Aired March 13, 1976.
Cold opening:"No filler"
Chevy Chase is offended that some viewers have written letters that accuse the cast and writers of creating "filler" to pad out the show.
After padding the show with filler for a few minutes, he leans back in his chair, falls down, knocks over his desk and announces "Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!"
Monologue:
Anthony Perkins wants people to know he's not creepy like the characters he's played in movies. He tells the audience that Saturday Night will give him the chance to show the public what "just plain Tony Perkins" is really like.
"A President's View On Marijuana 1":
Pres. Gerald Ford (Chase) figures that if marijuana is going to be legalized, he should know how to smoke it. However, Ford gets confused while trying to roll a joint.
"Hello, Dolly! Therapy":
A psychiatrist (Perkins) helps his patient (Jane Curtin) work through her problems by getting her to sing the title song from the Broadway musical Hello, Dolly!
"Cleaning Freak":
Mrs. Zimmerman (Gilda Radner) mistakenly hires a dominatrix (Curtin) to clean her house.
Commercial:"Norman Bates School Of Hotel Management"
Written by Michael O'Donoghue.
Norman Bates (Perkins, reprising his character from the movie Psycho) promotes his new school where he will teach applicants how to operate motels.
"Muppets Part I":
Muppets King Ploobis (Jim Henson) and Scred (Jerry Nelson) are upset because their "Land Of Gorch" set has been dismantled and they feel like they're being phased out of the show. Since Perkins is host, the Muppets ask him to help them get back on the show.
Betty Carter:"Music Maestro, Please/Swing Brother Swing"
This medley was the lead track on Carter's 1976 album Now It's My Turn. "Music Maestro, Please" was written by Allie Wrubel and Herb Magidson. It was originally recorded by Gene Austin in 1938. "Swing Brother Swing," written by Clarence Williams, Walter Bishop and Lewis Raymond, was originally recorded by Wingy Mannone & His Orchestra in 1935.
"A President's View On Marijuana #2":
Pres. Ford's inability to properly smoke marijuana continues.
"Weekend Update":
Chevy Chase reports that Sec. Of State Henry Kissinger has been accused of leaking information to the press.
Plus, Weekend Update meteorologist John Belushi discusses how "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb," but "behaves" differently in other countries.
And Emily Litella (Radner) phones in a commentary about "conserving natural racehorses."
Commercial:"Land Is Scarce"
With land being rare and expensive, people are encouraged to use their head.
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| SNL Writer Alan Zweibel stars in the "Land Is Scarce" commercial. |
Two Co-workers (Perkins and Radner) who barely know each other meet after work and consider having an affair.
"Muppets Part 2":
Scred shows off his impression of Emily Litella and says he could play her on Weekend Update.
"A President's View On Marijuana #3":
Ford still can't figure out how to smoke marijuana.
"Film by Gary Weis":
The filmmaker looks at how five New Yorkers interact with their pets.
"Sherry's term paper":
A high school student named Sherry (Laraine Newman) is upset because her teacher (Perkins) gave her term paper a "Bee" (Belushi).
"Anthony Perkins' Post-Psycho films":
The host plays trailers for cheap horror movies he appeared in after Psycho.
Home Movie:"P-nut Fever"
After a man eats half a bag of peanuts, the remaining peanuts come to life and decide to kill him with a meat cleaver.
Betty Carter:"I Can't Help It"
This song was written by Carter and appeared on her 1958 album Out There.
"Butt County Highway TV Dance Party":
The teenagers of Butt County compete in a dance contest...which is really just a way for county sheriff Rick Phillips (Perkins) to catch teen offenders who have outstanding criminal offenses.
Goodnights:
Scred and Ploobis interrupt Perkins' goodnight and try to perform a comedy routine. The Muppets get frustrated when they realize the closing credits are rolling!
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Classic moment:
John Belushi's first Weekend Update commentary-His angry update spots were a major factor in Belushi becoming a breakout star. This commentary about March "coming in like a lion, going out like a lamb" is hilarious.
What stands out:
"Cleaning Freak"-Jane Curtin is great in this sketch. She usually played the "straight" character in sketches like this, so it's nice to see her getting the more comedic role. It's a shame she didn't get to play more roles like this on SNL. Gilda Radner also has some funny lines, which I won't "spoil."
"Norman Bates School Of Hotel Management":
Anthony Perkins is very funny in this commercial parody. It's great to see Perkins reprise and parody the role that made him a star.
"The Muppets":Their scenes with Perkins are funny. I especially enjoyed Scred's Emily Litella impersonation.
J.A. Morris' rating:
Perkins rarely played comedic roles but he's very funny in this episode and has good chemistry with the Not Ready For Prime Time Players and the Muppets. This isn't a "classic" episode but it's an enjoyable step up from the previous show.
3 stars.
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