Season 2, Episode 20;Host:Eric Idle, with Alan Price, Neil Innes, Jeanette Charles and Howard Shore and his Bobby Blue Band

Aired April 23, 1977. 

Cold opening:"Interrogation"
A British soldier (Eric Idle) interrogates an Irish prisoner (Bill Murray) about an impending bomb attack. 

When the prisoner refuses to answer, the soldier threatens to torture...two potatoes!

When this doesn't work, the soldier says if the prisoner refuses to answer his questions within ten seconds, he will turn the potatoes into French fries.  He asks the the Irishman three questions:

"One: is the bomb live or diffused? Two: what city was it mailed from? And three: when will it go off?"
The prisoner answers "Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!"

Monologue:"Save Great Britain Telethon"
Host Eric Idle introduces Queen Elizabeth II (Jeanette Charles), who takes a seat on the homebase stage.  Idle says that England has always loved America's money, and tonight he will be asking Americans to help his country.

Due to the UK's economic woes, he announces that Saturday Night will be holding the Save Great Britain Telethon.  Idle says British music mogul Clive Davis will pledge $20.00 if they mention his name. He says tonight's episode will feature several fundraising bits. The first is the Kicking A Canadian contest.  The Queen herself begins by kicking Constable Ronald Quinn (Dan Aykroyd) in a very painful place.

PSA:"American Dope Growers"
A spokeswoman (Laraine Newman) for the American Dope Growers Union urges Americans to buy American-made marijuana so she and other union growers "can lead decent lives and stay off welfare."

She leads her fellow unionized growers in a song that asks dope smokers to "look for the union label"

"Frost-Nixon interviews"
British journalist David Frost (Idle) interviews former President Nixon for 20 hours about his role in the Watergate scandal and other aspects of his presidency. 

Nixon seems detached rom reality as he rambles about trivial moments of his childhood until his daughter Julie (Gilda Radner) steps in and halts the interview.  

Nixon's wife Pat (Jane Curtin) also shows up with their deceased dog Checkers, who is now stuffed.

"Save Great Britain Telethon II"
Idle welcomes viewers back to the telethon and says they're still stuck at $20.00.  He asks viewers to keep pledging and introduces "an English person to play for you, Mr. Alan Price!"

Alan Price:"Poor People"
Alan Performs "Poor People," which was written and recorded by Price for the soundtrack of the 1973 film O Lucky Man and was released as a single. 

Price is backed by Howard Shore and his Bobby Blue Band...who are really SNL's house band dressed in British police "Bobby" costumes.  

Film by Gary Weis:"Body Language"
Idle narrates Weis' film about the importance of body language and the unconscious messages it sends to onlookers. Weis takes his camera to Central Park where he captures different examples of body language.

"Weekend Update"
Anchor Jane Curtin announces that she has won a Pulitzer Prize "for superior achievement, responsibility, and accuracy in reporting." Curtin thanks the judges and says she'll try live up to the standards she's set for Update.

Top news items include:
Former Congresswoman Bella Abzug vomited on CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite's fork as a protest as what she labeled the male-dominated TV news establishment.

 A Philadelphia man has filed a 2-million-dollar malpractice suit against his plastic surgeon.

Bill Murray comments on the recent Supreme Court ruling which declared corporal punishment in public schools to be Constitutional. His commentary mainly consists of Murray telling us about traumatic moments of his adolescence.

Commentator Emily Litella (Radner) delivers an editorial about "air solution." She stops and laughs at herself, calling "air solution" the worst joke she ever had. Emily tells Jane she's been distracted by the romantic feelings she has for Tom Snyder, the host of NBC's Tomorrow show!

Litella tells Jane that she loves Snyder. Her feelings inspire her to sing "I love him, and where he goes I'll swallow!" 

Curtin corrects her and points out the proper lyric is "where he goes I'll follow." Emily is misquoting the song "I Will Follow Him," a hit song recorded by Little Peggy March. Her recording of the song reached #1 on the Hot 100 on April 27, 1963. 

Commercial:"Oxxon Oil"
The narrator (Don Pardo) of this Oxxon Oil commercial informs viewers that they need to keep oil prices high in order to pay for their expensive commercials.

"Heavy Wit Championship"
Boxers Mohammed Stallion (Belushi) and Ray Grimwade face off for the World Heavy Wit Championship. 

In the middle of punching each other, the fighters frequently stop to tell jokes.

Ron Nasty:"Cheese & Onions"
Ron Nasty (Neil Innes), a former member of The Rutles, sings "Cheese & Onions."  

This John Lennon-esque parody song was written by Neil Innes and later released in 1978 on The Rutles' self-titled debut album.

"Battle Of Britain":
A low-budget  British-made WWII movie in which Cynthia (Radner) flashes back to the day her husband Rodney (Aykroyd) went off to war. 

Her flashback leads to another flashback, which leads to yet another, and another, and so on, all taking place in the same living room set.

"Save Great Britain telethon III":
Idle says the telethon is going very well, in spite of being stuck at $20.00. He then introduces "a good friend of mine, Neil Innes."

Neil Innes:"Shangri-La"
"Shangri La" was written by Innes, it was released 19 years after this episode on the Rutles 1996 reunion album Archaeology. Innes performed the song as Ron Nasty on that album.

Talk Show:"Plain Talk"
Written by Eric Idle.
A talk show host (Idle) interviews his guest (Aykroyd). The questions and answers consist of nothing but nonsensical gibberish sentences like "rapidly piddle pop strumming hover peace pudding mouse drum dringly corridor cabinets, presumably."

"Trans Eastern Airlines"
Airline hostess Sherry Norwalk (Newman) deals with passengers who are all armed and threaten her with guns when they ask for help.  Sherry maintains her professional composure in spite of all the firepower.  

"Save Great Britain Telethon IV":
Bill Murray says he'll chug a bottle of grape juice in order to raise money for Britain.  Unfortunately, he can't finish the bottle, so Idle promptly pushes Murray offstage.  

Alan Price:"In Times Like These"
This song appeared on Price's 1974 album Between Today and Yesterday.  

Goodnights:Save Great Britain telethon V:
Idle returns to homebase and announces that during the commercial break, the telethon raised $35,000,000 million, plus John Belushi's vest. All the money came from Exxon, who purchased the Queen. 

Idle reminds viewers that the time will be changing at 2:00 AM that night and wonders why the time change can't occur on a Monday morning instead. Belushi then walks up to Idle and says "goodnight," Idle then says goodnight to the viewers and the credits roll.

Notes about this episode:
"Straight Talk" was written by Eric Idle and originally appeared on the first episode of Rutland Weekend Television. Idle played the interviewer in both versions.  

Queen Elizabeth II is played by Jeanette Charles, who made a career out of playing the monarch due to her physical resemblance. Charles portrayed the Queen dozens of times in various movies and TV series. The year after this episode, she played Queen Elizabeth in The Rutles:All You Need Is Cash, which also featured Idle and Neil Innes as two of the Rutles.

Emily Litella sings "I Will Follow Him" at the end of "Weekend Update." This is the second time the song has been performed on SNL. It was previously sung by host Madeline Kahn and John Belushi in Episode 19 of Season 1. She mentions her love for Tom Snyder here, Litella previously told Jane Curtin about her feelings for Snyder during the cold opening of the 18th episode of Season 2. 

"American Dope Growers Union" is a parody of a PSA for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) that ran for several years in the 1970s and 80s. Here's a video of one of their ads:

Laraine Newman's "Valley Girl" character Sherry Norwalk has mentioned in past sketches that she's an airline stewardess. However, this is the first and only time we see Sherry actually working on a plane.  

If Alan Price's name isn't familiar, you've probably heard his music. Before his solo career, Price co-founded and played keyboards for the Animals. His most notable contribution was playing organ on the Animals' #1 hit single  "The House Of The Rising Son." 

Speaking of musical guests, Neil Innes' career began when he joined the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah band in the 1960s. He later formed the Rutles with Idle when they both were both part of the cast of Rutland Weekend Television. Innes continued to write, record and perform music until his death in 2019 at age 75.  

What stands out:
"Save Great Britain Telethon"-I've always enjoyed episodes SNL that depart from the usual format.  The telethon is a great running bit throughout the episode.

Neil Innes-I'm a big fan of the Rutles and both of Innes' songs would later be recorded by "The Prefab Four."  "Shangri La" is an especially enjoyable performance.  Innes begins singing in front of the Bobby Blue Band.

Later during the song, Innes walks over to another brightly decorated stage where he's supported by backup singers. It makes for a great musical spectacle.  

Frost-Nixon Interviews-Aykroyd is hilarious as a Nixon who has seemingly lost his mind. Idle is equally funny playing an exaggerated version of David Frost.

Idle once said Aykroyd was the only SNL cast member who was capable of being in Monty Python. Aykroyd proves that in this sketch.  

Howard Shore and his Bobby Blue Band-I've said before that I've always enjoyed episodes where the band wears costumes.  Their bobby uniforms make them feel more connected to the rest of the show.  

J.A. Morris' rating:
Another strong Season 2 episode. Idle's second outing as host isn't quite as good as his first appearance, but it's a good episode that never drags. Idle has great chemistry with the Not Ready For Prime Time Players and Innes' performances make this a must-see for Rutles fans. 

4 stars!

Season 2, Episode 19;Host:Elliott Gould, with The McGarrigle Sisters and Roslyn Kind

Aired April 16, 1977.

Cold opening:NBC’s Olympics deal.
Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev (John Belushi) negotiates with NBC executive Herb Goodman (Elliott Gould)  to finalize NBC’s rights to the 1980 Olympic games, which will be held in Moscow.  Brezhnev keeps making more demands of Goodman and threatens to nuke the United States if they’re not met.  

For his last demand, Brezhnev says he wants to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  When Goodman agrees, the deal appears to be done.  Then Brezhnev’s translator (Gilda Radner) says the Soviet leader has one more thing to say.  Brezhnev then announces “Live, from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”

Monologue:”The Castration Walk”
Written by Michael O’Donoghue and Tom Malone.
Host Elliott Gould talks about how he’s performed musical numbers in his two previous SNL monologues.  This time, Gould says he’ll perform a forgotten song from 1927 called “The Castration Walk.”  

John Belushi and Bill Murray join Gould in the performance of the song.

“The Coneheads At Home”
Written by Dan Aykroyd and Tom Davis.
The Coneheads ask a phone technician (Gould) to install 35 phone lines in their house.  

While he works upstairs, the Coneheads receive a surprise visit from Merkon (Garrett Morris), the Messenger of their High Master.  Merkon informs them that their failure to conquer Earth means that the Coneheads are to remain on the planet for another 125 years.

Kate and Anna McGarrigle:”Kiss & Say Goodbye.”
Kate McGarrigle and  her sister Anna perform “Kiss & Say Goodbye.”  This song was written by Kate and served as the opening track on the sisters’ self-titled debut album, which was released in January 1976.  

Talk show:”You’ve Come A Long Way, Buddy.”
“You’ve Come A Long Way, Buddy” is the show created “for men, by men.” Guests include Ted Myers (Aykroyd), who runs an art gallery that only exhibits art created by men, and Sam Montgomery (Belushi), who created a rape hotline...for rapists to call for help after they commit rape.

“Weekend Update”
Anchor Jane Curtin covers the events of the day, which include:

Pres. Carter’s mother Lillian was jailed for spanking her son for his retraction of a $50 federal tax rebate.

Connecticut Governor Ella Grasso met this week with actress Shirley MacLaine to discuss the Equal Rights Amendment. 

Correspondent Bill Murray reports on New York’s Citizens’ Committee’s protest against porn.

Murray says the "huge, throbbing, pulsating crowd" of protesters "sprang erect from nowhere and forced its way" through Midtown Manhattan.

Plus, following Howdy Doody’s recent suicide, reporter Laraine Newman interviews his widow Debbie Doody and asks how she’s dealing with the recent loss of her husband.  

Newman gets tied up in Debbie’s strings!

And Update’s Meteorologist John Belushi explains weather to shut-ins, since they never go outside. 

Belushi’s commentary devolves into a rant about Belushi’s hatred of curry and insurance companies.

“Nick Summers”
Lounge singer Nick Summers (Murray) entertains (and annoys) guests staying at the Breezy Point Lodge.  

Nick takes a break from singing to introduce the audience to the lodge’s fishing and snowmobile guide Jimmy Joe Red Sky (Aykroyd).  

During his set, Nick performs the following songs:

“I Write The Songs” was written by Bruce Johnston and made famous by Barry Manilow, whose recording of the song appeared on his 1976 album Tryin' to Get the Feeling.  Mannilow's version of "I Write The Songs" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

“Sing” was written by Joe Raposo and introduced on Sesame Street in 1971.  The Carpenters' cover of the song was the leadoff track on their 1973 album Now & Then,  It was released as a single and peaked at #3.

PSA:"United Face Bank"
Movie star Joan Crawford (Curtin) pleads for donations on behalf of  the United Face Bank, which provides “face transplants” for people born without a face.  

Crawford then introduces Eldo Johnson, who became a football star when he received a face from an eleven-year-old white girl who was killed in a rockfall.  

Film by Gary Weis:"Sports Violence"
Gary Weis creates a montage of brawls that take place during various sporting events.  The footage is accompanied by Ray Charles’ recording of “America The Beautiful,” the patriotic hymn which was written by Katherine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward.  Charles’ recording appeared on his 1972 album A Message From The People.  

Kate & Anna McGarrigle:“Heart Like A Wheel”
The McGarrigles sing “Heart Like A Wheel,” another track from their debut album.  This song was written by Kate McGarrigle and received its first release when Linda Rondstatd recorded as the title of her album of the same name.  

“ATM Security”
When a man (Murray) owes $200 to another man (Morris), he visits an ATM to get cash.  However, he’s shocked when the machine first asks him to complete a “security test” before he can access his account.

“Natural Causes Restaurant”
Restaurateurs Jason (Aykroyd) and Sunset (Newman) run a restaurant where all the food is made from animals who died of “natural causes.” Menu items include frog legs from a high school biology lab and a seagull that drowned in an oil slick.

Roslyn Kind: “I’m Not Anyone”
Roslyn Kind performs “I’m Not Anyone,” which was written by Paul Anka and first recorded by Sammy Davis Jr. in 1973.  

Home Movie:”Clown Affair”
When a man comes home and finds his wife getting intimate with a clown doll, a fight ensues between the man and the doll!

Commercial:"Pilson’s Feedbag Dinners"
Repeat from Season 2, Episode 9.

Goodnights:
Gould says they have one minute to fill, so Dan Aykroyd says he needs Fat Boy gas tanks for his Harley Davidson motorcycle.  Aykroyd he will "pay you good money" for the tanks.  

Belushi (wearing novelty fake eyes) says hi to his idols, Gayle Sayers and Dick Butkus, who both played for the Chicago Bears.  He hopes Sayers’ knee “gets better.”  

Belushi, Newman and Radner say goodnight to The Tonight Show's Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon and Doc Severensen.  Belushi then tells Gould he’s “the best host we’ve ever had."  Gould shakes John's hand and the credits roll.  

Notes about this episode:

Before the performance of “The Castration Walk,” Elliott Gould says the song was written by “Tommy Malone and Moe Silverfarb.”  Tom Malone, saxophone player for the SNL band wrote the song with Michael O’Donoghue.  

In the Brezhnev cold opening, Gould plays an NBC executive named Herb Goodman.  He previously portrayed Goodman in Season 1's Star Trek sketch.  The character was named after two real-life NBC executives, network president Herbert Schlosser and chairman of the board Julian Goodman.

In between the McGarrigle Sisters second song and the ATM Security sketch, this title card appears onscreen:

This is a reference to Weekend, an irreverent light news magazine show hosted by Lloyd Dobbins that aired on NBC once a month in SNL's timeslot.  Weekend would feature humorous bumper title cards like this one:

Gould was married to Barbra Streisand from 1963 to 1971, they had one son, Jason.  Roslyn Kind is Barbra Streisand’s half-sister.  That’s why Gould refers to Kind as “my son Jason’s aunt” when he introduces her.  

Classic moment:

The debut of Nick The Lounge Singer, Bill Murray’s signature character.  Murray would go on to play Nick in eight more sketches during his tenure on SNL, plus two more times when he returned to host.  

What Stands out:

“Natural Causes Restaurant”-This hilarious sketch features the return of Aykroyd and Newman’s stoner couple Jason and Sunset.  They were previously seen in the thirteenth episode of Season 1.

What doesn’t work:

Following the brilliant restaurant sketch, the show ends with Roslyn Kind’s song, followed by the home movie and a rerun of a pre-filmed commercial parody.  Closing a live show with two filmed segments (one being a repeat) that don't feature anyone in the cast is a weak way to end an otherwise strong show.  

J.A. Morris’ rating:

This is another solid episode, but it’s not quite as good as Gould’s previous outings. The weak ending keeps me from giving it my highest rating:

.5

3 and a half stars.