Studio 8H is a television studio located in

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in the

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. The studio is a part of

NBC Studios NBC Studios may refer to: * NBC Studios (New York City), 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan, home of NBC TV, NBCUniversal, MSNBC, WNBC * 10 Universal City Plaza in Los Angeles, home of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment * NBC Tower, office building i ...

, the home of the NBC

television network A television network or television broadcaster is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, where a central operation provides programming to many television stations or pay television providers. Until the mid ...

, located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. It is most notable for housing the live broadcast of ''

Saturday Night Live ''Saturday Night Live'' (often abbreviated to ''SNL'') is an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock. Michaels currently serves ...

'' (''SNL''), which has been broadcast from the studio since the show's inception in 1975.

Construction

Studio 8H was originally built in 1933, at the time of Radio City’s initial construction. It was intended not only for orchestral performances but also for radio variety programs with large studio audiences. It became the home of Arturo Toscanini's NBC Symphony Orchestra in 1937. At the time of construction, Studio 8H was the world's largest radio studio, feet with a height of three stories, which could house a full orchestra. It was converted for television use in 1950, primarily for the live broadcast of '' Kraft Television Theatre''.

History

Hymn of the Nations 1944 OWI film (25 NBC Symphony Orchestra playing Verdi's Inno delle nazioni)

Studio 8H is now most prominent for housing the NBC sketch comedy show ''

'', which is broadcast live. It was revamped just before the 1975 premiere of ''SNL'' at a cost of $250,000. Two episodes of NBC sitcom '' 30 Rock'', " Live Show" and "

Live from Studio 6H "Live from Studio 6H" is the nineteenth episode of the sixth season of the American television comedy series ''30 Rock'', and the 122nd episode overall. It features a return to live broadcasting from the season five episode "Live Show", both o ...

" were also broadcast live from the studio, a departure from the show's usual film format. The first season finale of ''

The Apprentice ''The Apprentice'' is a reality talent game show franchise originally aired in 2004 in the United States. Created by U.S.-based British producer Mark Burnett, the show depicts contestants from around the country with various professional backg ...

'' and the fifth anniversary special of '' Late Night with Conan O'Brien'' both used the studio for one night each. Likewise, ''

Later with Bob Costas Later may refer to: * Future, the time after the present Television * ''Later'' (talk show), a 1988–2001 American talk show * '' Later... with Jools Holland'', a British music programme since 1992 * ''The Life and Times of Eddie Roberts'', or ...

'', '' Love, Sidney'', the 50th anniversary television episode of '' Today'' in 1990, '' House Party with Steve Doocy'', and the fifth anniversary special of '' Late Night with David Letterman'' were broadcast from Studio 8H. '' Last Call with Carson Daly'' used the studio until 2005, when the show moved to Studio 9 at the NBC Studios in Burbank, California. The show '' Your Hit Parade'' filmed in 8H, where Fred Rogers worked writing music for the program. Years later, Eddie Murphy performed a parody of Mr. Rogers' children’s show character named "Mr. Robinson" on ''Saturday Night Live'' in Studio 8H. In January 1975, a special one-hour episode of the daytime drama '' The Doctors'' was taped in Studio 8H. It usually was taped in Studio 3B. During the Summer of 1990, ''Today'' relocated its set from Studio 3B to Studio 8H, to allow for construction of a new set that debuted in Studio 3B on September 10, 1990. In May 2002, NBC celebrated its 75th anniversary and used 8H to shoot the live broadcast of the event. Lorne Michaels (executive producer of 8H mainstay ''Saturday Night Live'') executive produced the event. The studio was also used for the live parts of the season finale of '' The Celebrity Apprentice'' on March 27, 2008.

MSNBC MSNBC (originally the Microsoft National Broadcasting Company) is an American news-based pay television cable channel. It is owned by NBCUniversala subsidiary of Comcast. Headquartered in New York City, it provides news coverage and political ...

's '' Morning Joe'' news program celebrated its tenth anniversary with a show before a live audience at the studio on September 19, 2017. The studio was also used for the show's post-election coverage on November 7, 2018 as well as November 10, 2016 and November 7, 2012.

References

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