Neil Diamond once wrote a song called “September Morn.” Because September is here,

September 6, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Neil Diamond once wrote a song called “September Morn.” Because September is here, let’s look at five of Mr. Diamond’s most interesting TV appearances:

v“Mannix” (1967): Diamond appeared in the fifth episode of the Mike Connors detective drama, singing “Solitary Man” and “Raising Caine” in a groovy club called the Bad Scene. Joe Mannix (don’t ask what he’s doing there) gets into a fight with a clubgoer, upsetting Diamond, who chides him, “Hey, man, do you mind if I finish this set by myself?”

v“Neil Diamond ... Hello Again” (1986): On this CBS network special, Diamond sings some of his hits, duets with Stevie Wonder, and fantasizes about what it would have been like to work with Carol Burnett on her TV show.

v“Super Bowl XXI” (1987): He sang the national anthem.

vSaturday Night Live” (2002): For several seasons, Will Ferrell did a recurring (and very credible) Diamond impersonation. So it’s only right that Diamond showed up for Ferrell’s final “SNL” show.

vAmerican Idol” (2008): The five remaining contestants (Jason Castro, David Cook, Syesha Mercado, Brooke White, David Archuleta) performed Diamond songs. Castro sang “September Morn,” the reason we’re doing this list in the first place.