A History of Performers Banned from SNL
A few of my favorites from the whole story:
(It cracks me up that people would host SNL then spend the whole show “mugging for the camera.” It’s so simultaneously funny and unfunny, and I just picture Lorne Michaels fuming every time an actor breaks scene, only to turn to the camera and make a big “Who, ME?” face.)
•Frank Zappa was banned from the show after his hosting stint on October 21, 1978. His distinct sense of humor made him unpopular with the cast and crew. During his performance, he made a habit of reading cue-cards and mugging for the camera, and many cast members (save for John Belushi) deliberately stood far from him during the goodnights.
•The April 14, 1979 episode of the show hosted by Milton Berle resulted in him being banned due to his habit of upstaging other performers, overacting, mugging for the camera, insertion of “classic” comedy bits and his maudlin performance of “September Song.”
•A proposed banning of a frequent guest was left in the hands of viewers on November 20, 1982. Andy Kaufman, who had appeared in the very first episode in 1975 and periodically thereafter, was the subject of a viewer poll to decide if Kaufman should be allowed to stay or be banned for life from the show. Viewers had to call a 900 number to cast their vote. They decided to kick him off, and Kaufman never returned to the show.
Note: It was actually Kaufman who pitched the idea to Dick Ebersol weeks before, and Ebersol used the idea after he had a fight with Kaufman.
•Cypress Hill were banned from appearing on SNL again after their performance as the musical guest on the October 2, 1993 episode, where DJ Muggs lit up a marijuana joint on-air and the band trashed their instruments after playing their second single “I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That.”
(thx Erik)