SNL Season 3, Episode 4: Charles Grodin

This episode was a masterful piece of high-concept comedy. Charles Grodin played the part of an intentionally terrible host who was unprepared, rude to the cast, and clearly didn’t want to be there. He skipped rehearsals, read his lines poorly, and created a sense of genuine chaos. The commitment to the bit was brilliant, making for a uniquely uncomfortable and hilarious viewing experience. Some of the audience seemed to be in on the joke, while others were not. Paul Simon, appearing as both musical guest and a knowing participant in the chaos, was fantastic. It was a risky, experimental show that completely broke the format, and the result was one of the most memorable and daring episodes of the entire series.