During its 38 seasons, Saturday Night Live has gone through ups and downs. But one of its definite highs was in the late 1980s and early '90s. Three of the most prominent cast members from that era — Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller and Kevin Nealon — are teaming up for a comedy tour, one that will stop by Allen Event Center October 19.
The three comics were part of a strong ensemble on SNL from 1986-1991 — and part of a show shakeup following a season in which the now-classic program was almost canceled. Carvey was arguably the most popular of the three at the time, creating such iconic characters The Church Lady; Hans of Hans and Franz (Nealon starred as Franz); and Garth in Wayne's World, alongside Mike Myers.
Miller and Nealon were more well-known for their stints behind the Weekend Update desk. Nealon took over for Miller after his departure in 1991. Nealon would go on to be one of the show's longest-tenured members, staying on for nine seasons.
Carvey achieved some success on screen following SNL, starring in a couple of Wayne's World movies. Nealon has been a go-to supporting actor in both film and TV, starring in a string of Adam Sandler movies and in the recently ended Showtime series Weeds.
But it was Miller who made the most of his post-SNL days, hosting not one, not two, but three different shows bearing his name.
He was also hired to add a little levity to the booth of Monday Night Football, an ill-fated pairing with Al Michaels and Dan Fouts that only lasted two seasons before ABC wisely brought in John Madden to replace both Miller and Fouts. The conservative Miller now makes regular appearances on The O'Reilly Factor.
Tickets for the one-night-only event go on sale Friday, May 3, with tickets ranging from $39 to $149.
Kevin Nealon
