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Remember When Paul Simon Started His Journey To Becoming the All-Time Best SNL Musical Guest in 1975?
Paul Simon's long association with Saturday Night Live began in October 1975, when he hosted the second-ever episode of the show, then still called Saturday Night. Simon's music-heavy appearance came as the fledgling programme was still finding its comedic identity, and it set the pattern for what would become one of television's most enduring host-artist relationships, with Simon later becoming a fixture for anniversary episodes and other special occasions.
The episode leaned almost entirely on musical performances rather than sketches, with the Not Ready For Prime-Time Players featuring only briefly. Simon opened the show singing "Still Crazy After All These Years", performed his monologue as a rendition of "Loves Me Like A Rock" with the Jesse Dixon Singers, and later performed alongside Art Garfunkel, while Randy Newman and Phoebe Snow also appeared. Comedy was largely confined to pre-taped segments featuring Jim Henson's Muppets and Albert Brooks. Simon went on to host and perform on SNL many times over the following decades, including a memorable turkey-costume performance in 1976 and an appearance on the first episode after the 11 September 2001 attacks.
In short
- Paul Simon hosted SNL's second-ever episode in October 1975
- The show was music-heavy, with little sketch comedy featured
- Simon became a recurring SNL guest for major anniversaries and events
Explained simply
Saturday Night Live is a US comedy and music programme that began in 1975, when its cast were billed as the Not Ready For Prime-Time Players. Paul Simon was already a successful singer-songwriter, known both for his solo work and for the songs he made with Art Garfunkel.
Simon’s second episode as host was unusually focused on music while the new programme was still developing its mix of comedy and live performance. It featured Simon singing alone and with Garfunkel, alongside appearances by Randy Newman and Phoebe Snow; Jim Henson’s Muppets and Albert Brooks appeared in recorded comedy segments.
Simon returned to the programme over many years, performing and hosting at special occasions as well as in regular episodes. That history matters because SNL has made repeat appearances by musicians part of its identity, linking live music with comedy and marking moments in American television and public life.
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