My first thought is: Jesus Christ! Half a century ago?

But, yes, I was there at 11:30 Eastern Standard Time, Oct. 11, 1975, with pen and notebook in hand. I was prepared. Unlike perhaps most of the audience, I was prepared because I was a subscriber to the National Lampoon. And I listened, and taped, the weekly National Lampoon Radio Hour. Which meant that I knew who Michael O’Donoghue was, and Chevy Chase, and Belushi, and even Christopher Guest. I had seen the latter three in a live performance of the Lampoon‘s Woodstock takedown, Lemmings. One of the hardest I’ve ever laughed was at that legendary show. It’s also why I still kinda give Chase a pass, despite so many damning accusations of dickitude on his part. His performance in the John Denver parody Colorado was Chalpinesque in its timing, as were his painful pratfalls.

And as I watched that premier episode, I took notes. I’m not entirely sure why, other than to have a reference for the current comedy thinking. And I took notes for almost every show in the first couple seasons. And in the first five years — the Canon — I only missed one show. Which I saw later on reruns. (It was the Hugh Hefner episode.) Which meant that I didn’t have much of a social life in those days. I was mostly between bands, otherwise would be on a gig. There were times when I left parties early so I could be home watching the show, concentrating without the annoying distraction of…friends.

Although in 1978, I got one of the early VCR machines. It was neither Beta nor VHS, but a third type, modeled on the professional Sony U-matic 3/4-inch tape decks. The Quasar Great Time Machine was huge, with bulky, expensive tapes. But now I could record each show and still go out on a saturday night.

I still have the machine and many tapes, including a tape of the greatest Saturday Night Live episode: The King Tut show. Steve Martin was the host and the show included the wild and crazy Festrunk brothers, Theodoric, Barber of York, musical guests the Blues Brothers, and a lovely and weird dance number with Steve and Gilda.

(Sidebar: Later in 1978, I was in Dallas, visiting a now-married high school friend. For some reason, he thought it would be a good idea to visit a strip club. The first gal comes out, leans over the jukebox to choose a song to dance to. It was King Tut. I still prefer Steve’s version.)

So, yeah, it’s been a long time. I don’t take notes on shows I like anymore. I sometimes hit the “Like” button.