MANIFESTO

S1/V2

Posted on by adayinthesun
A Day In The Sun
The image features a greeting from Paul, who introduces the S1/V2 newsletter for "A Day In The Sun®." It expresses gratitude for the positive reactions received. The background of the image is an abstract design with a rainbow of blended colors creating an arch, symbolizing optimism and diversity. Below the greeting, there is a technical note about email responses. It explains that while most replies will show the correct email address (paul@ADayInTheSun.com), some may see a long, coded string due to variables outside of their control. The writer encourages not to be dissuaded by this "gobbledygook" and assures that the message will still be received. The writer signs off with a whimsical declaration that "gobbledygook" is the word of the day and indicates readiness to proceed with the content. The text within the image reads: "Hello! Paul here. I present you with S1/V2 newsletter for A Day In The Sun®. Thanks to all of you for your cheery “huzzahs” in response to our maiden voyage. First, a technical note. So, when most of you reply to this, should you be so moved—and I hope you are!—the “to” appears as paul@ADayInTheSun.com. This is as it should be. But for some of you, depending on a bunch of different variables out of our control, the “to” may appear as a long coded address. If you see the coded gobbledygook, don’t be dissuaded; your note will still get to me. And I declare “gobbledygook” to be the word of the day. With that, let’s get rolling."
The image contains a header "Things I Think I Think" and a subheading that reads "Rants and ravings from the nexus of brands, entrepreneurship, and popular culture." Below the headings, the text discusses the significance of color in branding, and uses Barbie as an example of effective use of color. The author is impressed by the fact that the Barbie billboard works well. The bottom part of the image shows a photograph of a simple billboard with a vibrant pink color and the word "OCEAN" at the bottom left corner, and a date "July 31" at the bottom right corner. The stark contrast of the pink billboard against the blue sky with fluffy white clouds and a green tree line illustrates the visual impact mentioned in the text. The image is credited to Mattel. The text within the image reads: "Comments rolled in abundantly in regards to the importance of color. Hey, let’s play some color tennis! On one hand, consider Barbie. That this billboard actually works is remarkable. Credit: Mattel"
The image features a text dialogue and three photographs of grocery store shelves stacked with GOODLES macaroni and cheese products. The text discusses a conversation about the strategic use of color in branding, where an individual named Craig emphasizes his desire not to be known for a single color, but rather for a broad and creative use of color. The author agrees with this philosophy, noting its successful application in the branding of GOODLES products, which are shown in a variety of vibrant box colors on store shelves. The author invites viewers to check out the shelf presence of the products and suggests visiting Gal's latest Instagram post to see more of the brand's colorful display. The text within the image reads: "And a volley back! One of my primary spirit animals, Craig, quipped: “I don’t want my brand to be known for a color. I want to be known for color, meaning, the creative use of color broadly.” I’m with him. This precept is working beautifully for GOODLES so far. Our “color”: colors. Check out our shelf presence below and I dare you to click on Gal’s latest Insta post celebrating our joyous technicolor dream. Credit: GOODLES"
The image is a photograph taken outdoors showing people walking in a park with a giant inflatable blue bag in the background. The blue bag is reminiscent of the well-known Ikea shopping bag, but on a much larger scale. The presence of the bag appears to be part of an installation or event, as it draws the attention of passersby. Skyscrapers can be seen in the distance, indicating an urban setting. Above the photograph, there is text that contemplates the impact of Ikea's "Big Blue Bag" as a cultural icon. The author expresses affection for the bag's emergence as an icon and debates that its popularity stems not just from its color but also from its size. The text within the image reads: "At risk of de-positioning the above thought, I love the emergence of Ikea’s 'Big Blue Bag' as a cultural icon, although I’d argue that its source of popularity is not the blue as much as the 'big' part. Credit: Ikea, Fast Company"
The image features a photograph of actress Rashida Jones sitting in a massage chair, looking relaxed and smiling, with a remote control in her hand. The Citi logo and a "Sale" sign are also visible, suggesting that this is a still from a commercial for Citi. Accompanying the image is a text expressing the author's exasperation at the frequent airing of this particular Citi commercial featuring Rashida Jones. The writer conveys a mix of humor and critique, stating a preference for diversity in advertisements and expressing a wish for the commercial to be replaced with different content. The lighthearted closing remark suggests that TV viewers would greatly enjoy a change. The text within the image reads: "A few of my design partners are true masters of color, and I know who to call if I ever have Pantontitis. Can we please get a restraining order, march on Washington, anything, to persuade Citi to retire that commercial featuring Rashida Jones in a massage chair? I am prone to hyperbole, but I bet I have seen that spot 100+ times. Why spend so much on media, and then torment people by running the same execution at nauseam? I’m a huge Rashida fan, but please Citi: rotate in something else. TV viewers would 'looooooove iiiiit.' Credit: Citi"
The image displays a section of text that is highlighted as a brand manifesto from Lyft. The text praises the manifesto for its alignment with the company's external image and messaging, expressing a wish that they had been involved in its creation. The manifesto itself speaks to themes of adventure, self-assertion, and individuality, rejecting conventional limits and embracing personal branding and expression. It uses bold language to encourage not being afraid to stand out or make noise, and emphasizes living life to its fullest rather than adhering to a monotonous routine. The manifesto concludes by stating that it's about the individual, not the company. The visible text in the image reads: "The Lyft brand manifesto has been making the rounds, for a reason: it is awesome. We do a fair amount of brand strategy, and each time I proselytize that the words and tone/spirit you use internally should sync exactly with what appears externally. Here’s Exhibit A. [Note: we didn’t do this one, but I wish we had]. Credit: Lyft"
The image is a candid photo of a McDonald's crew member at the counter, wearing a purple t-shirt with the text "hbd grimace," suggesting a celebration of the character Grimace's birthday. In the background, there's a digital menu display showing food items. The surrounding text conveys the photographer's excitement about McDonald's nostalgia, particularly the characters which the author doesn't regard as merely "retro" but genuinely great. The author humorously shares a personal anecdote of attempting to purchase one of the t-shirts from the crew member for $20 in Wisconsin, to no avail. The text within the image reads: "I went googoo gaga when I saw McDonald’s celebration of Grimace’s birthday. The relevance of these characters isn’t “retro!” It’s that they are great. A few weeks ago, I offered this crew member somewhere in Wisconsin $20 to grab me one of these shirts from the back room (outcome: no dice). Photo by Paul, taken with permission"
The image shows a passage of text with a background photo of an airplane seat back and a bag stowed under the seat. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "Text overlaying an image of an airplane seat from a passenger's point of view. The seatback is upholstered in blue with a mesh pocket containing a safety card and what appears to be a personal item with red detail, placed in front of a stowed black bag. The text reads: 'Raise your hand if you are familiar with the idea of Purpose. “We believe that _____. We exist to _____.” The almighty “why.” Well, I still believe in Purpose but with all due apologies to Simon Sinek, there is a higher-order standard: Principle. Adhering to Principle means you are willing to take a course of action even if it runs counter to your immediate-term interests. There is basically zero Principle in government and in too many corporate boardrooms these days. Young people especially insist on Principle, and we should all take note. — There is a reason this pocket in front of my plane seat is made out of mesh (think it through). Reminds me of an incredible comment by a famous product designer in a meeting I was in, not that long ago: “People are going to use this my way, and that’s the only way.” Great design does have a Godlike superpower to shape your behavior.' At the bottom right, it states 'Photo by Paul'."
The image features a snippet of an article and a photo related to the High Line in New York City. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "Text on a background featuring a photo of the High Line’s new bridge. The image shows a man and a woman walking on a pathway flanked by greenery and modern wooden design elements, with city buildings in the background. The text reads: 'Loved this piece on the improvements coming to the High Line in NYC, encouraging even more walking. There is a ton of data supporting the notion that people think more clearly when moving. Some of the all-time best conversations I have had with my GOODLES partner, Jen, took place while walking...either together in person, or 2,000 miles away via phone. Peace in the Middle East was achieved (for a fleeting moment) while the key principals moseyed through the woods in Camp David. We advise all our clients and partners to get moving! — The High Line’s fancy new bridge just made a slice of NYC much more walkable The L-shaped bridge, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and James Corner Field Operations, stands to make a small stretch of Manhattan much more pleasant for pedestrians. [Image: Andrew Frasz/courtesy Skidmore, Owings & Merrill]' At the bottom of the image, there is a credit that states 'Credit: Fast Company'."
The image shows a black and white photo of four members of a rock band playfully peeking out from a window, superimposed on a larger colored background with text. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "A black and white photo of the band Led Zeppelin, featuring the members leaning out of a window in a playful manner, is circled in pink. The surrounding text on a pink background reads: 'I recently met some business partners and friends at the famous Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. When is a bar more than just a bar? When it’s a place that Led Zeppelin turned upside down. The history of anything (a venue, an object) contributes to one’s experience with it. Credit: Led Zeppelin and Jay Thompson. Imagine that hangover.' The text provides context about the importance of a place’s history in enhancing one's experience there, using the Chateau Marmont as an example."
The image is a black and white photo of Dave "Cobra" Parker, a baseball star, wearing a T-shirt with a saying and a fedora. The photo is set against a pink background with overlaid text. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "A photo of baseball star Dave 'Cobra' Parker wearing a T-shirt that reads 'IF YOU HEAR ANY NOISE IT'S JUST ME AND THE BOYS BOPPIN'.' Parker is wearing a fedora and the T-shirt features a simple sans-serif font. In the background, a teammate is partially visible, wearing a 'PIRATES 39' sports jersey. The surrounding pink background contains text that reads: 'I have noticed that tee shirts bearing clever sayings in simple sans-serif font are having a moment. Did they ever go away? Nothing will ever top this one from the 1970s, modeled perfectly by baseball star Dave “Cobra” Parker. Best paired with a fedora. Credit: AP.' The text comments on the timeless appeal of T-shirts with clever sayings and highlights this specific shirt as an iconic example."
The image features a variety of items arranged on a surface, with a background text overlay. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "A collection of quirky items on a desk, including a photograph of a 'zonkey' (zebra-donkey hybrid), a figurine resembling a famous movie alien in a red shirt holding a pizza, a plush unicorn toy, and a pair of oversized sunglasses. In the foreground, there are two yellow tickets with 'MYSTERY SPOT SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. - U.S.A.' printed on them. The overlaid text reads: 'We recently moved to a new house and as I was clearing out my desk, I encountered so many GOODLES artifacts. Great brands must have source code that runs deep, including seemingly incongruous influences. That’s a zonkey right there. I am sworn to secrecy about the relevance of the Elvis glasses. Photo by Paul'."
The image shows a photo of a vintage memo displayed on a screen with a pink border and a caption below. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "A photo of a black and white memo with a header indicating it's from 'George Harrison' to 'Everybody at Apple' dated '4th December' with the year partially cut off, suggesting the late 1960s. The body of the memo reads: 'Hells Angels will be in London within the next week, on the way to straighten out Czechoslovakia. There will be twelve in number! complete with black leather jackets and motor cycles. They will undoubtedly arrive at Apple and I have heard they may try to make full use of Apple's facilities. They may look as though they are going to do you in but are very straight and do good things, so don't fear them or up-tight them. Try to assist them without neglecting your Apple business and without letting them take control of Savile Row.' The surrounding pink frame contains text that reads: 'I loved this memo from George Harrison to “Everybody at Apple,” unearthed for the brilliant Scorsese documentary Living In The Material World. Why? It’s a heck of a story, but I also love its design. Credit: Apple Corp/George'."
The image displays a screenshot of a video featuring Paul Simon performing, with a text overlay and a caption. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "A screenshot of musician Paul Simon, captured mid-performance with a guitar, against a concert stage backdrop. He appears to be singing into a microphone. A play button overlay suggests it's a still from a video. The text above the image reads: 'I was moved by the CBS Sunday Morning profile on Paul Simon recently, which spent a good chunk of time on his creative process. If you have an idea, write it down! And be a supercomputer collecting stimuli. Often creative breakthroughs are discovered more than they are “made.” This is especially true in naming. Click on the image below for more. And speaking of Harrison and Simon, prepare to have your mind blown if you make it all the way down to the Rabbit Hole at the bottom!' The image is framed with a pink border and the credit at the bottom reads: 'Credit: Paul Simon/CBS'."
The image is of a cardboard box filled with various fruits and a printed flyer. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "A cardboard box filled with fresh fruit, such as bananas, apples, oranges, and a cantaloupe, is visible. On top of the box is a flyer with the logo 'TOP BOX FOODS' and the slogan 'Great Affordable Food for All' underneath. The website 'www.topboxfoods.com' and a phone number '(312) 527-7890' are also printed on the flyer. The background is a pale peach color, and at the top in a casual font, the text reads: 'So, how’d this do in testing? This one’s for you, insights and research pros! Ba dum dum.' The bottom right corner holds the credit: 'Credit: Top Box'."
The image features a graphic with a large white letter 'X' on a black background next to a blurred blue Twitter bird logo. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "A graphic image with a prominent white 'X' on the left side against a black background, and a blurred image of the Twitter bird logo in blue on the right side. Above the graphic, in a contrasting pink border, the text reads: 'I have gotten tons of questions from the brand world: what do you think of Twitter becoming X? Well, here’s the shortest review I’ve ever written: F.' The credit in the bottom right corner of the pink border says 'Credit: Bloomberg'."
The image is a combination of text and a photo. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "At the top of the image, in large bold letters, is the heading 'A Few Words About Words' followed by a subtitle 'Notable discoveries from a guy lost in nomenclature.' Below this, in white text against a dark background, are several humorous comments about various names and titles. The first comment is 'I like the name BADDA BEAN BADDA BOOM. You got a problem with that? Fuggedaboudit.' The second says 'The name MARY'S GONE CRACKERS has made me do just that (an awesome product too, btw).' The third shares 'EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCE is such a great name that it is engaging without having any idea what the movie is about (I have not yet seen this film, but will work it into a conversation the next time I’m at a party, and see where things go).' The final comment reads 'I like to keep things sunny wherever possible, at least publicly. But wow is YOUR MOVIE SUCKS a great book title. Another one from the archives as we moved last month.' At the bottom half of the image, a hand is holding a book with the cover facing the camera. The cover has a picture of film critic Roger Ebert with the title 'YOUR MOVIE SUCKS' in bold red letters. Beneath the photo is the attribution 'Photo by Paul' in white text."
The image shows a row of rosé wine bottles on a shelf with a label reading "KID SISTER." The text above the photo expresses the author's intrigue about the name of the wine, particularly the use of "kid" in its branding. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "Photo of several rosé wine bottles on a shelf labeled 'KID SISTER.' The bottles have a pink hue and feature a playful font on the labels, with a drawing of a ribbon. The text above the photo reads: 'KID SISTER is a tremendous name for anything, but of course I’m wondering how this syrah rosé was able to get anything with “kid” in the name through regulatory.' The image has a pink border, and in the lower right corner, it's credited 'Photo by Paul'."
The image displays a stack of canned goods with colorful labels, and text commentary above. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "A stack of four canned goods with vibrant labels in shades of pink, orange, green, and beige. Each can is labeled 'CHILI CON CARNE EdRED MADE IN RESTAURANT 300g' accompanied by an illustration of a red fox. The text above the image reads: 'PIGGVAR isn’t bacon or ham; it’s a sour blueberry candy, and for that reason, it’s WAWW (Words About Words-Worthy). ED RED chili con carne slays on all dimensions, including its name. But what about Zed? Zed is dead, man.' The credit at the bottom of the image states 'Credit: EdRed'."
The image displays a person's hand holding a tan and black baseball glove with text imprinted on it, and there's accompanying text at the top and bottom around the image. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "A hand holding a beige and black baseball glove with the text 'G ELITE' and 'FOR THE PROFESSIONAL PLAYER' imprinted on it. The glove also features the brand name 'Rawlings' and other details such as 'CATCHER'S MITT' and 'SOME FOR THE PRO LOOP.' Above the image, the text reads: 'I was noticing my 11 year old’s new baseball glove, which is designated “FOR THE PROFESSIONAL PLAYER.” Says so right there. He isn’t one, but dare to dream.' Below the image, more text states: 'I enjoy the super weird FFUPS line of “tasty tubes” snacks because, well, it’s super weird, in the best way. I like that the brand admits it is “not healthy” right on the bag, and golf clap for the vague-but-deniable expletive reference. DRUNK ELEPHANT is no secret, especially to Shiseido, which paid $845 million for the brand. But if you hadn’t heard, now you have. This name is totally weird and totally awesome. What do you call the sound that elephants make, by the way? And is it slurred when the pachyderm is tipsy?' The credit 'Photo by Paul' is noted at the bottom right corner of the image."
The image shows the exterior of a restaurant named 'Lardo' with a clear view of the signboard above the establishment. The text above the image praises the name of the restaurant. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "Photograph of a street-side restaurant with a large sign that reads 'Lardo' in cursive red lettering. The façade of the restaurant is partially visible with its interior slightly obscured by reflections. In front of the restaurant, there is a bicycle parked to the side. The text above the image states: 'LARDO is a scrumptiously provocative name. I give them credit for bravery. And a note to the haters: one way to disarm something is to lean right in to it.' The image is framed with a pink border, and the credit 'Photo by Paul' is located at the bottom right corner."
The image shows a building with a vertical sign that spells out 'ASYLUM' in large blue letters against the side of the structure. The text above the image comments on the name of the building. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "A photo of a multi-story building with wood siding, featuring a large vertical blue banner with the word 'ASYLUM' written in white capital letters. The building has blue window frames that match the banner, and there is a small sign that says 'BLDG' at the bottom of the banner. In the foreground, there is a partial view of a parking area with a car. Above the image, the text reads: 'A reminder that just being different and “disruptive” doesn’t mean it’s good. Who would ever want to live in the ASYLUM? Insane.' The image is outlined with a pink border and credited with 'Photo by Paul' at the bottom right corner."
The image features a hanging sign with the word "TELEPHONE" prominently displayed, with additional text underneath. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "A square hanging sign with a dark background and the word 'TELEPHONE' in large, cut-out letters at the top, under which 'CLOTHING ANTIQUES FURNITURE' is written in smaller letters. The sign is suspended from a metal bracket and is pictured against a textured building façade with a window reflecting the sky. Above the image, the text reads: 'I like TELEPHONE because the product isn’t one.' The image has a pink border, and at the bottom right corner, it is credited with 'Photo by Paul'."
The image contains a heading, a body of text discussing entrepreneurial ventures and product development, and a photo of a food product. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "The header 'Inside the Ropes' in large, bold font, with a subtitle 'Around the horn on some venture adventures of which we are part.' Below this, text narrates a client project relating to entrepreneurship and innovation, mentioning the growth of GOODLES and introducing a new product, a limited-time offering (LTO) of mac and cheese with hops, in celebration of National IPA day. The product is named 'IF YOU'RE HOPPY AND YOU KNOW IT' and is featured in the accompanying photo, which shows a bowl of mac and cheese next to a glass of beer and the GOODLES product box. The packaging has playful branding and a drawing of a hop cone. The bottom right corner cites 'Credit: GOODLES'."
The image is a screenshot of a text document with various updates and announcements. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "Text providing updates on several products and ventures. It starts with 'More big news for Big Nose Kate western whiskey: we will soon be distributed in California. This is a BFD for BNK. Stay tuned to @BigNoseKateWhiskey for updates about a few activations in the Los Angeles area, soon. Hollywood loves a good story, and Kate brings it, bigtime. We are also developing some very inspired new expressions for our innovation pipeline, the great Mel Heim workin’ her mighty magic.' It continues with 'Speaking of magic, Small Wonder shampoo concentrate’s “earn while you learn” experiment is now live. Check it out at www.SmallWonder.world. The team has big plans and big news lined up for the fall, and for now wants to discover how people interact with the wondrous powder.' The third paragraph reads 'Summer is generally a quiet time for crème liqueurs and Dottie’s is no different, unless, um, you want to try the greatest (expletive) mudslide you’ve ever (expletive) had.' The text concludes with a thank you to partners and a call to action for venture development workshops, saying 'If you’re up for a rodeo, holler.'"
The image is a collage titled 'Gallery' with four separate photos accompanied by captions. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "The image is a collection of four photographs, each with a caption. In the top left, there's a photo of a car's spare tire cover with a compass rose design, captioned 'I agree.' The top right image shows a view through trees to a setting sun over a body of water, captioned 'Our new house is a stone's throw from Lake Michigan. I will head there as often as I can.' The bottom left photo is of a bright orange 'UTILITY WORK AHEAD' road sign, with the caption 'Science suggests that orange is the most visible color, especially when it is reflective like this. I’d advise that all my clients' packaging be metallic orange, but then...' The bottom right picture is of a building with a blue sign that reads 'Art's Grocery,' captioned 'Speaking of orange, I deeply love this blue x orange combo. One day I want to create something worthy of this pleasing color meld.' The images are set against a purple background, and at the top, it reads 'Gallery Pics by Paul.' There's also a credit at the bottom: 'Credit: Pics by Paul'."
The image is a collage featuring various photographs of painted walls and graffiti, as well as a message written on a sidewalk. Each photograph is accompanied by a caption. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "The image is a collection of photos showcasing urban art. The top two photos display a colorful mural on a wall outside the Soho House in Chicago, with a caption appreciating the artist's work. The middle row of images shows different graffiti artworks with a caption acknowledging the artistic spirit despite the legal issues. The left image has the text 'ZEPLA LUKAS' and the right one depicts a house with multiple objects and decorations, with a caption about the visual 'neutron bomb' of items. The bottom photo shows sidewalk graffiti that reads 'YOU ARE LOVED,' with a caption responding positively to the anonymous artist. The background is pink, and the text, 'To whoever did this: back atcha.' is placed at the bottom."
The image is a two-paneled photo collage with captions. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "On the left, there is a photo capturing a scene of a work dinner on a restaurant patio during a beautiful summer evening in downtown Chicago, with sunlight filtering through trees and an umbrella. The caption reads: 'Recent work dinner in downtown Chicago on a beautiful summer night. A moment in the sun in many many ways.' On the right, there is a photo of a pedestrian crossing on a street, with shadows and the crossing lines creating an abstract pattern. The caption for this image states: 'Last month I included a photo that was actually a mistake. Here is this month’s. Save your mistakes!' The background of the collage is purple, and the photos are within white-bordered frames."
The image is split into two sections with text and a graphic. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "The top section has a green background with the text: 'That’s a wrap for now. Thanks for reading this far. Holler if so moved. And… onward! Cheers, Paul' The bottom section has a purple background and features a stylized yellow line drawing of a human figure walking, connected to a series of circles that resemble a nautilus shell pattern. The text on the bottom section includes contact information: 'Paul Earle A Day In The Sun® Paul@ADayInTheSun.com 909 Davis Street, Fifth Floor Evanston, Illinois USA 60201'"
The image is a page of text discussing an interesting historical tidbit about "Saturday Night Live," George Harrison, and Paul Simon. At the top, there's a circular logo with the words 'RABBIT HOLE' repeated around the circumference. Below this logo, the text reads: "'What’s a newsletter without a good solid Rabbit Hole? I promised a mind-blowing experience, and this will deliver. George Harrison and Paul Simon performed a duet of “Here Comes The Sun” on SNL. Here’s the story. It was 1976 and Season Two for a big new concept at the time: Saturday Night Live. The cofounders, Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol, were brainstorming ways to make a big splash to drive ratings, as the long term success of this show was far from a foregone conclusion. “Hustle mode” pervaded, wild ideas flying left and right. One of them: let’s have the Beatles reunite for a short performance on the show, live before a national audience! Blockbuster concept. Could it be done? As somewhat of a lark, knowing it was such a long shot, Michaels actually aired the idea right on the show for the world to see and hear, making an open the pitch to the Beatles to do this, as cameras rolled. As chance would have it, both Lennon an McCartney happened to be in New York at the time, and in separate apartments, each saw the request on live TV along with the millions of others watching. Paul called John at home, John actually answered, and they seriously discussed going down to Rockefeller Center to do a few numbers right then and there. But ultimately, they demurred. It was late at night, and they were tired (so the story goes). Also made aware of the “Beatles x SNL” idea, a week or so later: George Harrison. The “Quiet Beatle” had been in a bit of a funk, and thought the idea of doing SNL sounded like a nice change of pace. For all his Eastern mysticism, remember George also had a keen eye for commercial opportunity. His manager contacted Michaels et al and said: is the offer still good? The Beatles can’t reunite, but George himself was “in.” The SNL team said “sure!” And so began another challenge: booking logistics. There were only so many episodes left in the season, they all had musical guests lined up, and there were only so many days when George could be in New York. With necessity being the mother of invention, Michaels had a brilliant idea: let’s pair George with our existing musical guest on one of the particular evenings... Paul Simon.'"
The image includes a text block and a still image from a video. Here is the alt text including all of the text that appears in the image: "The image has a purple border and features a block of text at the top, recounting a significant event from November 19, 1976, when George Harrison and Paul Simon performed "Here Comes The Sun" as a duet on 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL). It is noted as one of the few live performances of the song and highlights the extraordinary nature of the performance due to the song's complex harmonies and unusual time signature. The story elaborates on SNL's attempt to reunite The Beatles for a performance, which ultimately led to the duet. The morals of the story include aiming high and appreciating that sometimes Plan B can be better than Plan A, emphasizing that the pairing of George Harrison with Paul Simon created an extraordinary musical moment. Below the text is a blurred still image from the SNL performance, showing George Harrison and Paul Simon playing guitars. The text encourages the reader to enjoy the music and to sit down, implying the significance of the performance. At the bottom right, the image is credited to 'SNL, George, Paul'."