Not Necessarily the News

Seasons

1983

7.5

An offbeat look at current events, often by dubbing over news video with farcical commentary.

Episode List

S1 • E1

Not Necessarily the News

S1 • E1

Episode #1.1

First regular episode with the familiar original cast (Anne Bloom, Danny Breen, Rich Hall, Mitchell Laurance, Audrie Neenan and Stuart Pankin). Introduces 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.

S1 • E2

Episode #1.2

Includes "Those Healing Bloopers", "Crowded Hospitals," funny politically dubbed footage from a B-movie called "Tennessee's Partner" starring Ronald Reagan and a spoof of the mini-series "The Winds Of War." First broadcast in February, 1983. The tunes "Roll On Down The Highway" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive and "Whammer Jammer (Live)" by The J. Geils Band appear in the gag sequences.

S1 • E3

Episode #1.3

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, and Stuart Pankin. During the gag sequence where President Reagan is swimming as 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" (yes, they were formerly called The Dixie Dregs, the same band led by guitarist Steve Morse).

S1 • E4

Episode #1.4

Some gags featuring cardboard motorcycle cops; a running gag showing two 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." Some airplane humor. Unofficial regular cast member-writer Ron Richards appears as the frightened man on the plane. There are two unusual features: First, Stuart Pankin does not portray his iconic Bob Charles (at least, on camera), and, perhaps most surprisingly, there are no SNIGLETS presented. However, each regular cast member has their fair share of time.

S1 • E5

Episode #1.5

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. Series regulars are: Anne Bloom, Danny Breen, Rich Hall, Mitchell Laurance, Audrie Neenan and Stuart Pankin.

S1 • E6

Episode #1.6

Funny gimmicks featuring religious and political figures of the early 1980's; and 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. Note that the music playing while Anne Bloom flirts with Reagan is "Broad Street Strut" by The Dixie Dregs, from their 1980 album "Dregs Of The Earth."