John Lennon and Paul McCartney consider appearing on Saturday Night Live
Saturday 24 April 1976 | People
On the evening that Wings' album Wings at the Speed of Sound reached number one in the US charts, Paul McCartney visited John Lennon at the Dakota building in New York City.
At the time, Lennon was watching NBC's late-night comedy programme Saturday Night (later renamed Saturday Night Live), broadcast from 11:30pm to 1:00am Eastern Time. The episode featured appearances by Raquel Welch and John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful.
The Lorne Michaels Offer
During the broadcast, co-creator and producer Lorne Michaels made a tongue-in-cheek on-air offer of $3,000 for The Beatles to reunite on the show.
"John, Paul, George and Ringo: The Beatles… The NBC has authorised me to authorise you a certified cheque for $3,000… all you have to do is sing three Beatle tunes."
— Lorne Michaels, NBC's Saturday Night
Michaels' offer became an unexpected cultural moment, as both Lennon and McCartney were reportedly watching the broadcast in real time.
Lennon and McCartney Reaction
"Paul and I were together watching that show… we nearly got into a cab, but we were actually too tired."
— John Lennon, 1980
According to Lennon, the pair briefly considered travelling to the Rockefeller Center studio, but ultimately decided against it. Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney later left the Dakota while Lennon and Yoko Ono remained in the apartment.
Aftermath and Legacy
The incident is often cited as the closest The Beatles came to an informal reunion after their breakup. The story was later dramatized in the 2000 television film Two of Us, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg.
FAQs
Did Lennon and McCartney reunite on Saturday Night Live?
No, although they briefly considered visiting the studio, they did not go.
What offer did Lorne Michaels make?
A comedic on-air offer of $3,000 for The Beatles to reunite and perform three songs.
Where were Lennon and McCartney watching from?
John Lennon's apartment at the Dakota in New York City.
Why didn't they go to the studio?
Lennon later said they were too tired to make the trip.
Has this event been dramatized?
Yes, it inspired the 2000 TV drama Two of Us.
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