SNL Transcripts: Frank Zappa: 10/21/78: NBC’s New Image



 Saturday Night Live Transcripts


  Season 4: Episode 3





78c: Frank Zappa

NBC’s New Image

Fred Silverman … John Belushi

[Seated at his desk, NBC president Fred Silverman,wearing a suit and tie, addresses the camera.]

Fred Silverman: Good evening, I’m Fred Silverman. LastJune, when I became president of NBC, I vowed thatthis network would undergo significant changes toreflect what you, the American TV viewer, wanted tosee. In the four months since I’ve been its president,NBC has undertaken the most extensive researchcampaign in the history of television. The resultsindicated that you, the American TV viewer, wantsomething different, a new look — a new look with newfaces. [holds up reams of computer paper] And,surprisingly, in all our data — the Trendex,Arbitron, and Nielsen surveys — all arrows pointed toone person. Over and over again, one man’s name cameup. And that man’s name … is Frank Zappa. [Cheersand applause.] Quite frankly – quite frankly, no onewas more surprised, you know, as I was. I thought it’dbe Tony Orlando. Personally, I stopped following Zappaafter his Mothers Live at the Fillmore album.Although, that burrito thing still makes me laugh.[laughs, quickly recovers] But the American peoplespoke and NBC listened. And I am proud to announcethat we have signed Frank Zappa to a long-term,exclusive contract … [holds up a contract with agigantic “FRANK ZAPPA” signature scribbled across thebottom – cheers and applause] … with the NationalBroadcasting Company. And you’ll be NBCeeing a lot ofFrank. Hey, and I’m not CBSing you, either. Yes, theentire NBC star-making machinery is behind FrankZappa. This January, he’ll be starring in his ownsituation comedy as a high school basketball coach on”The Zappa Wonders.” And here tonight, to unveil NBC’snew look, Frank Zappa! Live from New York, it’sSaturday Night!

Submitted Anonymously

SNL Transcripts

Author: Don Roy King

Don Roy King has directed fourteen seasons of Saturday Night Live. That work has earned him ten Emmys and fourteen nominations. Additionally, he has been nominated for fifteen DGA Awards and won in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

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