Comedy proving grounds | 60 Minutes Full Episodes
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In 1975, producer Lorne Michaels created Saturday Night Live (SNL), beginning each week with "Live from New York." SNL has survived and served as a breeding ground for generations of comedians.
60 Minutes visited during a week featuring musical guest Ashley Simpson's famous flub, where she walked off during her live performance due to a lip-syncing miscue. SNL is the only live entertainment show on network television, 90 minutes of "flying without a net."
Will Forte played a green monster in a sketch, then had three minutes to change into the President of the United States.
Lorne Michaels' rule: No ad libs; everything written on Q cards and rehearsed, creating a feel of ad lib with raggedness from blank page to air in six days.
Process starts Monday afternoon in Michaels' office: writers, performers meet guest host Jude Law (first time). Staff pitches sketches:
- Professor at esteemed British university.
- Half brothers.
Writers and cast work at computers through Tuesday and Wednesday without sleep. Michaels meets individuals for help.
SNL debuted in 1975 with unknowns like John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin ("Jane, you ignorant slut").
"We are two wild and crazy guys."
They were an expression of rebellious times, questioning authority.
Early sketches included racial slurs like "spear chucker, whack trash, jungle bunny, honky hunger." They hoped it connected, pushing boundaries.
News for the Heart of Hearing in the 70s was silly, not mean-spirited, but couldn't be done today due to disability sensitivity.
Current example: Finesse Mitchell on women naming babies (Laquay Quays, Calamaris).
Humor and cast evolve: Bill Murray, Gilda Radner ("What is that bewitching scent? Vick's VapoRub"), Chris Farley, to current cast respecting SNL as a temple.
Wednesday afternoon, writers present 47 sketches (36 more than needed) in the writers' room. Everyone watches Jude Law for reactions. Then Michaels and Jude cut to 11 on the board.
"I quite enjoyed that one because it was just so complete. For me, it was being totally ridiculous."
Lots of politics; every president since Nixon satirized ("Stay the course," "A thousand points of light," "I am bulletproof").
Michaels registered independent, show not partisan, no pressure from administrations.
Some former cast members call atmosphere cutthroat, Michaels distant, aloof; inspired Dr. Evil in Austin Powers (denied literally).
Also called kind, generous, loyal, cute.
Drugs rile Michaels: John Belushi overdosed after leaving; denies giving him drugs or fueling cocaine habit. Sent Chris Farley to rehab in early 90s; Farley died at 33 two years post-SNL. At 59, father of three, projects cleaner image.
Thursday-Friday: costumes made, sets built. Friday night loose. Saturday dress rehearsal 3 hours before air, in front of live audience. Michaels fine-tunes from alcove.
Ashley Simpson rehearses, rushes out in tears over voice; decided not to sing live at dress to save for show.
Show cut by 30 minutes an hour before air. Writers/performers check board; devastating if sketches cut.
Showtime: "Ladies and gentlemen, Jude Law."
Simpson lip-synced second song due to hoarse voice; wrong song played, she did awkward dance, walked off. Stunned everyone; Michaels unaware of lip-sync plan.
"Has any performer ever walked off like that? Um, no." "No one said 'Can we lip-sync?' Oh, absolutely not."
Only lip-sync during dance breaks, recent phenomenon.
"Life goes on... there's always next week."
"What can I say? Live TV. I feel so bad, my band started playing the wrong song."
Funny show obscured: politics, poking powerful.
"When the show is bright and funny, it's a great feeling... a force for good." "Comedy is very powerful... comes from openness and freedom... expression of our freedom... make fun of the president and get paid for it."
Two comics opened English-language improv in Amsterdam early 90s. Boom Chicago exported stars: Seth Meyers, Jordan Peele, Amber Ruffin, Jason Sudeikis.
Dutch not generous laughers: laugh briefly then quiet.
Seth Meyers and Peter Grosz (Emmy-winning writer) developed chops there; Dutch honesty withering but not malicious.
Pep Rosenfeld, Andrew Moscow, recent Northwestern grads, struggling in Chicago scene. At 23, moved for sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll. With Ken Schechtman, started English-speaking club ("best stoner idea").
Saskia Maas (Andrew's wife) as straight woman/businesswoman.
Tourist board said won't work; they proceeded. Named Boom Chicago after hometown. Started in bar back, then theater on Leidseplein.
Recruited Northwestern grads Seth Meyers, Peter Grosz.
Sold tickets cash-in-boots (cowboy boots); money safekeeping priority.
Word spread: Josh Meyers (Seth's brother), Ike Barinholtz (25 years ago; now Emmy-nominated in The Studio).
Lessons: Avoid cheap jokes (Cleveland Browns, Olive Garden, keying a car). Be bigger, universal references. Throw in Dutch words to impress.
Brendan Hunt (late 90s) heard of Boom mythically in Chicago improv.
Comedians commit 1 year minimum, full-time pay, 6 shows/week.
Stacy Smith (current troop, Comedy Academy head): Discuss at intermission like halftime.
Improv builds teamwork; good improvisers have stand-up tools.
Seth Meyers' 2000 touring show led to SNL writing job.
Brendan Hunt, Jason Sudeikis, Joe Kelly developed Ted Lasso from Boom soccer obsession; wouldn't happen without it. Rule: Make fun of ourselves first.
Corporate events major revenue (millions annually).
June alumni reunion: Perform, roast (e.g., Jeff Bezos, space).
"Sex with me is like a can opener. You're better off with the electric version."
Carry something from Boom; don't put in suitcase.
142 years old at illustrious Ivy League. Publishes parody, pranks, mayhem. Relevant wellspring of American comedy.
Changed: Three of last five presidents women. True to roots: Pokes powerful, including Oval Office occupant (recent prank victim).
While classmates aspire to Supreme Court, hedge funds, curing cancer, Lampoon offers vocational training for comedy careers as
A winter night in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Line of undergraduates forms outside the castle at 44 Bow Street, headquarters of the Harvard Lampoon. Part comedy magazine, part secret society. Students want in, akin to rushing a fraternity. Pledges called compers for competencies to demonstrate before landing spot on magazine staff and scoring keys to the castle.
Come on, compers. Line up.
First test: make upperclassman judges laugh.
Make room for the cameraman, please.
Cameras invited into castle library to watch upperclassmen put compers on the spot. Lampoon staffers poke fun using fake microphone for spoof TV news interviews.
Action.
So, in the fourth grade,
30 minutes. I had a bottle of whipped cream with me.
Wait, 30 minutes or 60 minutes?
Real criteria: applicants must be funny on paper. Submit six pieces of humor writing critiqued by Lampoon members, including current president Lyanna Spiro.
It's a whole semester of writing comedy and then having other people earnestly read it and spend a lot of time telling you what they think about it. I believe in it strongly. I think people are funnier by the end.
Only funniest survive. Out of about 100 pledges last semester, six compers made the cut. Semester before, only three.
Initiated see name on masthead of Harvard Lampoon, eclectic periodical with original illustrations and niche advertising. Recent issue themed "just friends" includes dialogue on chance encounters, comic about phone etiquette, ode to TV meteorologists. Published five times a year, circulation barely beyond Harvard's gates.
There's a sense here that we are writing the magazine for ourselves and that no one is reading it. And that I think actually is one of the most beautiful things about the Lampoon that we feel like no one is watching and we can just dance however we want.
You're doing this for yourself, not the kid across the hall or the kid at the dining hall.
Yeah. We could print five copies of the magazine and it would still be worthwhile and everyone would still be here just as much trying to be just as funny.
Officially members major in everything from math to poetry, but Lampoon is real area of concentration. Alice J, philosophy student and former Lampoon president:
What percent of your time here at Harvard is devoted to Lampoon versus regular school work? 99% Lampoon and then 1% sleep and then 0% regular school work.
I'm sure your parents are pleased to hear that.
Yeah. They've already given up. I have a younger sister who will be doing all the right things while I do this.
Most aspire to comedy careers; Lampoon serves as first writer's room. Irony sharpens irony.
Rich history of special edition parodies. Parody of Cosmo with Henry Kissinger centerfold endures as classic. Latest: absurdist parody of Harvard's daily student newspaper The Crimson.
Pranks as much part of tradition as writing. Staff fanned out across campus to swap parody issue with real Crimson.
For decades, Crimson butt of Lampoon high jinks. Lyanna Spiro's crowning achievement: when Mark Zuckerberg returned for commencement, hacked Crimson's website with hundreds of fake headlines about "Mink Zleon" in silliest tone.
They were fairly upset. My roommate is on the Crimson. This was the only time she was really upset at me. She had worked weeks on 10,000-word piece about Harvard administration corner. I worked two hours on headlines about Mink Zleon. But I'm super pro pranking them all the time.
Tom Wadik, senior, set new standard. Summer 2015, Donald Trump announced presidential run. Wadik recruited conspirators to break into Crimson headquarters, steal president's chair. Pretended to represent Crimson, offered Trump student newspaper endorsement and photo in chair.
They say, "This seems like something that Mr. Trump would be very interested in."
Wadik and crew raced to Manhattan, lugged 150-200 lb chair to Trump Tower 25th floor.
He's very nice. He had his hair fixed. They had hairspray and combed it over. He said, "People don't think my hair is real, but you can all testify this is very real."
Everyone do the thumbs up.
Days later, call from Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen:
You know, I'm going to come up to Harvard. You're all going to get expelled. If this photo gets out, you'll be out of that school faster than you know it. I can be up there tomorrow.
It was terrifying. He asked me to send my Harvard ID so he could have my identity. I sent it right away. I was afraid if I didn't, he might actually fly up here.
Trump campaign never followed up. Crimson published story with photo. Wadik gained Lampoon immortality.
Alumni include William Randolph Hearst, George Plimpton, John Updike. Modern: Conan O'Brien, Colin Jost (Weekend Update co-anchor SNL). David Mandel (class of '92) wrote for SNL, Seinfeld; showrunner HBO's Veep (Emmy winner outstanding comedy series 3 years running).
What made you want to join the Lampoon?
The building. You see a lot of other organizations. There's this one place that happens to have a castle and it definitely hits you.
Castle built 1909, mock Flemish style. Great Hall site of legendary parties. Off-limits to non-members except library.
Jim Downey (class of '74), responsible for Kissinger centerfold, unofficial godfather.
We thought it was the funniest thing on earth to pointlessly put the word frankly into any answer. What bus goes up 10th Avenue? Frankly, the M11. What planet has the most eccentric orbit? Frankly, Mercury.
Made career mining humor from mundane. Wrote enduring political satire for SNL: "strategery".
Most memorable: January 1974, Lampoon invited John Wayne to campus. Wayne rode through town on tank borrowed from military installation. Party that night, Wayne danced on table.
Opened employment pipeline, hiring Lampoon alumni for Curb Your Enthusiasm, Silicon Valley.
Al Jean (class of '81) runs The Simpsons (longest running comedy TV history). Half writing staff former Lampoon. Subversive references to alma mater in episodes.
I bet I'll get a little respect once I get that Harvard diploma.
I read scripts to hire people. I'll go, "Oh, that's great." Then look at background: "Oh no, Lampoon. I didn't want to hire another one."
Why?
Because I want the show to be much more diverse.
You're not actively seeking out Lampoon alumni?
Very actively.
Lampoon pipeline to TV called mafia favoring alumni to exclusion of diverse voices.
When alumni come back, they're almost all men. They feel like clones: white men of varying ages into comedy. None look like me.
What do we do about that?
Saying to the world we've noticed we're not diverse, aren't happy, want to change, could do a lot.
David Mandel's advice:
Make me laugh. That's all I care about. Is it funny? And hoping undergrads don't burn the place down.
You're carrying the torch. Your job is not to burn down this place. Can you handle that?
The fire alarm has gone off four times in the last year, so that would indicate perhaps no. But the Lampoon is still standing.
Satire is something that closes on Saturday night, but not for Jon Stewart, success poking fun at politics, media, national security excesses. Satirical 2000 election coverage earned Peabody Award. Staff picked up Emmy for writing. Daily Show on Comedy Central competes with 11:00 news. Sharp, edgy humor stealing audience.
From Comedy Central's World News headquarters:
The most important television program ever. Television news's evil demented twin so full of itself it almost looks real.
Entertainment show disguised as news.
Bill Clinton's new Manhattan office to cost taxpayers millions. One more reason why I am not a taxpayer.
Deconstruct day's events, personalities, TV news conventions like sweeps week hype.
You can't see it, you can't touch it, but it affects millions of American children. It's gravity and it's reached epidemic proportions.
There's real frustration with aggregate assaultive effect of television news. Watch TV news, think deep economic depression, rampant crime wave, children not safe from bathroom bacteria. Don't have to go far to satirize it.
Jon Stewart (born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz, 38, raised near Trenton, NJ; William and Mary). Studied chemistry two years, switched to psychology.
Apparently there's right and wrong answer in chemistry. In psychology you can say whatever as long as five pages.
Bartender, then to NYC comedy clubs. Waited tables. Changed name: Leibowitz sounded too Hollywood.
Did you think of quitting?
Quitting? I wasn't even in it. First four years, stopping every day.
Big break?
Deciding this was my life. No matter what, get as good as I can.
Oversees correspondents, producers, writers like real news. Monitors CNN.
We're completely fake. If somebody has CNN on and goes, "Guys, get in here. You're not going to believe this."
We keep TV pride tuned, mostly CNN. For fair reporting, Fox: they report, we decide.
We have no credibility issue because we have absolutely no credibility.
Covers Clinton pardon investigation standing in studio corner with Capitol backdrop.
Bombshell. Presidential pardon of Mr. Rich granted in part because money donated to Clintons by Mrs. Rich.
That happens all the time in Washington. That's how it runs.
At political conventions, fake news covering fake news event.
Did you go to the conventions?
No. Rightfully so, promotional ad for the party. We as fake news should have been only ones there, but 15,000 of you walking around.
Interview Senator Lieberman:
Have you had a chance to go to Disney World? Universal Studios?
No, missed those fundraisers.
Chance to lie to Congress?
On public schools:
Great need to revolutionize so they help families raising children. For preschool, after school, computers.
By end, everyone knew them, played along.
Why'd you come? Food. Wear makeup. William Bennett asked for my autograph for his kid.
Correspondents: Vance Degenerous (TV sitcoms), Steven Colbert (Second City TV), Mo Rocca (PBS children's news), Steven Carell, Nancy Walls (SNL, married).
If show's funny through and through, I win.
Polishes jokes with creator Maddie Smith, writers. Screens every piece.
Political satire made him household name to under-30s, many get news from late-night comedians. Politicians recognize.
John McCain let Steve Carell on Straight Talk Express.
Favorite book? For Whom the Bell Tolls. How reconcile pork barrel critic yet record appropriations as commerce committee chairman? I'm kidding.
Politicians come on. They watch it. Acknowledgment their world full of hot air.
Sought-after college speaker. At Northwestern, five figures for Jewish culture talk.
Never understood why Jews and blacks don't get along. Expressed sufferings differently: blacks blues, Jews complained. Never thought of putting to music.
Sharpest barbs for news as corporate promo tool. ABC/Disney invested in internet company; spokesman serenaded Diane Sawyer on GMA.
About the system, not people. System away from goal: inform. Once competitive industry like entertainment, farce.
Comedy Central owned by Comedy Partners (AOL Time Warner/Viacom joint venture; Viacom owns CBS).
We're all going to get fired by same guy one day, crossbreed Dolly the Sheep and Murdoch kid.
Elections over, next story New Hampshire projecting 2004 trends. Next primary 3.5 years away.
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