Banned by 'SNL'! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Steven Seagal

'SNL' staff and crew have said that Seagal contributed no good ideas for his sketches, that he "just wasn't funny" and berated the talents of the cast and writers.
'Under Siege' was Seagal's biggest hit movie. Following a couple of less successful features, he's appeared mostly in direct-to-video thrillers. He's also appeared in two seasons of 'Steven Seagal: Lawman' a pseudo-reality TV show based on Seagal's experiences as a reserve deputy in Louisiana and Arizona.

Answer: Adrien Brody

You'd think the producers of a TV show that's broadcast live with no chance for a redo would love unscripted improvisation, but such is not the case with 'Saturday Night Live'. The show is live but but it's definitely scripted and Lorne Michaels has a long history of disapproving when performers wander off-script.

Answer: Milton Berle

Berle hijacked his appearance on 'SNL'. He rewrote sketches, inserted his own scripts, upstaged the cast regulars and mugged to the camera. He even went behind producers' backs to end the show with a maudlin rendition of 'September Song' complete with a staged standing ovation.

A staff writer likened the experience to "watching a comedy train accident in slow motion". Mr. Television was never invited back.

Answer: Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello and the Attractions were scheduled to play 'Less Than Zero'. A few notes into the song, Costello shouted "Stop! I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen, there's no reason to do this song here." The band then played 'Radio, Radio' a new song considered controversial because it dealt with the commercialization of the airwaves. Costello's disobedience proved to be a boost to sales of his records. 'SNL' and Costello have joked about the episode on his subsequent appearances.

Answer: Robert Blake

During a rehearsal, Blake crumpled his script and threw it in the face of cast member Gary Kroeger. Some 'SNL' cast and crew members take exception to Lorne Michaels' naming Steven Seagal the "worst host ever" and prefer to give that honor to Blake. All this was several years before the former Little Rascal was accused of killing his wife!

Answer: Sinead O'Connor

O'Connor had held a photo of a child refugee in dress rehearsal so the camera zoomed close during the performance giving the audience (whose reaction could define "stunned silence") the full effect of the singer's act of protest. A few weeks later, Jan Hooks imitated O'Connor in a sketch titled "Sinead O'Connor Goodtime Happy Jamboree".

Answer: Lawrence

In reruns and syndication, Lawrence's monologue is replaced by cue cards describing it as "a frank and lively presentation" that "nearly cost us all our jobs". Lawrence's career doesn't seem to have suffered greatly from the ban by 'SNL'. He has gone on to star in movies such as 'Big Momma's House', 'National Security' and 'Wild Hogs'.

Answer: Frank Zappa

'SNL' writer Don Novello (Father Guido Sarducci) called Zappa "one of the worst" hosts. In retrospect, trying to mix Zappa and television probably wasn't advisable. Unlike Elvis Costello, Zappa wasn't un-banned and never appeared again prior to his death in 1993.

Answer: Andy Kaufman

Kaufman was one of the most enigmatic performers in show business. Many of his classic bits are revered by comics. But he often went off on tangents that were inexplicable to much of the audience (such as his wrestling career in which he wrestled against women). Andy died of lung cancer in 1984 - or did he? Some people think his death was a gag and still expect him to show up again any day.

Answer: Chevy Chase

Chase is the first former cast member to be banned from hosting 'SNL'. During his numerous appearances, he allegedly berated cast members and writers and suggested embarrassing and inappropriate sketches. One idea he's credited with was having openly gay cast member Terry Sweeney play an AIDS patient. Lorne Michaels had enough when the cast reported the Oteri incident. Chase has made several cameo appearances since that time, but hasn't hosted the show again.