The fiftieth anniversary celebration of Saturday Night Live took place on Sunday, February 16, 2025. This three-hour NBC television special featured appearances by current and former cast members, along with a very large number of celebrity guests.If you are unfamiliar with Saturday Night Live, you’ve been “living under a rock,” a popular expression “back in the day” meaning a person who is “out of touch” or unaware of what is going on around them. If you missed this celebration and plan to “catch the clips” of this iconic reunion, it is best get into the appropriate mood by “kicking back,” and “taking it easy.
The point we are making is that from its very first show Saturday Night Live has presented its viewers with outlooks that push the boundaries of controversial topics. It is quite common even to this day to see specific skits replayed on networks news (now cable and social media) throughout the following week. SNL still walks a very thin line line with their “spoofs” of well-known personalities, especially those who habitually make fools of themselves.
Sadly two of SNL brightest lights didn’t show up for up for this special remembrance, but tributes were made to both of them. John Belushi and Gilda Radner each had an original comedic style which caught our attention and made us love them dearly. Belushi died in 1982 of a cocaine overdose and Radner passed away in 1989 from ovarian cancer. Both are missed terribly but their early deaths represent two very common “exits” at that time and still to this day.
   #23 MON AQU John Belushi |    #64 FRI CAN Gilda Radner |   #28TUE CAN Dan Aykroyd |
   #78 SAT VIR Jane Curtin |  #83 SAT AQU Garrett Morris |    #22 MON CAP Laraine Newman |
  #67 FRI LIB Chevy Chase |
The original cast who called themselves “Not Ready for Prime time Players” came from several comedic groups already in existence, namely the Harvard Lampoon Radio Hour, Second City and The Groundlings. Between the seven of them, a comedy troop in the true meaning of the word was formed. When we think of “the golden age of live TV comedy” these faces come to mind.
How did this team become so memorable? Dayology has some of the answers. First of all this group was composed of SEVEN talented comedians. Of these seven, four were male and three were female, a good mix at that time. The racial ratio could have been better according to the one and only black player, Garrett Morris. Still the number seven is considered “lucky” in establishing and operating successful enterprises. It is precisely the number of items an average person can hold at one time in their working memory and groups of seven elements are most genreally perceived as balanced and pleasing to the eye. Seven just seems to work!
As to the specific Dayology energies, two performers have an exceptionally strong lunar connection. John Belushi was born on a Monday which relates closely to the Cancer Sun Sign of Dan Aykroyd. This zany team went on to become the Blues Brothers on a mission from God. Chevy Chase and Gilda Radner were born on Fridays ruled by Venus. Together they created the portrayal of confused but lovable Emily Littella appealing for clarity. Laraine Newman, born in Pisces and ruled by Jupiter played many subtle but important roles including the modern Cone Head daughter. Jane Curtin and Garrett Morris, born on Saturday, provided balance and ballast to the crew. She became famous for her “dead pan” characterizations and her sharp wit. He was known for his edgy portrays of of celebrities like Richard Pryor, James Brown and Stevie Wonder.
The unparalleled talent and energy of this extraordinary group of seven performers has provided audiences incredible enjoyment and fine memories. Their innovative artistic formats and high professional standards were unbelievable for their time and have yet to be surpassed. While all the SNL teams have been entertaining, the original cast remains truly unforgettable.
