Speaking Volumes: Celebrating 40 years of 'Saturday Night Live'
This past October marked the 40th anniversary of the debut episode of "Saturday Night Live." The show has had its ups and downs but is still going strong today with its original producer, Lorne Michaels.
Quite groundbreaking in its day, nothing like it had ever been seen on television before. In reference to this, the original cast was dubbed "Not Ready for Primetime." The show helped launch the careers of several well-known comic talents such as Eddie Murphy, Chevy Chase and Dan Akroyd. Tina Fey and Jimmy Fallon are two more talents that have gone on to bigger and better things.
We all remember the great sketches and characters that have been created over the past 40 years, from Roseanne Roseannadanna to the Church Lady. In addition are the often brilliant impersonations of famous politicians (especially during election time), movie actors and TV personalities.
The Manatee County Public Library System has a plethora of materials regarding this innovative show.
There are DVDs highlighting various cast members, past and present, from original cast members John Belushi and Gilda Radner to other popular cast members such as Tracy Morgan and Will Farrell.
Books about the show include "Rolling Stone Visits Saturday Night Live," which includes interviews from the original cast members.
Some lesser-known cast members have penned their own books about their "SNL" experience. Stand-up comedian Jay Mohr relates his struggle (and that of others) to make it (getting screen time and making writing contributions) in "Gasping for Airtime: Two Years in the Trenches of Saturday Night Live".
Another personal narrative about "SNL" can be found in comedian and impressionist Darrell Hammond's "God, If You're Not Up There, I'm F&*%ed: Tales of Saturday Night Live."
A biography of the late Chris Farley titled, "The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts," was co-written by Farley's brother Tom and Tanner Colby. Farley and Belushi are two beloved cast members who sadly lost their battles with drugs. They both died at the age of 33.
A more general history of the show can be found in Tom Shales' "Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live." This account reveals the inner workings of the show from dealing with the higher-ups at the network to fighting with the network censors, along with the drama that went on behind-the-scenes. In addition it also covers the long list of guest hosts who have appeared on the show over the years. The overlying feeling that one gets after reading these books is the show's remarkable staying power. While there have been low points in the show's history, it still continues to entertain and yes, even make us think.
Speaking Volumes, written by Manatee County Public Library System staff members, is published each Sunday. David Breakfield is a librarian with the Information Services Department at the Central Library
This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Speaking Volumes: Celebrating 40 years of 'Saturday Night Live' ."