Fresh Air Episode Summary: 'SNL' Turns 50: Aykroyd, Franken, Zweibel & Lovitz

Release Date: February 14, 2025

Introduction to SNL's 50th Anniversary

In this special episode of Fresh Air, host Terry Gross commemorates the 50th anniversary of NBC's Saturday Night Live (SNL). The celebration includes a live music concert streamed on Peacock featuring performances by Bad Bunny, David Byrne, Lady Gaga, and the Roots; a repeat of the very first SNL episode hosted by George Carlin; and a three-hour live anniversary special on NBC. Terry Gross highlights the enduring legacy of SNL, emphasizing producer Lorne Michaels' pivotal role in shaping the show over five decades.

Interview with Dan Aykroyd

Timestamp: [03:53]

Dan Aykroyd, one of SNL's original cast members, shares his deep-rooted passion for music and its influence on his comedic career. He reminisces about his early exposure to blues music, recounting playing drums with legends like Muddy Waters.

• Early Musical Influences:

  "The first records I bought were, of course, the Beatles and the Stones. The seminal record for me was the East-West record that Paul Butterfield did in the late '60s with Elvin Bishop and Michael Bloomfield." ([03:57])

• Formation of the Blues Brothers: Aykroyd describes the spontaneous creation of the Blues Brothers with John Belushi at the 505 Speakeasy in Toronto. Encouraged by Howard Shore, the musical director of SNL, they began performing, blending their love for blues with comedic flair.

  "Howard Shore was there that night and he said, yeah, you guys should start a band and you could call it the Blues Brothers." ([08:08])

• Bass-O-Matic Sketch Inspiration: Aykroyd explains the inspiration behind the iconic Bass-O-Matic sketch, drawing from his aunt's unconventional fish preparation methods.

  "I wrote the scene based upon that night and my aunt's real experience with the fish in a blender." ([12:39])

Interview with Alan Zweibel

Timestamp: [15:47]

Alan Zweibel, an original writer for SNL, discusses his collaborative process with the late Gilda Radner, one of the show's beloved cast members. Together, they crafted memorable characters like Emily Litella and Roseanne Rosanna Dana.

• Collaborative Writing Process:

  "Whenever we would write together, it was usually by virtue of me taking a legal pad and a pen and the two of us going to a restaurant." ([15:47])

• Creation of Roseanne Rosanna Dana: Zweibel details the evolution of the character from initial sketches to a staple on Weekend Update, inspired by a local newswoman and personal anecdotes.

  "We made her Roseanne Rosanna Dana, and it was my way of saying hi to my brother-in-law every week." ([16:21])

• Challenges with Network Censorship: Zweibel shares his experiences navigating censorship at NBC, highlighting sketches like "Jew, Not a Jew" which tackled sensitive topics with humor.

  "We wrote a sketch called Jew, Not a Jew... NBC, our censors, said, no, you can't do this." ([25:03])

Interview with Al Franken

Timestamp: [22:38]

Al Franken, a former SNL writer and US Senator, reflects on his tenure at the show and his transition into politics. Discussing his approach to dealing with network censors, Franken emphasizes the importance of making strong, reasoned arguments for his material.

• Navigating Censorship:

  "You make a strong case about why it's really not in bad taste. Explain what the joke is." ([23:05])

• "Jew, Not a Jew" Sketch: Franken elaborates on the controversial sketch that eventually aired with Tom Hanks playing the host, addressing the balance between humor and sensitivity.

  "It's not intended to be anti-Semitic. I'm Jewish. I wrote it." ([26:56])

• Impact of Censorship on Creative Expression: He discusses the broader implications of censorship on comedy and creative freedom within SNL.

  "There's a prejudice against comedy, which is if you do comedy, therefore it isn't serious." ([25:03])

Interview with Jon Lovitz

Timestamp: [38:33]

Jon Lovitz, a prominent SNL cast member from 1984 to 1990, delves into the creation of some of his most memorable characters, including Tommy Flanagan and Master Thespian.

• Creation of Master Thespian: Lovitz recounts how his Shakespeare professor's influence inspired the character's pretentious demeanor.

  "He'd say, 'Oh, for a music that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention.' And I thought it was very funny." ([38:33])

• Influence of Family on Humor: He shares personal stories about his father's playful antics, such as pretending to have a twin brother, which shaped his comedic style.

  "He used to goof off, and he used to make prank phone calls... He didn't act like that, but that's where I got the look from." ([41:30])

• Legacy of Characters: Lovitz highlights the enduring popularity of his sketches, like Harry Hanukkah, co-created with Al Franken and Mike Myers.

  "Harry Hanukkah was really funny... based on this actor, Ned Glass." ([39:19])

Film Review by Justin Chang

Justin Chang, a film critic for The New Yorker, reviews the belated release of Charles Burnett's 1999 romantic comedy "The Annihilation of Fish." Originally premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 1999, the film stars James Earl Jones, Lynn Redgrave, and Margot Kidder.

• Plot Overview: The story follows Fish (Jones), a Jamaican American recently released from a mental institution, and Poinsettia (Redgrave), a woman with an active fantasy life. Their unexpected friendship blossoms into romance as they navigate personal challenges and eccentricities.

• Character Dynamics: Chang praises the chemistry between the actors and Burnett's portrayal of aging and interracial romance without resorting to over-the-top quirkiness.

  "Their bond turns romantic... the chemistry between the actors themselves makes Fish and Poinsettia seem like an ideal match." ([46:28])

• Directorial Approach: Burnett's direction avoids forced humor, allowing characters' oddities to enhance rather than detract from the narrative.

  "Burnett has no use for strained quirkiness... he finds the loopy logic even in their most illogical behavior." ([47:56])

• Overall Impression: Chang commends the film for its heartfelt exploration of friendship and love, celebrating imperfect individuals finding fulfillment in each other's company.

  "It's a simple yet beguiling film about how two imperfect people can find a kind of perfection in each other's company." ([48:00])

Conclusion

This episode of Fresh Air offers an insightful tribute to Saturday Night Live, featuring in-depth interviews with key figures who contributed to the show's enduring success. From the musical roots of Dan Aykroyd and the creative collaborations of Alan Zweibel, to Al Franken's navigation of censorship and Jon Lovitz's character development, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of SNL's cultural impact. Additionally, Justin Chang's film review provides a reflective look at Charles Burnett's underappreciated work, tying together themes of creativity, resilience, and the power of collaboration.

Notable Quotes

• Dan Aykroyd on Blues Influence:

  "I jammed behind Muddy Waters... this was part of my early exposure." ([05:20])

• Alan Zweibel on Roseanne Rosanna Dana:

  "We made him the letter writer and basically we lapsed into a formula..." ([19:30])

• Al Franken on Censorship:

  "People think we really don't like the censors, that they're our enemies." ([24:48])

• Jon Lovitz on Master Thespian Inspiration:

  "As if he knew everything... he's just always, hello, how are you?" ([40:34])

This summary captures the essence of the 'SNL' Turns 50 episode of Fresh Air, highlighting the rich discussions and personal anecdotes shared by the interviewees, while providing a structured overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.