Saturday Night Live has been home to many comedy legends, but few have made an impact
quite like Jane Curtin.
As one of the original cast members of this celebrated show, she's been at the heart of
laughter and innovation for over 50 years.
But what about those long-standing rumors concerning her relationship with her co-stars,
or the intense clashes and behind-the-scenes drama that marked those early years?
For the first time ever, Curtin is ready to confirm what many have long speculated, sharing
insights into infamous events like the 1978 fight between Chevy Chase and Bill Murray,
her unique bonds with icons like John Belushi and Michael Lorne, and the familial tension
that shaped SNL's unforgettable comedy.
So get cozy and pour yourself a drink, because these revelations might surprise even the
most devoted SNL fans.
Join us as we explore Curtin's intimate reflections, providing a never-before-seen glimpse into
the world of SNL, with stories of triumphs, conflicts, camaraderie, and creative genius
that have defined one of the most influential shows in television history.
Facts Verse Presents: Jane Curtin Confirms the Rumors of Her SNL Co-Star 50 Years Later
Curtin Steered Clear of John Belushi
Jane Curtin's time on 'Saturday Night Live' was not without its share of trials, tribulations,
and challenges.
In recent interviews, Curtin, now aged 75, has finally opened up about some of the memories
that cast a shadow over her experience, particularly with one co-star, the late John Belushi.
While Curtin has acknowledged getting along with most of the cast, she couldn't ignore
the glaring problems she faced with Belushi.
The difficulties, she explained, talking to People, weren't personal.
Rather, they were mostly connected to Belushi's battle with addiction, a struggle that eventually
led to his untimely death at age 33.
'John wasn't John.
He was an addict,' Curtin revealed.
This darkness behind the scenes was something Curtin did her best to steer clear from.
After all, she was primarily focused on her career and the life she enjoyed with her family,
away from the show's partying atmosphere.
Belushi's capacity to party was legendary, but Curtin observed the dire toll it took
on him and others.
'John, obviously, he could party with the best of them, but the next day these guys
were just so miserable,' she said.
For Curtin, the thrilling 90-minute live show was enough excitement.
Everything else seemed self-indulgent and challenging.
Interestingly, Curtin's reflections on her time at 'SNL' also extended to watching the
show again.
With almost 50 years between her and the original episodes, she found them lacking humor.
'That really wasn't a very good show.
It was terrible!'
she exclaimed in a recent interview.
Regardless, she still holds fond memories of some skits, like Dan Aykroyd's uproarious
Bassomatic bit, which she says still manages to make her laugh.
She Fought With Lorne Michaels
Jane Curtin's tenure at 'Saturday Night Live' was, as we've already established, marked
by creativity, laughter, and and many memorable moments.
But behind the scenes, tensions were brewing, particularly between Curtin and the show's
creator, Lorne Michaels.
During a candid 2018 interview on 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,' Curtin opened
up about her complex relationship with Michaels, revealing some of the underlying friction
that characterized their working relationship.
The disagreements apparently reached a tipping point over John Belushi's increasingly concerning
behavior and drug use.
Curtin, worried for Belushi's well-being, approached Michaels for help, pleading, 'You’ve
got to do something.
This guy is going to die.'
Michaels' dismissive response led to a breakdown in communication between the two, and they
'stopped talking' altogether.
The rift became so pronounced that cast member Gilda Radner reportedly served as a go-between,
passing messages between Curtin and Michaels.
Despite the clash, time seems to have healed some wounds.
The 'Saturday Night Live' 40th anniversary party served as a turning point in their relationship.
Curtin was profoundly grateful to Michaels for allowing the event to happen, even going
so far as to thank him personally.
The event was more than just a celebration; it symbolized a gesture of goodwill that meant
a lot to the older cast members who no doubt shared more than a few fond memories together.
Reflecting on Michaels' actions, Curtin said, 'So Lorne was nice enough to do that for us,
and I appreciate it tremendously.
It meant so much to everybody that was there.
It was great.
It was one of the best nights ever.'
This statement can be seen as a potent reminder that even in the high-pressure world of entertainment,
forgiveness, and gratitude can foster healing and transformation.
More Behind The Scenes Secrets
Jane Curtin's insights into the world of comedy and her time on "Saturday Night Live" were
further revealed in a June 2019 interview with the Hollywood Reporter, providing a rare
glimpse at the inner workings of the industry, both then and now.
During her early years at SNL, Curtin found her strength in playing the straight person,
comfortable looking into the camera without feeling threatened.
Her ambition was simple, desiring only to contribute one thing to each show and not
having to fight for material.
An era marked by drugs, misogyny, and a lack of awareness of cultural appropriation, Curtin's
reflections in that interview painted a vivid picture of the time.
She recalled the blatant sexism in SNL, contrasting it with the equal treatment she received in
her improv group from Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The dismissal of the Equal Rights Amendment was shocking to her, as it showed the lack
of evolution in the culture at that time.
Curtin’s experience on "Kate & Allie" opened her eyes to the power of relatable storytelling.
Feedback from divorced men and women made her realize the impact the show was having
on people's lives.
This acknowledgement shifted her perception of the show from being hokey to something
meaningful and affirming.
From what we've gleaned from that interview, political satire, always a challenging art
form, seemed incredibly intense to Curtin during her early days with SNL, even though
she acknowledged it was especially tense during the Watergate era.
Whether reflecting on past sexist jokes, moments of cultural insensitivity, or the current
divide in the country, Curtin's candid revelations about the industry provided valuable insight
into the changes, challenges, and lingering issues that persisted in comedy and entertainment.
Her perspective as a veteran in the field provided a unique look behind the scenes,
and it was clear from what she chose to share with the Hollywood Reporter that her experiences
had shaped her into the thoughtful and grounded artist she was both then and now.
The Bill Murray/Chevy Chase Drama
Saturday Night Live has been on the air for nearly 50 years, and as we've already shown,
it's had its fair share of on-screen mishaps and behind-the-scenes woes . But according
to Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman, who both were part of Saturday Night Live's inaugural
cast, one of the worst fights in the history of the show was in those early years.
As we covered briefly, Curtin and Newman appeared on an episode of the talk program Watch What
Happens Live in 2018, discussing all things SNL with host Andy Cohen.
The conversation took a serious turn when a fan phoned in to inquire about a notirous
1978 fight between SNL co-stars Chevy Chase and Bill Murray that Newman, Curtin, and fellow
co-star Gilda Radner were there to wintness.
The brawl was subsequently described by Newman as "very sad and painful and awful."
A Clash of "Two Bull Mooses
The tension between Bill Murray and hevy Chase began to escalate when Chase, who had left
SNL in February 1978—on apparently not such excellent terms—returned later that year
to guest host.
Evidently, some regular cast members were not very pleasedto see Chase coming back in
the coveted star spot.
Curtin described the atmosphere as resembling a tense family gathering, telling the WWHL
audience that the situation was "uncomfortable."
While most of the cast chose to let the tension simmer just below the surface, Bill Murray—who
had been lassoed onto SNL to replace Chase—confronted it head-on.
"There were these two bull mooses going at each other, so the testosterone was surging...and
stuff happens," Curtin shared.
Newman added insight into the painful exchange, noting that both individuals knew exactly
what to say to hurt the other the most.
The physical fight, involving even John Belushi at one point, ended up in Belushi's dressing
room and was short-lived, but the harsh words exchanged and the emotions behind them left
an enduring mark.
Murray and Chase Have Somewhat Made Up
Years later, Murray and Chase worked together in the 1980 hit movie Caddyshack, and their
relationship continued to improve gradually.
In various interviews, both comedians have reflected on the fight, with Chase partially
blaming John Belushi for instigating the feud and Murray describing the incident as a "Hollywood
fight, a 'Don't touch my face!'
kind of thing."
Over time, the relationship between Murray and Chase has mellowed, with Chase even admitting
in a 2008 interview with Howard Stern that they had become "very friendly" and often
played golf together.
Their reconciliation, slow and complex as it may have been, offers a glance into the
often complicated dynamics and rivalries behind the scenes of one of television's most enduring
and influential comedy shows.
Curtin's perspective on this notorious incident, shared alongside Newman, adds a thoughtful
touch of understanding to the human emotions and professional pressures that shaped this
historic moment in SNL's storied history.
The revelations by Jane Curtin about the backstage world of "Saturday Night Live" have certainly
shed new light on the dynamics of those early years.
From the intense clash between Chevy Chase and Bill Murray to her complex relationships
with John Belushi and Michael Lorne, her insights offer a rare and fascinating peek into the
inner workings of a television institution.
What did you find most surprising about Curtin's recollections?
Are there other classic SNL moments you're curious to learn more about?
Join in the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments section down below.
We're excited to hear from you!
And as always, thanks for watching!