To the regular SNL viewer, it appears everything is humming along just fine in Season Four: The entire cast is back, ratings are up, and they are attracting A-list stars like the Rolling Stones to host.
But the behind-the-scenes story is very different. The previous summer, Animal House became a runaway hit, making John Belushi a household name. This not only gave Belushi the impression he may have outgrown the show, it granted him access to the type of people and drugs that nearly killed him halfway through the season.
But as Belushi faded and Dan Aykroyd set his sights on leaving the show to film the Blues Brothers movie, third-year cast member Bill Murray took the reins. Murray took the show seriously, putting in the work needed to save “Weekend Update” and carry the show to the finish line.
In the meantime, Gilda Radner put in one of the most spectacular SNL performances to date as drugged-out rock star Candy Slice. Aykroyd introduced the world to Blue-Collar Male Prostitute Fred Garvin. And hosts like Margot Kidder and Richard Benjamin shined, while host Milton Berle helmed a show so bad it has subsequently been banned from reruns. (And his behind-the-scenes behavior was substantially worse.)
We discuss all these issues, including looking back at the legacy of the departing Belushi and Aykroyd, this week on Wasn’t That Special.
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