Ariana Grande transcends typical red-carpet fashion by wearing the actual 1973 Bob Mackie-designed chevron dress Carol Burnett made famous on her variety show, creating a direct link between two generations of comedy and television history during her SNL hosting debut.
Ariana Grande’s Saturday Night Live hosting gig was transformed into a historic television event the moment she stepped into a piece of American comedy history. The singer and actress, alongside her stylist Law Roach, did not simply find a vintage-inspired look; they secured the exact criss-cross halter dress that Carol Burnett wore on a 1973 episode of The Carol Burnett Show, designed by the legendary Bob Mackie.
This move is far more than a fashion statement. It is a deliberate, masterful act of cultural threading, connecting Grande’s current superstardom to the foundational pillars of sketch comedy and variety television that SNL itself was built upon.
The Weight of the Chevron: Beyond Vintage Fashion
In the promotional video alongside Cher and Bowen Yang, Grande’s dress—with its distinct orange, chocolate brown, and mustard yellow chevron pattern—instantly signaled a deep, specific nostalgia. The choice to wear the actual garment, not a replica, elevates the moment from a mere homage to a genuine preservation of television history.
The original Carol Burnett Show ran from 1967 to 1978, a period that directly preceded and influenced the anarchic comedy that SNL would pioneer starting in 1975. Burnett’s show was a ratings juggernaut and a critical darling, winning 25 Primetime Emmy Awards. Wearing a costume from its heyday is a powerful acknowledgment of that legacy.
Bob Mackie’s designs for Burnett were not just clothing; they were comedic props integral to the show’s identity. This particular dress is emblematic of the glamorous, over-the-top aesthetic that defined variety television in the 1970s.
Law Roach’s Thematic Storytelling
This sartorial decision continues the highly thematic and referential press tour Grande and Roach orchestrated for Wicked: For Good. Their collaboration has been characterized by deep cuts and narrative depth:
- A custom Thom Browne look inspired by “all the Glindas”.
- A hand-beaded Emerald City bodice by Rahul Mishra.
- A 73-year-old gown from The Wizard of Oz’s head costume designer, Gilbert Adrian.
The Burnett dress signifies a pivot. It marks the beginning of Grande’s “post-Wicked” era by consciously linking her to a broader entertainment history beyond Oz. It demonstrates a commitment to contextualizing her career within the larger tapestry of American performance.
Why This SNL Moment Matters
Grande’s appearance on SNL is always an event, given her history as a musical guest and her proven comedic chops. However, hosting the show while wearing such an iconic piece adds a new layer of gravitas.
It creates a direct dialogue between two eras of NBC entertainment. It’s a gesture of respect from one of the platform’s biggest contemporary stars to one of its foundational legends. For the show’s audience, it’s a moment of recognition and appreciation for the art form’s history, cleverly woven into the modern hype cycle of a new episode.
Furthermore, her appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers in a custom blush-pink Paolo Sebastian gown—channeling the ethereal Glinda one last time—showcases the duality of this moment. She is both moving forward from her iconic role while gracefully acknowledging the threads that connect all of her performances, from music to comedy to musical theater.
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