Book #164: Saturday Night Dead by Richard Rosen

 


Saturday Night Dead

Richard Rosen

 Released: June 10th, 1988

My 30th book for 2026 was Richard Rosen’s Saturday Night Dead.  

I found this book at Goodwill in Stephen's City, Virginia.  I flew home for a funeral, and was out in the town for a bit.  I read the majority of it on United's UA780 from DC back to Portland.

This book is about former Boston Red Sox player Harvey Blissberg, as he uncovers the mysterious death of a late night variety show executive who was murdered.  At first, Harvey is tasked with finding a drunken player who has skipped out on his hosting duties for the show.  After the murder, he is called into further action to crack the case.  This leads to the introduction of many cast members with various talents, abilities, and even deep secrets.  The book showcases what being a regular writer and talent on the show in those days really felt like.

I am a huge fan of the late 1980's and early 1990's Era SNL.  This was after the difficult seasons that preceded it and was heralded by the arrivals of big names such as Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Chris Farley, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Kevin Nealon, and many others.  To me, this was the biggest era of SNL, even more so than the early years or the later years to follow.  The set looked great, the performances were legendary, and a huge part of my childhood remembers rewatching reruns decades later, wishing I could go back to that particular night.

For those unfamiliar with the late 80's SNL, here is a video that will recap the show up to that point, and introduce the changes the show brought about in it's 14th season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXEs-vKV5As

I did feel a bit of remorse after seeing just how difficult these shows can be.  The anger of not getting a sketch approved, feeling wasted as a talent as they give you a "reserve salary".  The difficulties of navigating a big city that you do not want to be in.  It's a very interesting look.

I know that I take such a huge interest, but I love that time period and pop culture from that era, so I tend to favor the material a lot more.

Here is what I learned:

—————

  • To Mac.
  • The New York Mets defeat the Boston Red Sox in 7 games to win the World Series.
  • Dave Kasick’s favorite drink is Stolichnaya Vodka.
  • Dave plays outfielder for the Red Sox.
  • Dave hit 34 home runs this season.
  • Dave has alcoholism.
  • Dave frequents the Ninth Avenue Bar when he is in New York City.
  • Roy Ganz is the executive producer of “Last Laughs”, a late night comedy variety show.
  • Roy sent Harvey to find Dave when he failed to show up for hosting duties.
  • Harvey Blissberg is Dave’s former roommate and drinking buddy.
  • Paula Coles is the talent coordinator for Last Laughs.
  • Roy books Harvey a room at the Boswell House in NYC.
  • There is an office reserved in the writer’s wing for guest hosts.
  • Tina is Roy’s secretary.
  • Karen Baldwin has never ask Roy why her writing never made the show.
  • “Only a man with no conscience or sense of responsibility can be a humorist.”
  • "Winning Is Better Than Losing, But Losing With Pride Is Better Than Winning Without It."
SIX PHASES OF A PROJECT
  1. ENTHUSIASM
  2. DISILLUSIONMENT
  3. PANIC
  4. SEARCH FOR THE GUILTY
  5. PUNISHMENT OF THE INNOCENT
  6. PRAISE & HONORS FOR THE NONPARTICIPANTS
  • Joey Hanes is the head writer.
  • The post-show party is held in an airy penthouse on the top floor.
  • The network building is in West 47th.
  • Roy is dead from falling off the network building.
  • Mike Altiser is the president of business affairs.
  • Kasick lives in Pennsylvania.
  • “Professor” was Harvey’s old nickname in baseball.
  • Curt Geller is unhappy with his job as a writer on the show.
  • He prefers the West Coast.
  • Geller is dating Mimi Weiss.
  • Mimi was once married to Roy.
  • “Comedy arises from the attempt to maintain one's dignity in the face of bizarre events."
  • Marty Beaver once wrote for the Jack Benton Show.
  • Harvey’s father once owned an Italian restaurant in suburban Boston.
  • Harvey enjoys the works of John Singer Sargent.
  • Harvey and Mickey hook up.
  • Dickie Nacke does his laundry at a laundromat on 74th.
  • The B. Dalton bookstore is located between 52nd and 53rd.
  • The road from Hollywood to Santa Monica is paved with old child-actors.
  • New York City water pressure had always been the best in the American League.
  • “My Baby Brother” took place in a town called Longdale.
  • Davy Crockett never ate dessert in his entire life.
  • Yummies is a catering company in Harlem.
  • It is owned by Les Byers’ uncle.
  • “A man, a plan, a canal, Panama”.
  • “Poor Dan is in a droop.”
  • Max Wiley smokes Macanudo.

—————

Overall, pretty good read, especially if you are into mysteries taking place in large cities, crime thrillers, or a fan of late-night comedy in general, and want a closer look into the madness that happens "behind the curtain".

Recommended.

On to Book #165: Beach Money by Preston Pairo.

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Need to catch up?  See previous blog post: Batman & Robin.

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