Hello, everybody! Since it's Saturday, I'm going to share my feelings on either music, movies, or TV, as I often do on weekends. Today I'm going to discuss some of my favorite episodes off my vintage Saturday Night Live (read: Seasons 1 & 2) DVDs.
First off, two episodes from SNL's premier season (1975-6) really stand out to me-- the premier (originally aired October 11, 1975) and the season finale (dated July 31, 1976). The very first episode is hosted by late comedian/social commentator George Carlin. I love his football/baseball bit. It's so true: America is "Europe Junior." In terms of sketches, they are very experimental and raw. Back in the day, the "Not-Ready-For-Primetime Players" actually tackled the serious issues of the day through comedy. For example, one skit, "New Dad," starring Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase, comments on the changing definition of the American family. Of course the premier's opening sketch gave viewers insight into the crazy comedic genius that was John Belushi and added classic lines to our pop-culture vernacular, like: "I want to feed your fingertips to the wolverines." I was equally intrigued by the first season finale, hosted by Kris Kristofferson. A lot of good stuff here, especially Kristofferson's "Talk Country" Weekend Update commercial. There's also a great Jimmy Carter/Andy Young skit, featuring Aykroyd and Garrett Morris, respectively. I also had a giggle at Kristofferson and Chase in "Waiting for Pardo." Love the philosophical references! In addition, Jane Curtain and Kristofferson's awkward blind date sketch is pretty dang funny. By far, the highlight of the Season 1 finale is another Chase/Kristofferson collaboration. This time, Chase plays then-President Gerald Ford, and Kristofferson shines as Mississippi state rep Frank Wade. The two are discussing the 1976 presidential election, and Chase makes all kinds of signature clumsy, Ford-esque gaffes (e.g. serving "Mr. Wade" a mint tulip as opposed to a mint julip).
As for the sophomore season, I can't gush about the November 20, 1976, episode enough. This is the episode in which host Paul Simon, reluctantly dressed in a turkey costume, performs a hilarious rendition of "Still Crazy After All These Years." This is also the episode in which musical guest George Harrison picks up the check promised to the Beatles by producer Lorne Micheals if the Fab Four reunites on the show. Of course, the music is wonderful, and the sketches, particularly "Billy Paul," are quite good (and poignant!), too. I also rather enjoyed the February 26, 1977, episode. Here, host Steve Martin takes shots from cast members, mainly Gilda Radner, for supposedly having a swelled head after guest-hosting The Tonight Show. The best skit, IMHO, is definitely "The Coneheads" in which the otherworldly family deals with a curious IRS agent, played by Martin.
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