It’s been over 40 years since Madonna, who turns 65 this week, burst onto the music scene with her self-titled debut album, released on July 27, 1983 by Sire Records.
Within a year, she would be everywhere. Dance clubs, radio stations, magazine covers, you name it.
A lucky star was born!
In November 1984, shortly before the release of her second studio album Like A Virgin, SNL spoofed the singer and her pudgy belly that, honestly, really wasn’t very pudgy at all.
Cast member Pamela Stephenson, who appeared in just one season of the late-night comedy series, impersonated the singer in a sketch titled “Madonna Navel Accessories.”
Dressed in an identical outfit as Madonna in her “Lucky Star” music video, Stephenson swayed back and forth with her midriff exposed while performing the song with some added assistance from a pair of cartoon lips (and a few props) painted over her belly button.
At the end of the sketch, a man’s voice says, “Madonna navel accessories. Turn your tummy’s black hole into a star bright.”
Watch.
Watching the sketch in 2023, there’s definitely a cheese factor to it (Groucho goggles? Really??) and the gags are, well, are they really even gags? Probably not by today’s standards.
Keep in mind, this was the 1980s, when fat-shaming and commenting on women’s looks were still considered perfectly acceptable and sometimes even hilarious. Also, even though she was technically the butt of the joke, Madonna laughed all the way to the bank.
As the sole songwriter on “Lucky Star”, not only did SNL have to pay for permission to use the track, but it was basically free publicity for both the single, which by then had been released almost a year earlier and become her first top-five hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and Madonna’s new album, Like A Virgin, which was scheduled to be released one week after the broadcast.
Madonna would go on to be the subject of several more SNL skits over the years, portrayed by everyone from Janeane Garofalo to Molly Shannon to Kristen Wiig. She would also appear on the show herself–hosting an episode in 1985, performing as a musical guest in 1993, and appearing alongside Lady Gaga in a sketch in 2009.
While you’re here, re-watch the original “Lucky Star” music video below. And join us in wishing Madonna a happy b-day. Long live the queen!
Gabby
I won’t even watch it. I am so inspired with what she has done with her life and feel that she gets so much hate thrown her way strictly for surviving and thriving.
ShaverC
Are they writing about a different skit? This skit wasn’t funny but there was absolutely no fat shaming, the comedienne was skinny.
LumpyPillows
Healthy women do not have ripped stomachs. Men older than their teens don’t either.
correctio
lol yes we do bro
peluzo
I dont have no lumpy pillows
abfab
The Pillow Guy speaks!
LumpyPillows
LOL. Gym rats. I could elaborate on that, but I’ll just chuckle.
bachy
Madonna is adored – and maligned – from New York to Nouakchott. That’s how it is and how it always will be.
Gabby
So well said. I adore her.
abfab
I’m hoping the show won’t resemble a Cirque du Soiel production. She could take a lesson from David Byrne of HERE LIES LOVE fame and transform the arenas into a multi-media/discoteques.
EVERYONE PLEASE TRY TO SEE HERE LIES LOVE
ShaverC
abfab, Figures you’d love a musical about a tyrant.
abfab
@ ShaverC
Your repubilcan/right-wing ignorance machine just keeps on giving and giving.
Don’t go to this show. You will not understand it.
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For those with a thirst for historical Broadway plays (Hamilton, South Pacific, etc) please see WIKI for a quick synopsis of HEAR LIES LOVE.
~~~~~~~~~
wiki
In the silence that follows, the DJ comes down from his booth. He sings the story of the People Power Revolution while playing his guitar, gradually joined by the rest of the ensemble as they collectively marvel at the peaceful end to an otherwise violent regime (“God Draws Straight”).
decrans
When is Queerty going to start posting fat people, then? Jesus, my eyes can’t roll back in their head far enough.
Kangol2
They have, you just don’t and won’t look, your head is so far up DeFascist’s tuches!
decrans
Hot naked fat people, though.
decrans
I’m talking about daily postings, Kangol. Isn’t your ideology about body positivity (“under certain circumstances”) and empowerment. Nope. At the end of the day, your side worships the almighty dollar just like the conservatives. Queerty, a known purveyor of athletic men on a daily basis, does not post with the same frequency. But yay, #equality. Vote blue in November or something.
Keebler ILF
That video wasn’t fat shaming. It was just a belly button joke.
Kangol2
Madonna more than got the last laugh, but that video wasn’t fat shaming, it was trying to make fun of how Madonna bared her midriff in her early 80s outfits. Doing so led to criticism similar to when Cher had done the same thing 10 years before. You know, American prudery and puritanism.
decrans
And why doesn’t Queerty post hot naked fat people then? Isn’t it similar to conservative puritanical urges? Worshipping almighty dollar signs as opposed to some sky god? As I said in the other post, the political binaries in this country are two sides of the same coin.