Paul Shaffer Recalls Being First Person to Say ‘F—‘ on ‘SNL’

Keyboardist Paul Shaffer has a doubtful place in Saturday Night time Dwell historical past, having been the primary individual to say “fuck” stay on the air.

The musician joined SNL’s home band in 1975 and balanced his involvement within the present whereas additionally engaged on varied music tasks. It was 1980 when he by chance cursed on air, and he recalled the expertise throughout a current look on the Kenny Aronoff Periods podcast.

“It was an absolute mistake as a result of it was a bit of improv,” Shaffer defined, including that he was “not proud” of his profanity.

Shaffer often appeared in sketches, and on this case he was appearing alongside Invoice Murray and John Belushi (making a visitor look) in a skit based mostly on the English rock band the Troggs. In a bootlegged recording, the group was heard comically arguing over tips on how to report their sophomore album. Saturday Night time Dwell’s writers thought it’d be humorous to reimagine the dialog, however “make it a medieval band rehearsing for the king about to do a live performance for the king.”

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The unique Troggs tape had been crammed with profanity, so naturally it was rewritten for SNL. For instance, Shaffer would saying issues like “you had the flogging beat” as an alternative of “you had the fucking beat.” Not less than, that was the plan.

How Did Paul Shaffer Slip Up?

“I used to be getting large laughs and [Al] Franken within the center between gown and air stated, ‘You are doing so effectively with these floggings. If you wish to add just a few extra, be my visitor,’” Shaffer recalled. “Effectively, he should not have stated that as a result of I received free. I used to be saying the flogging this and the flogging that. After which I slipped, and I stated, ‘the fucking beat.’”

Shaffer realized his mistake the second it occurred.

“My face went white. I’ve seen the tape. Simply, ‘Oh my God, what have I executed?” he confessed. “I believed, my profession’s over.”

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Shaffer anticipated to be disciplined – or worse, fired – for his slip up. Nevertheless, the SNL crew was supportive.

“Laraine Newman stated… ‘Effectively, you simply made broadcasting historical past,’” the musician famous. “And when Lorne Michaels came to visit, he stated, ‘Effectively, you simply broke down the final barrier.’ They knew I did not do it on goal.”

Shaffer departed Saturday Night time Dwell on the finish of season 5. He went on to take pleasure in a long term as David Letterman’s bandleader and sidekick.