SIX TIMES IN JUST OVER TWO YEARS — THAT’S HOW STEVE MARTIN OWNED SNL. On November 4, 1978, Steve Martin walked onto the SNL stage like he owned the place. Because, honestly, he kind of did. White tuxedo. Calm smile. A literal flaming hoop. Bill Murray hovered beside him, loyal and slightly confused, like he knew chaos was coming but didn’t know when. Steve spoke slowly. Let the silence breathe. Every pause landed. One dry line at a time, he built the laugh instead of chasing it. Bill waited. Steve didn’t notice. That was the joke. By his sixth time hosting in just over two years, this wasn’t a guest spot anymore. It was a victory lap. And the room knew it.
A Studio That Already Knew His Name By the time November 4, 1978 arrived, Steve Martin no longer felt like…