On February 21, 1981, Charles Rocket became infamous in Saturday Night Live history when he dropped the F bomb live on air, leading to his firing from the show.
The incident occurred during the closing moments of an episode hosted by Dallas star Charlene Tilton. In a staged sketch parodying Dallas, Rocket, playing a J.R. Ewing-type character, was “shot” earlier in the show. When asked how he felt about the experience during the farewell segment, Rocket casually responded, “It’s the first time I’ve ever been shot in my f*ing life.”
The uncensored expletive shocked audiences and NBC executives, leading to Rocket’s dismissal along with several other cast members at the end of the season. His firing marked a major turning point for SNL, as producer Jean Doumanian was also removed following the disastrous 1980-81 season, making way for Dick Ebersol to take over the show’s production.
Though Rocket’s SNL tenure was short lived, he later found success in film and television, appearing in movies like Dumb and Dumber and Hocus Pocus.
80s insight: Charles Rocket’s slip wasn’t the only time SNL had a live profanity scandal. Jenny Slate and Norm Macdonald are among others who also accidentally cursed on air.
The incident occurred during the closing moments of an episode hosted by Dallas star Charlene Tilton. In a staged sketch parodying Dallas, Rocket, playing a J.R. Ewing-type character, was “shot” earlier in the show. When asked how he felt about the experience during the farewell segment, Rocket casually responded, “It’s the first time I’ve ever been shot in my f*ing life.”
The uncensored expletive shocked audiences and NBC executives, leading to Rocket’s dismissal along with several other cast members at the end of the season. His firing marked a major turning point for SNL, as producer Jean Doumanian was also removed following the disastrous 1980-81 season, making way for Dick Ebersol to take over the show’s production.
Though Rocket’s SNL tenure was short lived, he later found success in film and television, appearing in movies like Dumb and Dumber and Hocus Pocus.
80s insight: Charles Rocket’s slip wasn’t the only time SNL had a live profanity scandal. Jenny Slate and Norm Macdonald are among others who also accidentally cursed on air.
