Discuss: Saturday Night Live

 

Doug: Last night NBC aired a celebration of 40 years of Saturday Night Live. I didn't get to watch it, as we were getting our oldest from Midway Airport, where he was actually returning to Illinois from some time out in Karen's neck of the woods. He'd been in the Phoenix area with his university's softball team, handling all of the media needs and broadcasting their games in a weekend tournament. Anyway, today let's hear about your memories of favorite sketches, talent line-ups, hosts, musical guests, etc. The program has become an American institution, so it's certainly worthy of a discussion today.

 

 

Who's the Best... Physical Comedian?

 

Four Fried Chickens and A Coke

Karen: Last week we talked about a film by John Landis called An American Werewolf in London. This week, I'd like to offer up another one of Mr. Landis' works. You might have heard of it: The Blues Brothers.

This is a movie that grew on me. When I first saw it in the theater, I thought it was just OK. But with repeated viewings, somehow, I came to enjoy it more and more. The utter absurdity of it all first put me off, but once I embraced it, I loved it. And of course, there is the music: James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and great sidemen like Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn. Lots of memorable scenes and lines: "How much for the little girl?" "I hate Illinois Nazis." "Are you the police?" "No Ma'am, we're musicians." And of course, "We're on a mission from God."

I still think it is overlong and excessive (car crashes anyone?), but I'll stop and watch it any time. Oh, and I have the DVD too, which has gotten some play.

Discuss: Animal House

In Appreciation of : John Belushi

Karen: John Belushi meant a lot to me and my friends when we were teenagers. He was the rebel, the weirdo, the wild man, the misfit who rose to the top. He was far from what people considered a Hollywood star in looks but was successful despite (maybe even because of) that. He was inspiring to many of us out there who didn't necessarily fit in. Above all, he was a gifted comedian. We might remember him best for his physical slapstick, the way he could throw his pudgy body around, or raise his eyebrows; but he also had expert timing and could deliver a line like nobody's business.

Karen: But it feels like he is being slowly forgotten. In his heyday, he was one of the brightest stars to come out of the original Saturday Night Live. He went on to tremendous success in Animal House and The Blues Brothers (less so with 1941, Neighbors and a few other film appearances). But Belushi left this world at the young age of 33 -33! - back in 1982. His portfolio is thus rather slim.

Karen: I can easily recall the moment when I heard he had died. I felt stunned. His death was the first time I lost a performer that I had a strong interest in. I phoned friends. We were all in disbelief. How could this unstoppable maniac be dead? But, as is so often the case, Belushi was on a path of self-destruction. It's incredibly sad, especially as I look back now, nearly 30 years later, realizing how young he was and how much more he could have done.

Karen: But as long as we have recording devices, his work will live on. Some of his funniest stuff was during his days on SNL. The "cheeburga" and Samurai sketches instantly come to mind. He also made some great faux commercials.

Karen: Or how about his turn as Joe Cocker?

Karen: I'd love to show some clips from Animal House and Blues Brothers, but we're trying to keep this site PG rated! But if you haven't seen these films in a few years, throw them in the player and sit back and marvel at just how hysterical Belushi was. I miss John Belushi.