SNL - first 5 seasons

[daveB from Oakland]

It seems strange that they'd make an announcement of SNL on Netflix without the rights in place.

Yeah, it does seem strange. It seems like it oughta work, considering Netflix is a paid service. There's money being circulated that should go to ... somebody. But figuring out exactly who gets paid for each individual musical performance ... oof, I imagine that's gonna cause some headaches.

But they somehow managed to offer complete shows for the first five seasons. The recent seasons that Netflix makes available mostly have the music cut out, I think. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Gilly]

The first five have been out on DVD so that was taken care of. I don't think it's going to be a problem getting the rights, what I'm saying is that I'm not sure that it's the problem. I'm guessing the rights have been taken care of for a long time once they started releasing seasons on DVD with the intent of releasing them all.

The current seasons don't have the music? Maybe they're doing it for a reason because I can't imagine that any show released in the past 15 years wouldn't have music rights locked down long before it's even filmed.

[nec13]

It's weird that a deal would be in place without the clearances already there. Maybe they don't foresee issues, but look at how many TV show box sets have come with generic bed music in place of great soundtracks, and how The Wonder Years hasn't seen a release because of song rights. It seems strange that they'd make an announcement of SNL on Netflix without the rights in place.

They absolutely butchered the first season of WKRP in Cincinnati. Considering that music was such an integral part of that show, I wonder why they even put it out in the first place.

[snogrog]

I really hope Lorne Michaels isn't a douche and releases season 81-85 because I know from that SNL book from a few years back that he pretty much denies their existence.

Also, I cannot wait for the 85-86 season to see Downey Jr, Anthony Michael Hall, Joan Cusack, Jim Belushi and more because the one episode I ever saw from that season was a goddamn mess.

Alos, I really just want the Star Wars Auditions skit in high quality.

[Smelodies]

Here's what I'm waiting for:

• A YouTube of Chevy's and Billy's fistfight.
• Any kind of political discussion caught on tape between Al Franken and Victoria Jackson or Nora Dunn and Victoria Jackson.

[Gilly]

The 87-94 seasons were added today.

[Chris L]

The 87-94 seasons were added today.

Looks like they're all there, in chopped up form and with no music.