At the beginning of the SNL's third season (1977-78 ), the producers of the show held an "Anyone Can Host" contest. The rules were fairly simple: write a statement of 25 words or less stating why you wanted to host Saturday Night Live and mail it on a postcard to 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Out of 150,000 entries five finalists were chosen: a German immigrant grandmother from New Orleans, an unemployed twentysomething from Oregon, a freshman at Vassar, a housewife from Peoria, IL, and the Governor of South Dakota. After stating their case on network television (with the assistance of frequent host Buck Henry), America made its pick and chose... Mrs. Miskel Spillman, the grandmother. Where Spillman became a footnote in television history, the other four finalists went back to their regular daily lives.

Fast forward 31 years. That hot late night sketch comedy show from the late '70s has become a cultural institution several times over. Fans of all ages chat about SNL in forums and discussion boards not unlike this one. One day about two months ago, one of the five "Anyone Can Host" finalists resurfaced in our forum, promoting a project called "Letters to Lorne." It was David Lewis, the man Henry dubbed an "unemployed dropout" on network television, the young man in the "C" sweater. A few days ago, I had a pleasure of interviewing Lewis via e-mail, where he gave me a unique insight into the inner workings of SNL during the heyday of Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Gilda Radner et al.

HelloStuart: What possessed you to enter the contest?

David Lewis: Prophetic word choice. At the time I had just returned from a year and a half in Europe which had started out studying, but soon turned into an ongoing improvisation which resulted in writing a number of short stories. Being in transition allowed time for another self imposed production goal. This is elaborated in greater detail in some of the earlier letters. The logic back then, as with the current project, which is in effect an extension of the initial campaign, was that making the effort in itself would provide a positive experience, regardless of the outcome. It was like here was a rare chance to crash the party going on inside this video box we had grown addicted to. But I wanted more than just a few crumbs, or even the whole cake, more like getting inside the kitchen and redefining eating habits. There may not have been any duplicate record of what was typed onto each postcard. While there may be a certain curiosity to reread them, some may be best forgotten. Wouldn't you have entered?

HS: Most certainly. How were you notified about being a finalist?

DL: A few weeks after the deadline for sending the postcards, having somewhat concluded that nothing was going to come of it, there was a call from Barbara Burns, the talent coordinator, informing that I was one of the fifty finalists. She asked a few questions, none of which I can remember, but after hanging up, lots came to mind as to what I could have said. It felt like I had blown it. But after a few days, there was another call to say I was one of the five finalists, asking how soon I could fly out there from Oregon..

HS: What was it like meeting the cast and Buck Henry, what was the atmosphere like at the time?

DL: We were introduced to so many people, yet with the realization of being there in the first place still sinking in, much of it was a blur. Everyone was very nice, especially Buck, who seemed to be doing his best to make us feel comfortable. If you were ever part of a theatrical production, then you might have something to go on in gaining a grasp of everything that was going on at once. Preparing a performance within a highly compressed time frame. Sketches rewritten as they are rehearsed, ideas popping up as inspiration strikes, everyone free to contribute, myself included. If there was stress, it didn't surface. Probably because most of the people there are among the best in their field. Later in the week, once things have taken a more definitive form, the blocking-in process involves tape marks on the floor to know exactly where to stand and which way to face the camera. Despite the intensity required, the vibe was generally cool, like each person knew what to do and where they needed to be.

Meeting people who you have previously seen perform needn't be much different than with anyone else. Much depends on circumstance, the cast stayed pretty busy. Laraine was even hotter in person. There was a Conehead sketch, which was later cut, where she was in a punk rock band, at the end eating the drum cymbals, which were made from chocolate. Bill Murray was still the new guy, Chevy's replacement, someone made a comment that I was out to take his job. Belushi was actually a sensitive guy, but he put on a brash exterior. We were dressed up in killer bee costumes for a Newsweek photo when he started getting on our case. I told him,'we want your honey'. Some reporter from another magazine wrote it up like I had gotten in the last word, but we were just messing with each other.

At one point, while Art Garfunkel was hanging out, I complemented him on a somewhat recent hit, "Second Avenue." He asked me if I had ever lived on 2nd Avenue. Although I had not, I explained that when the song was getting more air time, I was in college living in dreary accommodation somewhat similar to his lyric. It's understandable how a singer could come off as aloof when some total stranger seems to already know a part of you via your art.. Someone offered to introduce me to Paul Simon, but not knowing what to say, I let the opportunity pass. Ray Charles had hosted the previous week, many were still talking about what a clas act he was.

HS: What were your thoughts regarding the other finalists? I've heard that Mrs. Spillman was a real cut-up.

DL: She was a prime example of many who are past retirement age, yet so full of life, rich with wisdom and experience. The Governor was a great guy, picking up the tab when we went out. Nothing much stands out in my mind about the Vassar coed that I would care to reveal. All I can remember about the housewife is that she did not seem to be the happiest person.

HS: How did you react when Mrs. Spillman won? Was there anything you would've done differently to have helped your chances?

DL: By the end of the show, it was obvious who the sentimental favorite was, so when they called to tell me she won, it came as no surprise. Maybe they said I was runner up just to make me feel better. I had some spontaneous interaction with some of the audience during the closing credits, which may not have even aired. The fact of appearing in front of millions of viewers was not given much thought, if at all. Follow the cues, read your lines, get it down so you could relax and have fun with it, a performance like any other. Even if I had taken a chance by ignoring the cue cards and improvising, it wouldn't have changed the outcome and may even have hurt my chances.. The next day, people recognized me in Central Park, I even signed a few autographs. They didn't know me, but they had seen me perform...

HS: What have you been up to post-SNL? You mentioned working in the singing telegram industry in your letters, and the photos on your website are decidedly flamboyant.

DL: The letters started out as a way to bring Lorne up to date as to what has gone down since we last worked together, a mere sampling of some of the past craziness and an even greater madness the future could bring, flamboyant with a big F. Inserting reference numbers to letters that expand on certain topics might help, but this doesn't follow encyclopedia format.

HS: Are you still in touch with the two other surviving finalists?

DL: It wasn't that much of a bonding experience, although I did visit Mrs. Spillman the following year when my brother was going to school in New Orleans. By the time I made it to South Dakota, over two decades had gone by. Am I to be considered a survivor? When the next one goes, would that mean the majority are gone? Perhaps you weren't even born yet back then, but as a result of this experience, we share a common bond through our interest in the show. (Ed. Note: Governor Kneip passed away in 1987, Mrs. Spillman in 1992. I was born in 1984, seven years after the contest was held.)

HS: Tell me more about your "Letters to Lorne" project. I like how each letter seems to have its own distinctive design and rhythm.

DL: Thank-you for your questions and perceptive observation. You have helped add yet another dimension to the project. Some are more gifted than others.. If there is one thing I could bring to the show, it would be a hunger to constantly reinvent. Who knows what sort of impact I might have, but if Lorne is willing to take a chance on me, it would at least shake things up.

There will always be criticism no matter what. While responding to it could be too much fun, doing so would only be worth it if the effort met multiple objectives. Maybe it's better that things have worked out the way they have. If I had won, it could have been one of the most memorable shows ever, which may have led to further opportunity, yet the experience lived since then has served as preparation to better benefit should such as opening present itself. Like I have been preserved inside an emergency compartment, awaiting the right time. Once Lorne chooses to break away the glass, that needn't imply there is anything wrong, it would be more an indication of what is right.

HS: Thank you for your time.

If you want to see David Lewis' work in progress, check out his writings at http://dwdiamond.com/. Mr. Lewis' appearance on SNL can be found on Disc 2 of the Complete Third Season DVD set, in stores now.

Yes, I'm back. For the third summer in a row, I'm here to answer questions and give updates during SNL's offseason. It's been a slow summer so far, but I'm sure things will pick up pretty soon.

The big story so far has been the breakdown of Screen Actors Guild negotiations, a situation that could affect the beginning of SNL's 34th season in September (yes, September). As it stands, this could be the shortest summer the show's ever had, or the second longest. For more news on a possible strike, check out the lovely SNL forum; thecomedianky started a thread earlier and I made it sticky shortly after.

In terms of transitions and transactions on the show, I have heard rumors (albeit unconfirmed) that Charlie Grandy is stepping down as producer of Weekend Update. Otherwise, it looks like the cast will essentially stay the same, in spite of Amy Poehler going on maternity leave. Promoting Casey Rose Wilson to repertory status is not out of the question, however.

As for SNL personnel past and present at the movies, make sure to check out "The Love Guru" (starring Mike Myers), "You Don't Mess with the Zohan" (Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Kevin Nealon, Robert Smigel, and a cameo by Chris Rock), "Get Smart" (Bill Murray, David Koechner, and Kevin Nealon; exec-produced by Buck Henry), "The Rocker" (Fred Armisen and Jason Sudeikis), "Meet Dave" (Eddie Murphy), "Pineapple Express" (Bill Hader and Nora Dunn), "Step Brothers" (Will Ferrell and Rob Riggle), "Space Chimps" (the voices of Andy Samberg and Kenan Thompson) and "Ghost Town" (Kristen Wiig) sometime this summer.

Stay tuned for another update in two weeks!

Hey guys,

Over the last couple of weeks, I've read various requests, either in the SNL forum or though private messaging, suggesting that I should revive the SNL Column. After all, we are in an off-season, one that wasn't necessarily scheduled but still presents an extended period of time without new shows. It seemed like a novel idea, but there was one drawback- there hasn't been any SNL news since the strike started two months ago.

With the WGA work stoppage entering its third month, very little is certain. It would be safe to assume that the show will return with its current cast and writing staff intact, but when will that happen? Will the producers re-hire all the essential staffers that were sacked just before Thanksgiving? Most importantly, is Lorne Michaels really supporting the writers?

On a different note, some of you are wondering why Year 32 episodes haven't aired on E!, but there is a motive to the madness. It took me awhile to put two and two together, but then I was chatting with Daniel (aka thecomedianky) and I had an epiphany: NBC was going to need those episodes in the event of a strike. Besides, why would anyone watch the edits on E! if they can get the full version on NBC? That was a strange move, but a smart decision in retrospect.

In the meantime, I've been watching the Season 2 DVD set, which I bought with my Christmas money. I've also been working and mailing out resumes, but what I've seen so far has been alright; I say that because I haven't gotten to the "money" episodes yet (both Buck Henry shows, both Steve Martin shows, both Eric Idle shows, and of course the Candice Bergen broadcast). Admittedly, the first part of the season is a continuation of Year 1 (Chevy Chase's smugness dominates), but I'm well aware that the cast really hit its stride after Bill Murray arrived.

If anyone has any comments or questions, feel free to post below or send me an e-mail at sma17kc@aim.com.

Later, Stu

This is my final SNL column for the 2007 off-season ("summer," if you will), so I just wanted to reiterate a few points:

+ Last year's cast is returning intact, the first time that's happened since 1988. No wait, Maya left. Hold on, she's back. Never mind, she's...

+ Seth Rogen will host on October 6th with musical guest Spoon.

+ Jon Bon Jovi (WTF?) will host on October 13th with musical guest Foo Fighters.

+ If any changes have been made over the summer, it's been mostly cosmetic. Judging from last night's promo, they altered the backdrops ever-so-slightly, but you'll have to see it for yourself.

+ This will be my fifth full season of writing episode reviews, so make sure to send me your thoughts and opinions. I'm also a regular in the SNL forum if you ever want to chat.

Have a good season, everyone!

Sorry for the one-week delay guys, but with all the will-she-or-won't-she tension, we can now confirm from nbcumv.com that Kanye West will be bumped up one week and that Rilo Kiley will be a musical guest sometime later in the season. At first, it seemed like Amy Winehouse would make it after all, but it turned out to be an error on the part of NBC's multimedia staff. Still no word on who will now be the musical guest on October 6th.

For those of you who hadn't heard, the most underreported celebrity scandal of the summer (or was it summer '06?) has finally reached a head. Last week, ex-cast member Tony Rosato was found guilty of criminal harassment, and he will now spend at least two years in a mental health facility. The decision in the case may or may not have been rushed by his appearance on the stand the day before; Rosato went on a bizarre tirade where the subject meandered from devil worship to incest and blackmail. SNL's only Italian-born cast member may not be the first to have legal trouble, but his downfall stands as a cautionary tale about a gift wasted by excess.

In two weeks: my final SNL column of the offseason, with (fingers crossed) new information on the coming season.