Who would have thought so many people and musical acts had been banned from appearing again on Saturday Night Live, it would take up three blogs? But, the most notorious banned is still to come!
Sinead O’Connor
Few people who were watching the night of October 3, 1992 can forgot the image of Sinead O’Connor saying “Fight the real enemy!” while ripping a photo of Pope John Paul II in half. The “applause” cue was cut off and the audience just sat silent in amazement. NBC received many complaints about this episode within minutes. Host Tim Robbins was raised Catholic and refused to thank Sinead for appearing. NBC still refuses to give this footage to any media outlet.
Cypress Hill
Proving they were indeed the bad boys of hip hop, DJ Muggs lit a marijuana joint while on air and the band trashed their instruments after their second song.
Martin Lawrence
Comedian Martin Lawrence was banned after his 1994 opening monologue touched on some touchy subjects. This monologue has been edited out of any repeats, so don’t look for this one.
Chevy Chase
While this just seems wrong, one of the original Not Ready For Prime Time players was banned from ever hosting the show again. Chevy Chase verbally abused both cast and crew, so Lorne Michaels gave him the axe – permanently.
Adrien Brody
This one hurts, as Adrien Brody is one of my favorite actors. But, in his May 10, 2003 stint as host, he did the unthinkable – an improvisational monologue. Michaels is notorious for hating adlib and not only was the monologue unapproved, it was rambling and ended with Brody announcing the musical guest as “Sean John,” not “Sean Paul.”
So there it is, the list of those banned from SNL. Let this be a lesson to any of you who ever hope to host – don’t make Lorne Michaels mad!