Jake and Elwood page 3

 Jake and Elwood page 3 by ric gustafson

The first person Lorne Michaels thought about for his new cast was Gilda Radner. Radner was 28 and impressed Michaels while performing in ' Godspell'. In Toronto, Dan Aykroyd was leading a cast of newcomers. These newcomers included Catherine O'Hara, Andrea Martin and Dave Thomas.

In June of 1975, Michaels and Ebersol looked at performers on the West Coast. One person they found was Loraine Newman. Back in New York, they found a black playwright and actor named Garrett Morris.

Then Michaels found Chevy Chase. He was hired to be a writer but quickly joined the new cast.

Michaels wanted to check out John Belushi at a National Lampoon show. He was impressed. He hired him. Then Michaels hired Dan Aykroyd. Michaels called his new cast the Not Ready for Prime Time Players. Michaels hired Jane Curtin.

On October 11 1975, ' Saturday Night' began. The first show George Carlin was host. Lorne Michaels manager Bernie Brillstein convinced John to a sign a contract at the last minute.

The show took place in NBC's Studio 8H. The second show featured a reunion of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Michaels asked Rob Reiner to host show number 3. Candace Bergen hosted show number 4.

research help: ' The Blues Brothers' by Daniel de Vise

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric