Steve Martin and Chevy Chase's Secret Plan to Sneak John Belushi onto The Tonight Show

The iconic comedians devised a clever scheme to challenge Johnny Carson's ban on 'SNL' stars.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:57am

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An abstract, minimalist composition using bold, jagged geometric shapes and high-contrast solid colors to conceptually represent the comedic tension and power struggle between late-night TV hosts and the comedy world.Two iconic comedians devise a clever scheme to challenge a late-night host's authority and bring their banned friend onto the show.Los Angeles Today

In the late 1970s, comedians Steve Martin and Chevy Chase hatched a secret plan to sneak former 'Saturday Night Live' cast member John Belushi onto 'The Tonight Show' hosted by Johnny Carson, despite Carson's ban on booking current 'SNL' stars. Their strategy involved a fake introduction to Chase's 'wife' - which turned out to be Belushi in disguise, causing an eruption of applause from the audience.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the complex dynamics and power struggles between late-night TV hosts and the comedy world. It showcases the lengths comedians were willing to go to challenge authority and entertain their audiences, even in the face of imposed bans.

The details

Carson, known for his dislike of 'SNL's' edgy humor, had imposed a ban on booking current cast members. This didn't sit well with Chase, who had left the show but still felt the sting of Carson's words. Chase and Martin devised a plan to bring Belushi, a banned 'SNL' star, onto the 'Tonight Show' by having him pose as Chase's 'wife' in the audience. When the camera panned to the 'wife,' Belushi was revealed, causing an eruption of applause from the audience.

  • In the late 1970s, Carson had imposed a ban on booking current 'SNL' cast members on 'The Tonight Show'.
  • Chase and Martin hatched their plan to sneak Belushi onto the show sometime before Belushi's appearance.

The players

Johnny Carson

The host of 'The Tonight Show' who had imposed a ban on booking current 'SNL' cast members due to his dislike of the show's edgy humor.

Steve Martin

An iconic comedian who, along with Chevy Chase, devised a plan to sneak John Belushi onto 'The Tonight Show' in defiance of Carson's ban.

Chevy Chase

An iconic comedian who, along with Steve Martin, devised a plan to sneak John Belushi onto 'The Tonight Show' in defiance of Carson's ban, as Chase had previously been a cast member on 'SNL'.

John Belushi

A former 'Saturday Night Live' cast member who was banned from appearing on 'The Tonight Show' by Johnny Carson, but was successfully snuck onto the show by Steve Martin and Chevy Chase in disguise.

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The takeaway

This story highlights the complex power dynamics and tensions between late-night TV hosts and the comedy world. It showcases the lengths comedians were willing to go to challenge authority and entertain their audiences, even in the face of imposed bans. The incident raises questions about the nature of comedy, its boundaries, and the impact these dynamics can have on the careers of comedians.