Original SNL cast debut with Tom Snyder, 1975

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Holy SNL! The ‘Not Ready for Prime Time Players’ make their television debut on ‘The Tomorrow Show,’ October 04, 1975

The endlessly interesting Mark Evanier at News From ME posted this video and it’s just too fascinating not to re-post it for you here.

Hit the short clip below for the television debut of Saturday Night Live‘s “Not Ready for Prime Time Players.” The cast, along with producer Lorne Michaels, chat with Tom Snyder on The Tomorrow Show on October 4th, 1975. The week before their show premiered and became a break-out hit.

America did not yet know these faces. That would all change the following week.
Chevy Chase, Dan Ackroyd, Jane Curtin, ‘The Tomorrow Show,’ Oct. ’75

The Tomorrow Show ran a special Saturday evening edition on October 4th with the single guest of Jerry Lewis to fill the time slot. SNL was originally set to air that evening but wasn’t ready. Tom Snyder brought the cast on at the end of his show and introduced them to America. Chevy Chase, Dan Ackroyd, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Gilda Radner, Laraine Newman and (a surprisingly quiet) John Belushi appeared.

The references you’ll hear to Howard Cosell’s show are due to the fact that he currently had his own series entitled Saturday Night Live running on ABC. During SNL’s first season the show was known as NBC’s Saturday Night.Watch it.

Saturday Night Live Season One Wiki

Trailer Tuesday: Saturday Night Fever

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“Hey…don’t touch the hair!”
John Travolta, Saturday Night Fever, 1977

It had to happen one of theses days. I had to feature the quintessential 70s disco flick here at Bionic Disco. Here today, we have the trailer for Saturday Night Fever.

Saturday Night Fever was released in December of 1977. The hugely successful film (a hit with critics and film-goers) was directed by John Badham and and stars John Travolta as the young and troubled Brooklyn stepper, Tony Manero. The film was based on a 1976 New York magazine article (which later turned out to be a fabrication, not based on real life) and launched Travolta’s star into the stratosphere.

The soundtrack for the film, largely featuring the music of the Bee Gees, sold over 15 million copies. The trailer below includes a sales clip for the L.P. at the end. If you haven’t seen Saturday Night Fever in a while you may have forgotten how dark and angst-ridden it is. It’s time for another viewing!

My personal anecdote: I’m 11. My sister, three years older than me at age 14, persuades my grandmother to take us to see Saturday Night Fever in late ’77 or early ’78. After becoming confused by the teenagers conversing onscreen I lean over and ask, “Grandma, what’s a blowjob?”

My sister cracks up laughing and my Grandma lithely side-steps and says something to the effect of, “Discuss that with your parents.”

Saturday Night Fever Wiki, IMDb
Saturday Night Fever review at Every70sMovie

Previously, on Trailer Tuesday: The Man with the Golden Gun

Music for Monday: Siouxsie and the Banshees, ‘Playground Twist’

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“Get down on your knees”
Siouxsie and the Banshees, “Playground Twist,” Summer, 1979

“Hanging from your daisy chain, swinging in your trees…”

The only single released from Siouxsie and the Banshees‘ second L.P., Join Hands, “Playground Twist” was released in July of 1979.

This slightly sinister, gorgeous and swirling tune made it to #28 on the UK charts. Have a delightful October Monday.

Previously, on Music for Monday: The Brothers Johnson, ‘I’ll Be Good to You’

Brady Bunch Moments: ‘Trick-Shot’ Bobby

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Bobby Brady (Mike Lookinland) is “Fancypants Pool Champ of the Universe”
The Brady Bunch, 1974

In today’s excruciatingly wonderful Brady Bunch Moment, Bobby Brady shows off his amazing trick-shot pool techniques before a command performance crowd bedecked in gowns and tuxedos.

This incredible moment was pulled from the season five episode of The Brady Bunch entitled, “The Hustler.” The episode was the show’s second-to-last ever and originally aired March 1, 1974. Cousin Oliver (Robbie Rist) makes a welcome, but brief, appearance in the clip.

Previously, on Brady Bunch Moments: Dunking Alice

Mood Music: Bryan Ferry, ‘Let’s Stick Together’

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C’mon, c’mon, ‘Let’s Stick Together’
Bryan Ferry, September, 1976

Mood Music time! Get on the dance floor and step lively to Bryan Ferry and his 1976 UK top five hit, “Let’s Stick Together.”

This sounds so timeless. It’s hard to believe it was released 36 years ago.

Previously, on Mood Music: The Jackson 5, ‘I Want You Back’ (Live ’71)

Funshine Friday: The Pink Panther, ‘Pink-In’

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Pink teeth? No, sir.
The Pink Panther, ‘Pink-In,’ 1971

Children of all ages! Pull up a bean bag chair, grab a bowl of Lucky Charms, switch on the TV and enjoy this full-length Pink Panther cartoon.

Today’s episode is entitled “Pink-In” and it first hit (theater) screens in October, 1971. Pink joins the service and heads off to Vietnam. Well, almost. Happy Funshine Friday!

Pink Panther cartoons Wiki, IMDb

Previously, on Funshine Friday: The New Adventures of Batman