In 1986, a host no-showed ‘Saturday Night Live’. The problem was they had no idea they were supposed to be hosting
Morgan Fairchild was scheduled to host Saturday Night Live in 1986, but nobody told her. She learnt about the booking from her mother, who had seen it in TV Guide, just days before the broadcast.
Fairchild was filming in another country and could not leave the production in time. She later said an agent at her agency had apparently booked her without informing her or the agency’s head; her attempts to apologise to SNL producer Lorne Michaels were unsuccessful. The incident left her believing Michaels might never forgive her, and she has regretted missing the opportunity.
In short
- Morgan Fairchild was booked to host SNL without being told.
- She found out from her mother just days before the show.
- A film shoot abroad meant she could not make it.
Explained simply
Saturday Night Live is an American live comedy programme, shown weekly and built around sketches and a guest host. The host introduces the show and appears in sketches, so taking the role involves being available for rehearsals and the broadcast.
Morgan Fairchild is an American actor known for television and film roles. In 1986, she was working abroad when she discovered that she had been booked to host the programme, apparently without her knowledge; she could not get back in time.
The booking involved an agent at Fairchild’s agency and Lorne Michaels, SNL’s producer. The episode illustrates how a breakdown in communication over a high-profile booking can leave the person named as host unable to take part, and can affect professional relationships.