Daily Dirt: ‘It’s not that I don’t like exercise … Oh wait, yes, yes it is’

For the record, I never tried out for the cast of Saturday Night Live. More about SNL in a minute … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 284 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Raise your hand if you have a collection of “go-to” videos you enjoy watching when times are great, bad or indifferent?

For me, it’s these. In no particular order:

• 1. “Viva La Vida”: It’s the only Coldplay song I really care for, but I do love this effort from lead singer Chris Martin. I have read that “Viva La Vida” is an interpretation of King Louis’s lost last speech before his death. The song is written through King Louis’s point of view, as he apologizes to his people, accepting his fate.
• 2. “I Don’t Wanna Talk About It”: The Rod Stewart-Amy Belle compilation is an absolute all-time classic. The live version, which has drawn almost 700 million YouTube views, is worth watching just to see the audience take over the song. Rod and Amy simply step back, listen and smile.
• 3. “First Cut Is The Deepest”: This is one of those songs that only Rod Stewart can do justice. And he does.
• 4. “Dangerous”: The video is filled with tremendous energy, but also strikes a note of sadness. Roxette lead singer Gun-Marie Frederikkson died in 2018 following a long battle with cancer. That’s heard to forget while watching this tremendous performer, who was always so full of life on stage.
• 5. “What If I Said”: Steve Wariner and Anita Cochran combined for this great, great song, which was catalogued as country but was actually more middle of the road. The first time I heard it in 1997 I was hooked. So much so that it was the song my wife-to-be, Kathy, and I decided to make it the song we danced to at our wedding reception one year later.

2. I found these beauties on Facebook this week:

“It’s not that I don’t like exercise … Oh wait, yes, yes it is.”

“The sign outside the room hosting the Flatulence Support Group: Please keep this door open.”

“Bacon is 73 percent fat and salty. Me too, bacon. Me too.”

“Drinking one gallon of water a day helps avoid other people’s drama because you are too busy peeing.”

“Today I’m doing nothing, because I started doing it yesterday and I wasn’t finished … and I’m no quitter.”

3. I recently read an interesting expose about “Saturday Night Live” during the earlier years when it was actually funny and must-see TV.

Some of the highlights included:

• Candice Bergen was the first female host, but the female who hosted the late-night show the most was Drew Barrymore with six appearances.
• Eight cast members have died, including two from from addiction (John Belushi, Chris Farley) and one (Phil Hartman) who was murdered.
• Several stars were banned from hosting or appearing again after running afoul of program policies. The most notable may be comedian Martin Lawrence, whose monologue dealt with the feminine hygiene and infuriated some listeners — and sponsors.
• In SNL’s first season, the Muppets were a part of every show. 
• Among those who were not selected for SNL include Lisa Kudrow, Stephen Colbert, Kevin Hart and Jim Carrey.
• Chevy Chase’s real name is Cornelius Crane Chase.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Steve’s all-time favorite SNL performer was John Belushi.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He is our Buck Henry.