The 8th Episode of Season 2 of Saturday Night Live aired on November 20, 1976. The host was Paul Simon, and the musical guest was Paul Simon & George Harrison.
This was a monumental episode for music lovers. Paul Simon, already a show favorite, was a comfortable and charming host, easily slipping into sketches and delivering a great monologue. But the real story was his musical collaboration with George Harrison. Their stripped-down performance of songs like “Here Comes the Sun” was a magical, historic moment of television. The rest of the show was good, with a funny “Billy Paul” sketch, but everything was overshadowed by the musical segments. The episode felt less like a comedy show and more like a very special concert event. It was a beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime pairing that transcended the show’s usual format and created an unforgettable television memory.
Host Paul Simon, musical guest George Harrison, and now former cast member Chevy Chase appear in a cold open where Simon frets over his monologue. This is the SNL cold open where Harrison asks Lorne Michaels for one-fourth of the money he offered for a Beatles reunion.
Air Date: November 20, 1976
Season 2, Paul Simon, Paul Simon & George Harrison, A
