The 50th (!) anniversary of Saturday Night Live has spawned a "biopic" focused on the debut show and the original cast. A fond look back is certainly deserved for Garrett Morris who battled stereotypes (think Chico Escuela and "Beisbol has been bery-bery good to me") to become part of television history. A fine actor and singer, Garrett was initially hired as part of the writing staff, then added to the cast after Lorne Michaels saw his work in Cooley High. After SNL, Garrett didn't enjoy the starring movie and tv roles of some of his colleagues, but he carved out a fine career in supporting roles and he periodically makes live appearance telling jokes and showing off his vocal chops. Garrett is a member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame, but he will be forever in our minds shouting the headlines over Chevy Chase's shoulder in the bit "News for the Hearing Impaired." As always find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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Garrett didn't get too many solo sketches tossed his way at SNL so he made the most of them, including this bit on the White Guilt Relief Fund. https://youtu.be/JxAoPcZZatY?si=oVegkbGFXtu1-OwL

When Steve Harvey welcomed Garrett to Celebrity Family Feud it was time for the master to toss a little playful crap at the student. https://youtu.be/g-H-09zdweY?si=DrihXb1pOJXFgduV

Garrett remains a playful presence on screen and in the occasional live show -- telling jokes and singing. Here's a clip from the Catalina Jazz and Blues Club in 2017. https://youtu.be/f8fturBS6xM?si=mBDopchmLgv3zu-N

Meet Margaret Cho who emerged in the 1990s from a difficult childhood in San Francico to become a quadruple threat: stand-up comedian; actress; musician; and activist. In 1994 Margaret became the first Asian American to have her own TV sitcom (All American Girl) and after that was cancelled, she endured a period of drug and alcohol addiction before resurfacing with comedy that was far more pointed and personal. Margaret has also staged a burlesque style revue (The Sensuous Woman) and been a reliable guest star on television shows including HBO hits The Flight Attendant and Hacks. A prolific creator, she has recorded nine comedy albums and hosts two successful podcasts, along with a number of well-received books. As always, find more clips below and thanks for sharing our shows!

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One of Margaret's earliest major appearances was as part of the Just For Laughs comedy festival. Here's a sample. https://youtu.be/34lLm_gFTEY?si=7ZMcmn0MSio-6Y0j

After some rough years following cancellation of her sitcom, Margaret remerged with an act that had much more edge, including the well-received special "The Notorious C.H.O". https://youtu.be/2EkMNnNnYFI?si=G2_4GIzWtLb94eaC

Margaret continues to be a draw on the stand-up circuit with a routine that is playful and pointed. https://youtu.be/pyTZ_LGU7QI?si=Nq461hjl0VJh7fb7

A master of improv, sketch comedy, and impressions, Phil Hartman was the "glue" that held Saturday Night Live together in the 1980s and early 90s. He also was part of the Groundlings Improv troupe, helping Paul Reubens develop his Pee Wee Herman show, he was a frequent voice actor on the Simpsons, and he had a juicy role in the hit sitcom Newsradio. And oh yeah, he also was a fine graphic designer with a speciality in designing rock album covers and band logos. We would tell you what he did in his spare time, but it doesn't appear he had any -- he was too busy leaving huge footprints across the landscape of modern American comedy and pop culture. As always, find extra clips below and thanks for sharing our shows.

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Phil was a member of the Groundlings Improv troupe at the same time as Paul Reubens and was a key player in helping Paul shape his Pee Wee Herman character. Here's Paul and Phil -- I mean Pee Wee and Captain Carl from the original stage show. https://youtu.be/AFyWQTtIqkk?si=fIo_1DEtryQyVeo4

Phil had many standout impressions, but none more timely than Bill Clinton during his Presidency. This classic sketch will have you looking at McDonald's in a whole new way. https://youtu.be/eYt0khR_ej0?si=IcHXNVfMs5LZBZTp

Phil's last major role was as arrogant newsman Bill McNeal on the Newsradio sitcom. Here's Phil, as Bill, issuing a rare retraction.https://youtu.be/lipkFJNcKns?si=QA9sBhGXHx1NIXEf