Ep 1. Mariel Hemingway/Blues Traveler

Saturday Night Live season 21 episode 1, featuring Mariel Hemingway as the host and Blues Traveler as the musical guest, kicked off a new era of the legendary sketch comedy show with a fresh slate of live-wire comedy, edgy wit, and dynamic musical performances. This episode marked the beginning of the show’s 1995-1996 season, and as is customary with SNL, it brought together a mix of topical humor, character-driven sketches, and the unmistakable energy that comes with live television.

The episode opened with a hallmark cold open, a comedic sketch without an audience introduction, designed to draw viewers in with laughs before hitting the famous line, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" As usual, the cold open likely riffed on current events and political situations, setting the tone for the rest of the night’s entertainment.

Mariel Hemingway, granddaughter of the illustrious author Ernest Hemingway and an accomplished actress in her own right, stepped onto the SNL stage as the host for the evening. Hemingway’s poise and versatility allowed her to dive into a variety of characters throughout the episode. Her presence may have brought sketches that capitalized on her acting talents and perhaps even gentle nods to her famous family legacy or career highlights.

Blues Traveler, known for their improvisational live shows and the harmonica virtuosity of their lead vocalist John Popper, graced the stage as the musical guest. Viewers could expect a performance filled with soulful melodies, engaging blues-rock jams, and a display of unique artistry that resonates with both studio and at-home audiences. The band’s appearance might have been timed to coincide with the release of a new album or single, allowing them to showcase their latest work.

The SNL cast for season 21 featured several returning players as well as new faces eager to make their mark on the show's storied history. The ensemble likely included performers who would go on to become household names, delivering impersonations, original characters, and playing off the host in a series of sketches that spanned from silly to satirical – from talk show parodies to game show spoofs, fake commercials, and everything in between.

Weekend Update, the show's recurring news parody segment, continued to offer a satirical take on the week's headlines, with the anchor probably dishing out one-liners and featuring interactions with other cast members as recurring characters offering their unconventional perspectives on current events.

A staple of SNL is recurrent characters and segments, so the episode might have brought back fan-favorite characters in new and unexpected situations, continuing to build on the show's rich comedic lore. Viewers might have also been treated to pre-recorded Digital Shorts, which became more frequent in later seasons, providing a blend of the absurd and innovative humor that could push the boundaries of conventional sketch comedy.

As with most episodes of SNL, the production’s set designers, costume crew, and makeup artists would have played a crucial role in bringing sketches to life, immersing the audience in a variety of settings, from the mundane to the extraordinary. Their behind-the-scenes work allows the sketches to pop with visual appeal and help characters come alive.

A vital element of any SNL episode, the commercial parodies, would have featured throughout the night, showcasing the writers' and performers' ability to satirize consumer culture with sharp wit and hilarious commentary on modern advertising tactics.

Finally, the bond between the host, musical guest, and cast often culminates in a farewell segment, where everyone gathers on stage to celebrate the night's achievements and thank the audience. This camaraderie, mixed with the adrenaline rush that comes with live broadcast, makes for a warm and memorable close to the show.

In summary, the first episode of season 21 of Saturday Night Live, with Mariel Hemingway as host and Blues Traveler as the musical act, promised to be a compelling mix of humor, music, and cultural commentary, continuing the show’s legacy as a cornerstone of American late-night television. Viewers tuning into this episode would have been in for an entertaining night filled with the unique brand of comedy that only SNL can provide – a mix of laughs, surprises, and the occasional sharp social observation, delivered in real-time to their living room.