as a nod to the show’s humble beginnings. So while “Saturday Night” might seem like an odd choice when you consider that “Saturday Night Live” is the name of the show, it actually holds a significant place in the history of this iconic television program.

Initially unbeknownst to many casual viewers, the original title of the series was NBC’s Saturday Night, not Saturday Night Live as it is known today. This is the reason behind the unique opening phrase. Although it was live, they didn’t include the ‘live’ in the title until Season 3. The reason for this was that a different show titled Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell was already on air when NBC’s Saturday Night premiered in 1975. If you’re not familiar with this earlier show, it’s likely that you are among many others. Today, it is often considered one of the worst variety shows ever produced, and its legacy has been eclipsed by NBC’s successful show. So, what was this imitator of SNL, and why did it fail so miserably? Let’s delve into that history.

The “Original” ‘Saturday Night Live’

The television show “Saturday Night Live,” initially aired on ABC with Howard Cosell as host, debuted on September 20, 1975. Notably, this took place three weeks before NBC introduced their own version of “Saturday Night.” As an unexpected selection for a talk show host, Cosell was a sportscaster rather than a comedy performer. Based on the scant details that remain, it appears that “Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell” followed a similar format to today’s SNL, encompassing a permanent cast, celebrity appearances, characters, musical acts, and sketch comedy. The two Saturday night shows did not clash directly in their first year, as Cosell’s 8:00 pm broadcast was significantly earlier than NBC’s 11:30 pm slot.

Viewers might recall the ensemble of Cosell’s program, which included Christopher Guest, Brian Doyle-Murray, and Bill Murray, collectively known as “The Prime Time Players.” NBC’s Saturday Night team, on the other hand, became famous as “The Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time Players,” a nod to Cosell. Although NBC’s Saturday Night premiere was far from flawless, some argue that Cosell’s attempt at hosting a comedy show was even less successful. In fact, many viewers, critics, and crew members alike felt that the arrogant sportscaster had no business attempting to host a comedic program.

One ‘SNL’s Failure and Another’s Success

The brief stint of Cosell’s comedy venture into late-night television came to an end on January 17, 1976, after only 18 episodes. This show, often cited as one of the worst series or blunders in television history, turned out to be a fortunate turn of events for NBC. Just a year later, Bill Murray became part of the NBC’s Saturday Night cast midway through their second season. Today, this role is considered Murray’s breakthrough, with him frequently ranked among the top SNL cast members ever. He departed at the end of Season 5, but has since returned for several hosting and guest appearances.

As a die-hard fan here, let me share some behind-the-scenes insights about my favorite show, SNL. In the fifth season, I, Brian Doyle-Murray, joined the cast alongside my esteemed brother Bill. After a brief hiatus during the sixth season, I came back for the seventh. Fast forward to the tenth season, and the third pillar of Cosell’s team, the brilliant Christopher Guest, made his move to SNL’s Weekend Update segment, which was then known as Saturday Night News. Just like my brother Bill, SNL provided a monumental platform for Christopher Guest’s career.

Currently, Guest is most recognized for his work in mockumentary films such as “Waiting for Guffman”, “Best in Show”, and “A Mighty Wind”, to name a few. Interestingly, even Cosell, who had a second chance at hosting, graced the finale of NBC’s Saturday Night Live (SNL) in April 1985 during its 10th season. This was his sole appearance on NBC, although he was occasionally portrayed by cast member Billy Crystal, who himself was a guest on Cosell’s show. Truly a serendipitous event.

The television program hosted by Howard Cosell ended after just one season, leaving the title “Saturday Night Live” up for grabs. NBC experimented with it for a single episode during their second season before officially adopting it as the title in Season 3. However, the opening line of the show didn’t get updated to reflect this new name change. Nowadays, the majority of articles and references to the first two seasons of the show are labeled as “Saturday Night Live,” with only dedicated fans remembering its initial name.

Back in 1975, it was Howard Cosell’s show, not Saturday Night Live (SNL), that reigned supreme. However, today, SNL is synonymous with NBC, not Cosell. One might wonder if Cosell’s program could have endured, perhaps even earning the title “NBC’s Saturday Night.” While we can’t say for certain, it’s clear that NBC emerged victorious in this battle for late-night dominance. Today, you can stream SNL on Peacock and catch it live on NBC.

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2025-02-17 07:32