I was pleased to see that the documentary about music on SNL acknowledged Sinead O'Connor's performance of "War" when she tore up the picture of Pope John Paul II. I would have bet money they put that in the memory hole.
Excited to read more of your stuff in the Post. I know you’re not really part of it but the I think the sports section is underrated and one of the few places left to find quality writing on national sports that isn’t just digging into the data or spewing hot takes. Janes and Kilgore are consistently great.
Totally agreed. I know (and understand) that the Post has gotten hit pretty hard in the last few months, but I have a difficult time seeing an objective case for it not doing great work across the board.
Came across Amy's Palin Rap yesterday while binging some SNL highlights both in the spirit of the anniversary and as a coping mechanism. I had to genuinely check to see if that was Real Palin or Fey Palin. If there is a celebrity impersonation that has more perfectly nailed it to the point where the two are not easily distinguished, I'd like to know what it is. Fey is just brilliant.
Also if you haven't yet seen the SNL concert that aired live on Peacock Friday and is streaming now: Just WOW. Between catching the Real Estate show at Ottobar Friday night and binging that 3 hour gem yesterday afternoon, was the best 24 of 2025 for me so far. I was actually able to forget the pit in my gut and really smile for a bit.
I consider myself to be a Hartman through Ferrell era person. I miss those days. And I saw Wayne's World five times in the movie theater, so party on! :)
And it's time for the J. Geils Band to go into the Hall - before we lose one of the three best rock front men in history - Peter Wolf, whose long awaited book (at least by me) comes out next month...
I was a freshman in college in October 1975 when SNL debut. It was a much rawer show in those days. The Not Ready for Prime-Time Players were a key part, but the host and musical guests were where the show was focused. I discovered Steve Martin in those early years. I believed the show found it's footing in 1976 during the Presidential Election. Chevy Chase and Dan Ackroyd debating as Ford and Carter was a classic.
Wilco not in the RRHOF is an injustice!
Win Butler featured quite prominently on last night's SNL 50 Homecoming Concert. Though it was more like "didn't you guys used to be Arcade Fire?"
BTW, it's a must watch (replaying on Peacock.)
I was pleased to see that the documentary about music on SNL acknowledged Sinead O'Connor's performance of "War" when she tore up the picture of Pope John Paul II. I would have bet money they put that in the memory hole.
I actually found it a nice touch that they played that song last night too.
Great newsletter and thanks for the shoutout!!
Grierson and I talked about your piece on the podcast last night too!
Omg!! Listening now
1. Congrats on the Washington Post gig. (Even though I recently canceled my subscription there.)
2. The B-52s have never even been nominated for the Rock Hall? WTF?
It's absurd!
Excited to read more of your stuff in the Post. I know you’re not really part of it but the I think the sports section is underrated and one of the few places left to find quality writing on national sports that isn’t just digging into the data or spewing hot takes. Janes and Kilgore are consistently great.
Totally agreed. I know (and understand) that the Post has gotten hit pretty hard in the last few months, but I have a difficult time seeing an objective case for it not doing great work across the board.
Oh yea, don’t even get me started on Jeff Stein, Jacob Boggage, Jeremy Barr, Ben Terris, Catherine Rampell, Perry Bacon, etc.
Came across Amy's Palin Rap yesterday while binging some SNL highlights both in the spirit of the anniversary and as a coping mechanism. I had to genuinely check to see if that was Real Palin or Fey Palin. If there is a celebrity impersonation that has more perfectly nailed it to the point where the two are not easily distinguished, I'd like to know what it is. Fey is just brilliant.
Also if you haven't yet seen the SNL concert that aired live on Peacock Friday and is streaming now: Just WOW. Between catching the Real Estate show at Ottobar Friday night and binging that 3 hour gem yesterday afternoon, was the best 24 of 2025 for me so far. I was actually able to forget the pit in my gut and really smile for a bit.
I have been surprised by how much SNL stuff has cheered me.
I consider myself to be a Hartman through Ferrell era person. I miss those days. And I saw Wayne's World five times in the movie theater, so party on! :)
I think I saw the second one twice, even!
And it's time for the J. Geils Band to go into the Hall - before we lose one of the three best rock front men in history - Peter Wolf, whose long awaited book (at least by me) comes out next month...
I was a freshman in college in October 1975 when SNL debut. It was a much rawer show in those days. The Not Ready for Prime-Time Players were a key part, but the host and musical guests were where the show was focused. I discovered Steve Martin in those early years. I believed the show found it's footing in 1976 during the Presidential Election. Chevy Chase and Dan Ackroyd debating as Ford and Carter was a classic.
It seems that people might be even more unaware of the ramifications of what could happen now than they were in 2020. This won't end well.
Great newsletter, except for the very end.
Go Green.
That was ... an unpleasant night in Champaign.