logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
51m 21s

Live From New York, It's Your Grandmothe...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

During its first 50 seasons, Saturday Night Live has welcomed legendary actors, superstar athletes, and notable politicians. But for one memorable night in 1977, Lorne Michaels turned the show over to an 80-year-old amateur. 

*

Special thanks to Connie Crawford for sharing her story. And thanks to the great Bill Carter for stopping by! You can read more of his work at LateNighter, or check out his many classic books.

*

Hosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason English
Written by Jake Rossen
Produced by Josh Fisher
Editing and Sound Design by Chris Childs
Mixing and Mastering by Chris Childs
Original Music by Elise McCoy
Show Logo by Lucy Quintanilla
Executive Producer is Jason English

Thanks for listening. We'll return to our weekly publishing cadence later next month. Exciting things in the works! Until then, you can always email the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com, or go check out the back catalog. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Nov 19
The Dogs of Chernobyl
<p>When Russia invaded Ukraine, hundreds of starving dogs were trapped inside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. For years, Oregon-based veterinarian Dr. Jenn Betz had been their lifeline. Now, with Putin&rsquo;s troops occupying the site, she had only one thought: How do I get back t ... Show More
45 m
Nov 12
The Grocery Store That Killed Communism
In 1989, Boris Yeltsin walked into a Houston supermarket — and walked out ready to end an empire. What he saw in Texas that day would shake the foundations of the Soviet Union. * On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story each week. Follow us down a differ ... Show More
43m 53s
Nov 5
The Arctic Balloon
In 1897, a Swedish engineer set out to reach the North Pole ... by balloon. With two companions, a crate of champagne, and the faith of a nation, he rose into the Arctic fog — and vanished. Decades later, their frozen journals and undeveloped film emerged from the ice, revealing ... Show More
53m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2021
#40 Barbara Shutt
<p>In 1968, Jonathan&rsquo;s mother-in-law Becky spent one of the best summers of her life with a woman named Barbara. But then they never spoke again. Now, over fifty years later, Becky learns something about Barbara that makes her question whether she ever really knew her at al ... Show More
36m 36s
Dec 2024
Big Parma
Stuffed crust pizza. Grilled cheese burritos. How did so much cheese get into so many things? On today's episode, we peel back the curtain on the Dairy Industrial Complex — AKA Big Parma.  * VERY SPECIAL CREDITS On the Very Special Episodes podcast, we tell one incredible story e ... Show More
40m 30s
Jun 2024
Miles Davis
Miles Davis admitted in his autobiography to being a pimp that sold women for sex to support his heroin habit, and that was just the tip of the iceberg for this brilliant jazz musician who was incredibly honest about his many, many vices. You can find clips of the show on TikTok ... Show More
45m 18s
Apr 2024
Charles Dickens and JM Barrie
A literary Scumbags double-header! Featuring the not-so-great personal histories of the authors of "A Christmas Carol" and "Peter Pan".Scumbags of History is a production of Voyage Media and Enthusiast Gaming. The series is produced by Nat Mundel, and Dan Benamor (Voyage Media), ... Show More
53m 35s
Dec 2024
Episode 508 || Yes, Virginia
<p>This week on From the Front Porch, Annie’s dad, Chris Butterworth, reads the New York Sun reporter Francis P. Church’s timeless response to eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon’s question: “Is there a Santa Claus?” Read the letter from 1897 and learn about its history <a href='htt ... Show More
9m 2s
Aug 11
Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Flood’s Town Hall
Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn This week on The Monday Edit we're talking: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Flood’s disastrous town hall, sports coverage on Peacock, Gilded Age takeawa ... Show More
31m 15s
Dec 2024
Stealing Baby Jesus
While leafing through 75 years of local newspapers, Zaron Burnett uncovers an American Christmas tradition as ingrained in our culture as the red-and-white Santa: sneaking up to a nativity scene and stealing the Baby Jesus. And, in many cases, immediately regretting it. Note: Ple ... Show More
22m 39s
Aug 14
Americana Music Live with Drew Holcomb and Malcolm Gladwell
Wrapping up our summer music series, the Memphis-born, East Nashville-based singer songwriter Drew Holcomb talks with Malcolm in front of a live audience at the Cherry Lane Theater in Greenwich Village. Drew plays original songs and a few covers you might recognize on this explor ... Show More
1h 18m