NEW YORK – Saturday Night Live has started the season with a bang, or, more precisely, an F-bomb.

Newcomer Jenny Slate let the dreaded word slip during a parody of a talk show by biker women. Called “Biker Chick Chat,” the sketch was laden with tough talk from its participants, played by Slate, Kristen Wiig and guest host Megan Fox.

But the most objectionable word was substituted, with rapid-fire comic frequency, with an inoffensive stand-in for that vulgarity.

Then, midway through the sketch, Slate slipped and said the word she meant to avoid.
“You know what? You stood up for yourself,” she declared, “and I (expletive) love you for that.”

She puffed her cheeks, perhaps realizing her error, but the sketch continued with no interruption or further flubs.

Slate is an actress and comedian who this summer appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and is perhaps best-known as half of the comedy duo Gabe and Jenny — until her memorable Saturday Night Live debut this weekend.

NBC declined to comment on the incident, other than to say the word had been restored to the intended “freakin'” for the show’s replays in western time zones.

The sketch aired live at about 12:40 a.m. Eastern, well after prime time, when use of expletives can be punished by the FCC.

It wasn’t the first time this particular word had been heard on Saturday Night Live. Cast member Charles Rocket made the slip in 1981.

But less than two weeks ago, a veteran New York City news anchor created a sensation by accidentally dropping an F-bomb during a newscast while bantering with the weatherman. The clip was soon an Internet favorite. Ernie Anastos of Fox affiliate WNYW apologized on the air the next night.

Editor’s note: The clip is online if you are curious about it.