Aired May 22, 1976.
Cold opening:"Chevy is injured."
Chevy Chase limps out on crutches and says he injured his leg while accepting an Emmy award a few days earlier, which means he can't perform his usual opening fall.
Laraine Newman has agreed to do the fall, even though (in Chevy's opinion) she hasn't been trained to perform pratfalls. Chase also mentions that women in general aren't very good at physical comedy.
Newman arrives on stage, thanks Chevy for the opportunity, takes one of his crutches and pushes him off the stage. Chase then announces "Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!"
Monologue:"Where's Buck"
When it's time for host Buck Henry to perform his opening monologue, Henry is nowhere to be seen. Producer Lorne Michaels learns he's stuck at the front desk, because he doesn't have a pass and the NBC security guard (George Coe) doesn't recognize him.
By the time Lorne gets him upstairs and onstage, director Dave Wilson tells Henry that the show's running behind schedule and Buck only has time to say "we'll be right back!"
Commercial:"Peter Lemon Moodring"
Singer Peter Lemon Moodring changes to different colors that reflect the mood of the songs he performs.
Samurai Tailor:
On the day before his wedding, a customer (Buck Henry) asks a Samurai tailor (John Belushi) to make him a tuxedo. Everything is going smoothly until the tailor makes sleeves that have six buttons instead of one.
"Talk Back, with Frank Nolan"
Frank Nolan (Henry) hosts a call-in show, the topic for the evening is federally supported municipal bonds. When no one calls in, Nolan changes the topic to more controversial topics (like teaching school children that Soviet communism is good for them), hoping to goad angry viewers into calling the show.
Commercial:"Del Stator's $.99 Toad Ranch"
Del Stator (Dan Aykroyd) promotes his restaurant, which promises the best $.99 toad steak they can buy.
Gordon Lightfoot:"Summertime Dream"
Musical guest Gordon Lightfoot performs the title track from his forthcoming album, which was released in June of 1976.
Commercial:"Polaroid Cameras"
In a real (live) commercial, Garrett Morris and Gilda Radner promote Polaroid cameras.
"Weekend Update":
Anchor Chevy Chase reports on the news of the day, which includes:
Pres. Gerald Ford tries four times (unsuccessfully) to shake hands with George Romney.
And the Surgeon General declares Jimmy Carter's teeth dangerous and lethal weapons.
Commercial:"Germasol"
Repeat from Episode 10.
Casting Extras:
A director (Henry) casts extras to play a crowd in a feature film.
Beatles Offer #2:
Saturday Night producer Lorne Michaels reminds viewers of his offer to pay the Beatles $3000 to perform three songs. The recent acclaim and awards SNL has received has given him the ability to increase the offer to the much more generous sum of...$3,200!
Talk Show:"Not For Ladies Only"
Baba Wawa interviews Italian film director Lina Wertmuller.
Film by Gary Weis:"Toilet Seats"
Buck Henry visits a store that sells toilet seats and interviews its staff and customers.
Talk show:"Looks At Books"
Jane Curtin interviews sexologist Henry T. Rudin about his new book titled The Ultimate Expression. Rudin says the book will explain how couples can achieve...the ultimate expression.
Gordon Lightfoot:"Spanish Moss"
Lightfoot sings another song from his Summertime Dream album.
"Only Two Songs!"
When the musical guest begins performing another song, Henry interrupts and tells Lightfoot he only gets to perform two songs. Samurai Futaba (Belushi) cuts the strings on Lightfoot's guitar to make sure he doesn't play another song.
Garrett Morris:"An Die Musik"
Garrett Morris sings "An Die Musik," which was composed by Franz Schubert in 1817, with lyrics taken from a poem written by Franz Von Schober.
During the performance, text scrolls onscreen that explains why Garrett is singing a serious, operatic song in the middle of the show.
Impressionist Michael O'Donoghue:
Impressionist (and SNL writer) Michael O'Donoghue wonders what would happen if someone plunged large steel needles into the eyes of the pop music trio Tony Orlando and Dawn.
He and two women ("impersonating" Dawn) show the audience how Tony Orlando and Dawn would react to such torture.
O'Donoghue and "Dawn" are still writhing on the stage in agony while Buck and the cast arrive onstage to say goodnight.
Notes about this episode:
This is Buck Henry's last appearance during SNL's first season. It's the only season where Henry didn't host the season finale.
What stands out:
"Samurai Tailor"-Another great samurai sketch. Samurai sketches that featured Henry as the "straight" character were always a little better than Samurai sketches that paired John Belushi with other hosts.
"Talk Back, with Frank Nolan"-Henry is great in this solo sketch. Frank Nolan gets increasingly desperate for people to call in and Henry makes his desperation feel palpable.
"Del Stator's $.99 Toad Ranch"-Dan Aykroyd performs another fast-talking pitchman in this great commercial parody.
Garrett Morris' performance of "An Die Musik"-This is a reminder that Morris had an amazing voice. He should've been given more chances to show off his voice during his time on SNL.
J.A. Morris' rating:
Buck Henry's first appearance on the show featured several classic moments ("Samurai Delicatesen," "An Oval Office," "Citizen Kane II") and was one of the best shows of the season. This episode is good, but it's not quite as strong as Henry's earlier show.
3 stars.
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