SNL Hosts Who Bombed Big Time

For more than 30 years, "SNL" has adhered strictly to a reliable format and formula: cold open, monologue, sketches, musical performance, "Weekend Update," more sketches, another musical performance, another sketch, and then guest host and audience waving goodnight. It's so tried and true that it's startling or even disconcerting when "SNL" gets experimental, like it

For more than 30 years, "SNL" has adhered strictly to a reliable format and formula: cold open, monologue, sketches, musical performance, "Weekend Update," more sketches, another musical performance, another sketch, and then guest host and audience waving goodnight. It's so tried and true that it's startling or even disconcerting when "SNL" gets experimental, like it in March 1986 when Francis Ford Coppola guest hosted the show. In the episode, which Vulture called "the weirdest episode of the weirdest season of 'Saturday Night Live,'" the legendary "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now" really just played along with the overarching conceit that his hosting duties consisted of directing the program.

First, the regular opening credits were dropped in favor of a new package that was stark and serious with a score by experimental composer Philip Glass (also the night's musical guest). Coppola left his acting duties to special guest George Wendt. Coppola did appear on the show, but only to butt into the sketches to offer direction. At one point, cast members Nora Dunn and Robert Downey Jr. even popped up as critics who praised Coppola's efforts. Never again did "SNL" attempt such a large-scale overhaul, nor have Coppola or Glass ever returned to the show.

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