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Private Notes
Sketches include: Space shuttle "launch", The Gable News Network, D.T. The Shaky Terrestrial, NNTN Yellow Paper, Next month on HBO
What do you call the un-popped kernels in a popcorn cooker? Flopcorn, of course! What's the latest ford? The NNTN comedy team tackles the dictionary along with the news in this show.
In just 30 side-splitting minutes, the NNTN cast tarnishes 75 years of Hollywood glitter. Movieland's most sacred cows are milked for laughs, from Oscars to moguls.
The irreverent NNTN news team takes it's annual swipe at the fall TV season, spoofing the network's new line-ups. Uninhibited and uncensored, the show scores some real bulls-eyes
Get a laugh lowdown on election-year follies in this extra edition of HBO's comedy series.
Grabbing the torch and running with it, the Not Necessarily the News team aims it's zingers at the '84 Olympics, the training, competition and even the L.A. traffic.
Sketches include: Coming Attractions, Micki and Maude and Bob and Carol..., Footless (formerly "Splashdance"), French Lieutenant's Woman Gum, Cotton Club II, Celebrity Station Identification, The Big Chill VI, Beverly Hills Resident & At The Movies
Accurate, Bold, Incisive, Responsible
Tied Up. Group W Cable
News that's explosive
Sketches include: Hearing Impaired, The Wonderful World of TV, Bottles & James, The Joan Rivers Show, The November Evening News, Hollywood Law & The Oprah Donahue Show.
With Harry Shearer
Promo for the August reunion show.
This is the first regular episode with the familiar original cast (Anne Bloom, Danny Breen, Rich Hall, Mitchell Laurance, Audrie Neenan & Stuart Pankin). This episode introduces several popular features of the show including: sight gags in the lavatory, highway slapstick with background music, funny footage with politicians and the introduction of SNIGLETS (Words that should be in the dictionary but aren't). Audrie Neenan introduces her news anchor character Jacqueline Pennel, and Stuart Pankin introduces his character, the chief anchorman of NNTN; Bob Charles. Additionally, Stuart does his first skit as "Lenny Slatkin", the president's joke writer.
Includes several wacky things, such as; "Those Healing Bloopers", Crowded Hospitals, funny politically dubbed footage from a B movie called "Tennessee's Partner" starring Ronald Reagan & A spoof of the mini-series "The Winds Of War." This was first broadcast in February, 1983; FOOTNOTE: "Roll On Down The Highway" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive and "Whammer Jammer (Live)" by The J. Geils Band appear in the gag sequences on this episode.
This one is the third in the series, first telecast in March, 1983. There are plenty of gags featuring politicians like Richard Nixon, Tip O'Neill and of course; Ronald Reagan. Also included are "Sniglets" (a regular feature of the show). Series regulars were Anne Bloom, Danny Breen, Rich Hall, Mitchell Laurance, Audrie Neenan, & Stuart Pankin. FOOTNOTE: During the gag sequence where President Reagan is swimming and the secret service bumble around, the music playing is "I'll Just Pick" by The Dregs. This track is included on their 1981 album "Unsung Heroes." and yes, they were formerly called The Dixie Dregs (The same exact band led by guitarist Steve Morse).
This one is the 4th episode; originally broadcast in April, 1983. As usual, there are plenty of gags (some featuring cardboard motorcycle cops). There is also a running gag showing 2 young lovers running towards each other on the shore and never quite following through. Audrie Neenan introduces her tough-as-nails anti-environmentalist "Dioxin Dolly" on this episode. There's also some airplane humor as well. Unofficial regular cast member-writer Ron Richards appears as the frightened man on the plane. Finally, there are 2 unusual things about the episode: First, Stuart Pankin does not portray his iconic character Bob Charles on the episode (at least, on camera), and most surprisingly there are no SNIGLETS presented on the episode either. However, each regular cast member has their fair share of time.
This is the 5th episode of the series, first broadcast in May, 1983. Stuart Pankin plays an airline pilot as if he were a cab driver, and there are some funny SNIGLETS on this one. More footage from NNTN's favorite Reagan movie (Tennessee's Partner) and one of the funniest press conferences of the whole series. This episode is from my personal collection and is one of my favorites. Series regulars are: Anne Bloom, Danny Breen, Rich Hall, Mitchell Laurance, Audrie Neenan & Stuart Pankin.
This one was first broadcast in June, 1983. There are funny gimmicks featuring religious and political figures of the early 1980's. I have always considered the true star of this series to be President Ronald Reagan. This episode includes a funny little bit about Margaret Thatcher, At least 3 airline gags, a retrograde satire set to a song by Peter Allen, and a hilarious sketch where Danny Breen auditions to be a Richard Nixon impersonator. Series Regulars are: Anne Bloom, Danny Breen, Rich Hall, Mitchell Laurance, Audrie Neenan and Stuart Pankin. This was the 6th episode of the series and it is still funny today. FOOTNOTE: The music playing while Anne Bloom flirts with President Reagan on the shore is "Broad Street Strut" by The Dixie Dregs, from their 1980 album "Dregs Of The Earth."
This one is the 7th episode and was first broadcast in July, 1983. "The Big News" is a sketch with Audrie Neenan as Jacqueline Pennell experiencing constant sound problems. She tries to talk to Zbigniew Brzezinski, Ted Kennedy and Bob Charles (Stuart Pankin), and nobody can hear her. There's also some beach comedy on this episode, Tip O'Neill "Record Album" offer. Most notably, the Ronald Regan B-Movie western "Tennessee's Partner" (1955) appears twice on the episode; The first time, Rich Hall overdubs a dirty old gold prospector while Reagan's dialogue is left alone, and later, Audrie Neenan overdubs Rhonda Fleming and doing her last line in the scene verbatim. All the while, Ronnie's dialogue is left alone and he is made to look like a hilarious villain. FOOTNOTE: The music playing when the ATM machine grows legs and runs away is "I Know A Little" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, from their 1977 album "Street Survivors."
In this uncut original episode that HBO refused to air becuase of male nudity and slams at the U.N. {The ONLY time HBO has ever pulled an episode} Rich picks up up a hooker that turns out to be his long lost daughter
Sketches include: Alan Cranston medical checkup, The New Mob, The 24 Hour News Channel, Ed Budgewood's Press Box & The Phone Clinic
It was produced right after Reagan's Secretary of the Interior James Watt got fired for controversial remarks he made publicly (some of which are at the cold open of this episode). James Watt's swan song aside, There are some super hilarious moments on this one. Check out the Mr. T Emporium commercial. Anne Bloom does a hilarious spoof of a People Magazine ad, Audrie Neenan's Jacqueline Pennell does a riveting report on the missing Peace Doves at the UN, Ronald Reagan has some grisly fun disposing of colleagues during an approaching storm, There are some cool Sniglets, and last but not least, A brilliant spoof called "The Presidential Awards" which absolutely nails the absurdity of the Oscars and just a small bit of political bias- watch and you'll see. The series regulars at the time were Anne Bloom, Danny Breen, Rich Hall, Mitchell Laurance, Audrie Neenan and Stuart Pankin. The episode was first broadcast in October, 1983.
Sketches include: Former E.P.A. Administrator on toxic waste, there's only one way to play a trombone, Jerry Farwell,
An hour long special edition, the Not Necessarily the News team takes a typically irreverent look back in 1983. Nothing is sacred and everything is fair game for the news-breakers of the hit comedy series that the New York Daily News called "The funniest show on television"
Rich gets plastic surgeary, but his doctors fear he has gotten cancer from the plastic. Meanwhile, Stuart and Melanie have a flashback of there mystery past.
Included here are some "Sniglets" for a ski trip, Very, very early election coverage, a game show spoof called: "Beat The Diplomat," and a commercial for outrageous blooper shows. The regular cast of this classic HBO comedy show on this episode included: Anne Bloom, Danny Breen, Rich Hall, Mitchell Laurance, Audrie Neenan and Stuart Pankin. FOOTNOTE: The music playing after Rich Hall turns down the 5 dollar tire-stacking job is the instrumental portion of "Going Back To Miami" by The Blues Brothers.
Sketches include: Vote for Koppel/Donahue, 1984 Winter Olympics, Beat the Diplomat, Election '84, AT&T & The United States Mint
They poke fun at the Michael Jackson pepsi commercial accident by selling a charcoal lighter. Rich Hall gives some ski tips which almost look informative. Audrie Neenan's character Jacqueline Pennell is quite busy on this one. First, she does a report on the "Boy George School for Boys:" and later, she conducts a hilarious interview with Ronald Reagan. Be sure to see the "Ear Waker" commercial. The series regulars at this time consisted of Anne Bloom, Danny Breen, Rich Hall, Mitchell Laurance, Audrie Neenan and Stuart Pankin. FOOTNOTE: The music playing when the Pope turns into Anne Bloom is "Middle Of The Road" by the Pretenders. Later during the car wash gag, the music is the 12 inch dance mix of "Say It Isn't So" by Daryl Hall & John Oates.
There are plenty of gags on this one. This episode introduces the "Royal Screw Award" to dignitaries performing dubious achievements (Similar to the 'Fickle Finger Of Fate' award from Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, and to me, more reminiscent of Keith Olbermann's "Worst Persons" segment from MSNBC's Countdown). Also included is the first installment of the soap opera parody: "Days Of The News." Finally, there is a riotous tribute to Caspar Weinberger at the end of the show. FOOTNOTE: Rich Hall displays the first "SNIGLETS" book on camera during a routine sniglets segment. The display is essentially a plug for the book, which was released in April, 1984, the very same month the episode was first broadcast.
With special guest star Konstantin Chernenko. Sketches Include: Regan breaking ground, Spike Jones and the Temple of Doom, NNTN 4:00 Report, Lebanon-where every day is the 4th of July, X-Ray Glasses, Kremlins, Hungry Man Fish Logs, National Inquirer & School Sniglets
Micheal and Annabelle begin having a steady relationship, little does Micheal know, that Annabelle and Stuart are having a wild affair in this unuasally poined episode.
Sketches include: Bob Guccione publishes more photos of Geraldine Ferraro, The Invisible Man Show, News Breakin', Erase-A-Blunder, Oxygen Man, Millionaire Beer & Summer Sniglets
Sketches include: Mondale & Ferraro, PZA Videodisc, NTV News Television, The New Mod Squad, Pain Greater, ESPN, Washington Confidential with Steve Casper, Olympic Update, Mrs, Hall's Frozen Toast, Grossbusters, IBM & Star Trek IV: The Fire at Paramount
Sketches include: Borrow from Zaccaro, Christina's World, The Death Penalty, Secure Deodorant, The Divorce Tape, Sunken Toilet Emporium, Marcel Marceau Live album, Revenge of the Nerds, BIX Disposable Computers, Recall 400, AT&T & The 1984 Miss Islam Pageant.
Sketches include: Who Me? A Scott Free Production, I want to direct, Windsor: The Legend of Charles Prince of Whales, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter Part II, Corporal Punishment, Splash II: The Mothe-In-Law, Bring Back Dick, Firing Line, Ramblin' Fever & House of Ushers,
Sketches include: Regan bombarded with questions, Mondale Debates Mondale, Win a Buck, Henry Fonda Workout, America's Fowl-Ups & I Want my NBC
The zany news breakers recall the major events of 1984 in this special year-end edition of the hit comedy series. All-new sketches are combines with actual news footage to cast new light on the significant events of the past year.
Special Appearance: Rich Hall Sketches include: Regan's hearing, Prince Spaghetti, Murder She Says, Tonight on PBS, Meister Brau, Death Wish: The Concept, Alka Seltzer, Royal Screw Award, Poverty Coins & America's Funniest Fowl-Ups.
The episode was produced right after President Ronald Reagan was inaugurated in his second term in office. The series regulars at the time were Anne Bloom, Danny Breen, Mitchell Laurance, Stuart Pankin & Lucy Webb. Additionally, when he had the time, Rich Hall would show up to talk about new "Sniglets."
At this point in the series Rich Hall was not a series regular, he just showed up for SNIGLETS updates. Also, Lucy Webb had replaced Audrie Neenan as a regular roughly 8 months before this episode broadcast. Lucy's anchorwoman character was acclaimed news journalist "Helen St. Thomas." This episode has several memorable gags such as when the british sound tech gets mad at the Pope for banging on the microphone, Bob Charles on vacation and some actual footage of President Ronald Reagan during the 1984 presidential debate where he makes basically NO sense while discussing American taxes. The footage is presented unaltered as a parody of H&R Block. As the old saying goes: You can't make this stuff up. FOOTNOTE: "Easy Lover" by Philip Bailey & Phil Collins, and "I Got Loaded" by Los Lobos are among the pop songs which appear in the gag sequences on this episode.
Sketches include: Regan will continue to appear on NNTN, Disney on Ice, New Guinea Evening News, Diet Pepsi, Backtalk, Mister Charge, American Caffeine Council, Society to Create American Royalty, Young Amadeus The Prequel & "Snacklets"
Includes The CBS Evening News with Jesse Helms, Grate Nuts Cereal, Dance Fever & The Random Report.
NNTN spoofs the world we live in. Sketched include: Goode takes a Vacation, The Spider, Still the Cleavers, What's Bush Doing?, Tefron II, Marihuana, World's Worst Wrestling, Ordinary K, Halley's Comet, Bounty, Ace audio reduction unit & Puttin' on the News.
What makes you laugh at the news? The "totally delightful nonsense" of HBO's comedy series. Sketches include: Skeleton in the Closet, Addidas, Today's New Army, HBO Vice President of Collections, Bank Accounts of the Rich and Famous, Stop Gourmets, Baseball Fever & Sniglets
The fastest and sometimes one of the funniest half hours on TV. Sketches include: The Bush Presidency: A Look Back, Christ II: The Second Coming, Celi-Bits, Celebrity Ring-Toss, Back to the Future, DUZ, Come to Iran, Mental Hospital, Return to Oz, E.T. II & Unexplained Sniglets of the Universe
Sketches include: Miss America, Back to the Past, Killer Spelling Bees, R.J. Reynolds/Nabisco, Canan Copiers, Boyarskya Vodka, Old Joke Academy, Bob Charles and the Leisure News & Summer Sniglets
What's in the news today? Not necessarily what you're gonna hear when HBO outrageous comedy news team takes over! All-new October edition.
Cable TV's #1 news parody is new and improved. SO if you liked NNTN before, now you'll like it even better. Only on HBO.
This upbeat, offbeat look at the news-makers and news-breakers is everything the nightly news isn't! All-new December edition.
Nothing is sacred and everybody is fair game when television's funniest news team takes it's annual look at the past twelve months.
Looking for the news but not necessarily? Turn to a leader in the field of up-to-the-minute humor!
Annabelle and Melanie fight over a man who, little known to them is an axe murderer.
Watched the news lately? HBO's serious hit comedy series lampoons the major events as they really happen.
Join HBO's wild NNTN repertory company for an irreverently funny look at today's headlines.
NNTN Coverage included Osgood Charles's Chernobyl Poem, UN Drops, Reagan-Khadafy Exchange, Certz True Story, The Queen of England visit to New Zealand, Waldheim School of Memory training, Michael Deaver's other clients, Coin operated respirator, Going Out of Business chain store, Pat Leahy calls for Congressional Investigation of workmen urinating on Statue of Liberty, Nazi sentenced, Daddy's Credit Card, Nancy Reagan's Dancing lessons, Margaret Thatcher takes questions,
The irreverent NNTN crew brings you what "perhaps the funniest show on TV today"
All-new July edition. It's uncensored and unbelievably funny. Join HBO's NNTN crew for an irreverent look at today's headlines, Sketches include: July 4, 1936 50th anniversary of Statue of Liberty, Cevron, H.D.T. test kit, Back to School with Regan, Lucky O Ice Cream, Common Sense pills, Satan's Slave, What's In What's Out, The Pie 'n Gun, Caffutol & School for Dramatization Actors
In ""A Night of Elm Street"" spoof, our newscaster are haunted by a Freddy type madman.
Stuart writes a script but has a hard time getting it published.
The staff attends a film festival.
Zingers about the recent World Series, economic troubles in South Africa, the Stallone board game, a Cold War update, the Forbes 400, and much more are mocked in this week's edition of HBO's Not Necessarily The News.
Remembering Pearl Harbor
Shake off those winter doldrums with "the fastest and sometimes funniest half-hours on television.
When the crew visits Capitol Hill, Frosty Kimelman decides her name has been holding her back, so she goes through a succession of name changes. Also, Pat Robertson, Dr. Robert Schuller, Rev. Jerry Falwell, and Father Guido Sarducci square off; Jesse Helms discusses a crackdown on pornography; Nancy Reagan talks about stepdaughter Maureen; plus Ronald Reagan stands by for an interview with Bob Charles.
Sketches include: Surprise!, Murch's Fried Pieces, This Date in Comedy, Football Wrap-Up, Arm and Hammer Baking Soda & morning Sniglets.
The crew visits the red carpet to report on the 97th Annual Golden Calf Awards. Also, Dolly Parton and Madonna are interviewed, Helen St. Thomas visits Frankenstein's monster and The Wolf Man at a retirement home, Don King presents new sniglets, and former child star Jay North goes on a rampage.
Shake off those winter doldrums with "the fastest and sometimes funniest half-hours on television.
Highlights from the news stories of 1987
The Regan Era is drawing to a close, and the NNTN news team can't let the event slip by unnoticed. Here's every bungle and bonehead remark!
What's really happening in the world? The NNTN team brings you reports from almost everywhere. From Rio to Reykjavik, Moscow to Managua, and points in between, they give you the real lowdown on world events...more or less.
What's really happening in the world? The NNTN team brings you reports from almost everywhere. From Rio to Reykjavik, Moscow to Managua, and points in between, they give you the real lowdown on world events...more or less.
The Regan Era is drawing to a close, and the NNTN news team can't let the event slip by unnoticed. Here's every bungle and bonehead remark!
The news stories of 1988
The past year was a good one, wasn't it? That is, unless you were involved in Iranscam, or your name is Gary Hart, or you put your savings in the stock market! In their latest HBO special, the NNTN news team-and guests Edwin Newman and George Wendt -reexamine the high (?) points of 1987.
Third live episode of NNTN with AnnabelleGurwitch and Tom Parks, featuring Joe Guppy and Richard Rosen, with commentary by Damon Wayans.
Fourth live episode of NNTN with Annabelle Gurwitch and Tom Parks with field reports by Merrill Markoe, Richard Rosen's Rosen Report, and featuring Joe Guppy, Jon Ross and Lucy Webb.
Fifth live broadcast of Not Necessarily The News, with Annabelle Gurwitch and Tom Parks and live reports by Merrill Markoe and then-future In Living Color cast member Damon Wayans! Commentary by Will Durst is also featured, and find out who wins the title of this week's "Prick of the Week"!
Sixth live episode of NNTN with Annabelle Gurwitch and Tom Parks. With Harry Shearer as Jerry Falwell. Plus Merrill Markoe, Lucy Webb and Joe Guppy.
Attention, world leaders — NNIN is back and brassier than ever! The first show of the ‘90s declares open season on the new decade. Returning co-anchors Tom Parks and Annabelle Gurwitch fuel the fun ‘with NNTNs trademark “fractured footage’ of an international cast of government figures (elected, self-proclaimed and otherwise). celebrities and scandal-mongers. Don't miss an exhilarating all-new hour of uninhibited comedy with “The funniest show on television’ (New York Daily News)
From Lithuania to La La Land, Tom Parks and Annabelle Gurwitch bring you all the news that's fit to air...and some that's not! It's all hilarious, and dangerously up to the minute. Look for "field reporters" such as Merrill Markoe, plus surprise special guests.
They're Back! The original cast of NNTN (save for Tom Koenig, Sam McMurray and Audrie Neenan) meets the live cast of Annabelle Gurwitch and Tom Parks for a special reunion in this special edition of this series that should have been in broadcast syndication for 1989 or 1990. Note that neither Merrill Markoe or Richard Rosen have taken part due to participating in NNTN's possible replacement News To US. And this is the final appearance of Mitchell Laurance.
From Lithuania to La La Land, Tom Parks and Annabelle Gurwitch bring you all the news that's fit to air...and some that's not! It's all hilarious, and dangerously up to the minute. Look for "field reporters" such as Merrill Markoe, plus surprise special guests.
They're Back! The original cast of NNTN (save for Tom Koenig, Sam McMurray and Audrie Neenan) meets the live cast of Annabelle Gurwitch and Tom Parks for a special reunion in this special edition of this series that should have been in broadcast syndication for 1989 or 1990. Note that neither Merrill Markoe or Richard Rosen have taken part due to participating in NNTN's possible replacement News To US. And this is the final appearance of Mitchell Laurance.
