The story of Lorne Michaels offering the Beatles $3,000 to reunite on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) is a classic tale from the world of television and music. It happened during the April 24, 1976, episode of SNL, during the show's first season. Lorne Michaels, the creator and producer of SNL, made a humorous on-air offer to the Beatles, suggesting they reunite for a live performance on the show for a payment of $3,000.
Michaels addressed the Beatles directly during a segment of the show, explaining that while SNL was just a simple show, they could scrape together $3,000. He jokingly broke down how the band could split the money, suggesting that if it was too much, they could give Ringo less. The offer was not meant to be taken seriously—it was a playful bit reflecting the longing for a Beatles reunion among fans.
Interestingly, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, who were watching the show together at Lennon’s apartment in New York, actually considered taking a cab to the studio for a surprise appearance. They thought it might be funny to show up and demand the $3,000, but ultimately decided against it, partly because they were too tired. This spontaneous idea of theirs added a fascinating footnote to the legend of the Beatles, showing how close the fans came to seeing a mini-reunion on live television.
George Harrison did indeed appear on "Saturday Night Live," but not as part of a Beatles reunion. His appearance occurred later in the year, on the November 20, 1976 episode. This episode is memorable not only for Harrison's musical performances but also for a humorous segment involving the earlier offer Lorne Michaels had made to the Beatles.
During the show, Lorne Michaels and George Harrison participated in a sketch together where they discussed the $3,000 offer. In the sketch, Michaels attempted to clarify that the $3,000 offer was meant for all four Beatles, not just George. Harrison, playing along with the joke, pretended to haggle with Michaels, trying to get the full amount just for himself. George said, “I’ve come all this way. It’s $3000. That was the deal!” Michaels replied, "You see, I thought that you would understand, you know, that it was $3000 for four people, that it would just be $750 for each of you. I mean, as far as I’m concerned, you could have the full $3000. But the network...”
After Harrison said NBC was "chintzy," Michaels offered and Harrison accepted $250 to say the show's opening catchphrase, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”
In addition to the comedic sketch, George Harrison performed two songs from his then-latest album, "Thirty-Three & 1/3." His musical performances and the humorous back-and-forth with Michaels made this episode particularly special, highlighting Harrison's sense of humor and his willingness to engage in the playful spirit of SNL.
The joke about Lorne Michaels' offer continued in later years, particularly involving Paul McCartney. In a playful continuation of this running gag, Paul McCartney appeared on "Saturday Night Live" on December 11, 1993. During his appearance, he humorously referenced the original $3,000 offer.
In a sketch, McCartney and Lorne Michaels revisited the topic, with McCartney jokingly asking for the $3,000, as if he was finally there to collect it. The sketch was a nod to the long-standing joke from 1976 and served as a light-hearted acknowledgment of the history and the missed opportunity for a Beatles reunion on the show. Lorne
This ongoing joke became a charming and recurring element in SNL's history, tying back to the show's earlier days and its interactions with legendary musical figures like the Beatles.
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