September 24, 2011

September 24, 2011  Season 37 episode
Episode	703
Season Episode	1
Host	Alec Baldwin
Musical Guest(s)	Radiohead
Song(s) performed by  Musical Guest(s)	"Lotus Flower" "Staircase"

Previous Episode May 21, 2011 (Season 36)

Next Episode October 1, 2011

The 703rd episode of Saturday Night Live and the season premiere of Season 37, hosted by comedian and actor Alec Baldwin, and the musical guest being Radiohead, who performed "Lotus Flower" and "Staircase". It premiered on September 24, 2011. This was Alec Baldwin's 16th time hosting, thus beating out Steve Martin as the most frequent host.

The last time Radiohead was the musical guest was on October 14, 2000, the second episode of Season 26 with actress Kate Hudson as the host. This was also the 2nd time as musical guest on SNL for Radiohead.

Alec Baldwin's goodnights speech is Thanks to Radiohead, Steve Martin, and Seth Rogen! (Cheers and applause). [as the credits roll, Baldwin holds up a sign that reads "She's My Carla!"]

Cast

Repertory Players

• Fred Armisen
• Abby Elliott
• Bill Hader
• Seth Meyers
• Bobby Moynihan
• Nasim Pedrad
• Andy Samberg
• Jason Sudeikis
• Kenan Thompson
• Kristen Wiig

Featured Players

• Vanessa Bayer
• Paul Brittain
• Taran Killam
• Jay Pharoah

Cameos by Steve Martin and Seth Rogen

Vocal cameo by Jon Hamm

Onscreen appearance by then-writing supervisor/future cast member Colin Jost

Sketches and Music Performances

Title	Image	Summary
Either The 7th Or 8th GOP Debate		Mitt Romney (Jason Sudeikis) & Rick Perry (Alec Baldwin) get top billing at GOP debate.
Opening Montage		The opening montage is the same as in the two previous seasons, and it was unchanged as everyone from the previous year returned, and Nasim Pedrad being upgraded to a repertory player.
Alec Baldwin Monologue		Drug test certifies Alec Baldwin’s 16th SNL gig; Steve Martin & Seth Rogen cameo.
Red Flag		a whiff of warning pervades (Kristen Wiig)’s perfume & background.
"All My Children" Wrap Party		Melodramatic crew members reveal secrets at All My Children wrap party.
WDHX Channel 19		satellite delay impedes warning TV reporter (Kristen Wiig) of rain forest animals.
Radiohead performs "Lotus Flower.
Weekend Update with Seth Meyers		Tony Bennett (Alec Baldwin)'s cinema commentary drifts to long-ago stars & movies.
Who's On Top?		Game show contestants mull hypothetical gay male couplings.
Top Gun 25th Anniversary DVD		Top Gun DVD extras include unsuccessful screen tests. Onscreen appearance by then-writing supervisor Colin Jost.
Child Psychologist		child psychologist (Alec Baldwin)'s daughter (Nasim Pedrad) tests theories & a person (Vanessa Bayer)’s will.
Radiohead performs "Staircase."
Angels in the Trenches		A man (Taran Killam) fields mortally-wounded soldiers’ final message delivery requests.
Goodnights		Alec Baldwin thanked Radiohead, Steve Martin, and Seth Rogen. As the credits roll, Baldwin holds up a sign that reads "She's My Carla!".

Notes/Trivia

• As of the broadcast, Baldwin attains the record of most frequent host, formerly shared between him and Steve Martin, with sixteen times hosting. Also, this is Baldwin's first time hosting a season premiere, and has joined Martin in becoming one of two men to host a season premiere, finale and a Christmas episode.
• Steve Martin and Seth Rogen appeared in the opening monologue.
• Clive Deamer played drums and percussion for both of Radiohead's performances.
• This marked the first episode for Chris Kelly, Zach Kanin, and Peter Schultz as writers on SNL.
  • Also, Sarah Schneider was added to the writing staff, after serving as a guest writer for the last episodes of the previous season.
  • Schultz was mainly hired as a writer for Weekend Update.
• Lastly, writers Erik Kenward (a longtime writer since 2000) and John Mulaney (who was hired as a writer in 2008, and was a writing supervisor from 2009-2011) are named as producers of the show.

Preceded by: May 21, 2011 (Season 36)

Saturday Night Live episode

Followed by: October 1, 2011