Season 3, episode 20;Host:Buck Henry, with Sun Ra

 Aired May 20, 1978.

Network disclaimer:"The Boy In The Plastic Pantsuit"
Don Pardo announces that "The Boy In The Plastic Pantsuit will not be seen tonight, so that NBC may bring you following special program."

Cold opening:"Nixon's memoirs"
Former President Richard Nixon (Dan Aykroyd) addresses the nation about his new book of memoirs. He says the book isn't selling well because Americans are still angry over his Watergate scandal.

Nixon mentions the time he said “You won’t have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore!” In this spirit, he suggests people buy the book so they can kick it. The ex-Pres. then asks one of his Marine Honor Guards (Garrett Morris) to kick the book like a football. 

When the book has been kicked, Nixon looks into the camera and says "Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!" 

Monologue:"Why is Buck hosting"
Host Buck Henry supposes the audience is wondering why he hosts so often. He says it's because SNL gains "a sense of class" from him. Buck then talks about writing and directing a new film with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie. 

While Henry talks, text scrolls onscreen, telling viewers that Buck doesn't know Beatty and Christie and his career is over and that he's only hosting because Saturday Night feels sorry for Henry.

"Nerds prom"
Written by Anne Beatts and Rosie Shuster.
Before attending prom, Lisa Loopner's (Gilda Radner) mother Enid (Jane Curtin) gives her daughter a talk about "the birds and the bees."

Her prom date Todd (Bill Murray) then arrives, and gives Lisa "prom noogies!"

"Samurai TV Repairman" 
Mr. Dantley (Henry) brings his broken TV to a repairman (John Belushi) who happens to be a samurai. 

Everything is going okay until the samurai learns that the defective television was inspected in Japan by his mother.

"Sodom Chamber Of Commerce"
In the ancient city of Sodom, it's mayor (Henry) hires a man named Noab (Murray) to improve the city's image.

"Weekend Update"
Anchors Jane Curtin and Dan Aykroyd report on the top news stories of the day. 

Stargazer Bill Murray reviews the new film The Greek Tycoon.

In Point/Counter-Point, Dan and Jane debate the merits of jogging.

"Olympia Cafe"
When a neighboring business is robbed, Olympia owner Pete (Belushi) plans to rent a Doberman to provide after-hours security for the cafe.

"Mr. Mike's Least-Loved Music"
Written by Michael O'Donoghue and Howard Shore.
Mr. Mike (Michael O'Donoghue) performs "Baby Ghouls." The song tells a tale of dead little girls who come out of their graves to feed on the living.

Talk show:"More Insects To Worry About"
Joan Face (Curtin) interviews entomologist Russell Bedanza. He discusses dangerous insects such as the Mucus-Flinging Lawn Maggot and Common Crotch Wasp.

"Stunt Puppy"
Written by Al Franken and Tom Davis.
During production of a movie about animal abuse, a stunt puppy is brought in to be hurled around the room during the violent scenes. 

"Bad Conceptual Art"
Written by Tom Schiller.
Host Leonard Pinth-Garnell (Aykroyd) introduces an excerpt of "Pavlov Video Chicken 1," a performance piece that features a woman (Radner) dancing like a chicken for 378 consecutive hours.

The Franken and Davis Show:
Al Franken and Tom Davis appear onstage wearing sumo wrestling outfits. Before performing, they introduce Al's wife and son and "the girl Tom lives with." 

However, Tom says he can't live a lie anymore and announces that he and Franken are "homosexual lovers." Al is furious, says his life is ruined and that he will make Davis regret this revelation. 

Sun Ra and his Arkestra:"Space Is The Place, "Space-Loneliness"
Sun Ra and his Arkestra perform the title track of their 1973 album Space Is The Place. 

After that, the Arkestra plays "Space Loneliness." It was released as a single in1960.

Goodnights:
Buck, the cast and the Arkestra appear onstage and the host says "goodnight folks, they'll all be back in the fall, or not. See you then!"

Notes about this episode:

This is Buck Henry's then-record sixth time hosting. 

Here's a promo Henry recorded for this episode:

What stands out:
"Nerds prom"-This is a great sketch and Buck Henry as Todd's father is perfect casting. Italso features what today would be called "world building", with details revealed about Lisa's deceased father.

"Samurai TV Repairman"-This isn't very different from previous Buck/Samurai pairings, but it's always fun to see Belushi and Henry play off each other. 

Sun Ra and his Arkestra-What a great way to end Season 3! Sun Ra & company give one of the best musical performances in SNL history. I can't believe a major network booked the Arkestra in 1978.

What doesn't work:
"More Insects To Worry About"-This isn't a bad sketch, but it's basically the same as the previous installment, the only difference being that Henry plays the bug expert instead of Belushi.

J.A. Morris' rating:
This is a very enjoyable episode that features several recurring characters and an amazing musical performance. Season 3 ends on a high note.

4 stars!

Season 3, episode 19;Host:Richard Dreyfuss, with Jimmy Buffett and Gary Tigerman

Aired May 13, 1978.

Cold opening:"Paraquat"
100 tons of paraquat-treated marijuana is tracked from Mexico all the way to New York. 

Finally, it makes its way to NBC's Studio 8H, where a joint that contains paraquat is handed to Bill Murray. Murray takes a few puffs...

...then croaks out "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night."

Monologue:"Hamlet"
Host Richard Dreyfuss appears onstage, carrying his Best Actor Oscar and wearing an Elizabethan costume. He says John Belushi believed Richard Burton deserved the Oscar and mentions that Burton played Hamlet. Dreyfuss says he will perform a soliloquy from Hamlet. 

In the middle of this, Belushi comes onstage and berates Richard, accusing him of looking down on SNL's cast. 

"Cone Encounters Of The Third Kind"

Roy Neary (Dreyfuss) has built a sculpture with a cone on top, but can't figure out why. 

When Roy sees Beldar Conehead (Dan Aykroyd) on TV, he tracks down the alien, thinking Beldar's cone is connected to the sculpture. Unfortunately for both of them, in the midst of all this, the Coneheads' leader High Master Kuldroth (Belushi) arrives.

Introduction 1:
Dreyfuss appears onstage to introduce Jimmy Buffett. However, Richard gets distracted when he hears the Jaws theme and looks around to see where it's coming from.

Jimmy Buffett:"Son Of A Son Of A Sailor"
Jimmy Buffett performs the title track of his album Son Of A Son Of A Sailor, which was released on March 17, 1978.

"Sex Test"
Dreyfuss hosts a show that's "designed to promote good sexual health by dealing with some of the most common questions and misconceptions surrounding sex."

"Weekend Update"
Anchors Jane Curtin and Dan Aykroyd report on the top news stories of the day.

Jane apologizes for her past harsh reactions to Update contributors like Emily Litella, John Belushi and Roseanne Roseannadanna. Jane says that from now on, she will not lose her dignity or overreact to her fellow correspondents.

Stargazer Bill Murray criticizes the Academy Awards for giving the Best Actor Oscar to Richard Dreyfuss.

Correspondent Roseanne Roseannadanna (Gilda Radner) responds to a letter that asks if she believes in UFOs. Roseanne responds by telling how she stumbled on a pornographic movie at a drive-in theater. 

Since she's trying to be more tolerant, Jane does everything in her power not to let Roseanne get under her skin.

"Nick Springs"
Lounge singer Nick Springs (Murray) entertains and talks to guests in the Honeymoon Room at the Pocomont Hotel. During his set, Nick performs the following songs:

"Love To Love You Baby," which was written by Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte, and Donna Summer. Summer's recording of the song reached #2 on Billboard's Hot 100.

"Poison Ivy" was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The Coasters' 1959 recording of "Poison Ivy" reached #1 on the R&B chart and #7 on the Pop chart.

"Hava Nagila" is a Jewish folk song written in 1918. It is traditionally sung during celebratory occasions. 

"Close Encounters Theme" was composed by John Williams and reached #13 on the Pop chart.

"Argument"
Judi (Newman) and her boyfriend (Dreyfuss) argue about a salad he just ate. As the argument proceeds, they keep pointing out things about each other that bother them.

Talk show:"The David Susskind Show"
In honor of Mother's Day, David Susskind interviews three celebrities and their mothers.

Introduction 2:

Dreyfuss begins to introduce Gary Tigerman, but once again, he hears the Jaws theme and gets distracted.

Gary Tigerman:"White Oaxacan Moon"
Gary Tigerman sings "White Oaxacan Moon." 

Father Guido Sarducci:
Fr. Guido Sarducci (Don Novello), rock critic and gossip columnist for the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, talks about various religious topics, including the Pope's new encyclical and Jesus' stepbrother "Billy Christ."

Richard Dreyfuss:"Seduced"
The host performs "Seduced," which was written by Gary Tigerman. The song has been covered by several artists, including Peggy Lee and Leon Redbone. Dreyfuss sings the song while seated atop Paul Shaffer's piano.

Goodnights:
Richard (still seated on the piano) says "Thank you very much for coming, I hope you enjoyed the show!" Suddenly, the Jaws music starts playing and Dreyfuss is eaten by the Land Shark!

The Not Ready For Prime Time Players then surround Dreyfuss and the credits roll.

Notes about this episode:

As far as I can tell, based on my research, musical guest Gary Tigerman never released "White Oaxacan Moon" on any single or album. 

Classic moment:
Debut of Father Guido Sarducci-Don Novello's priest character would become an SNL mainstay during Seasons 4 and 5, appearing regularly on "Weekend Update." 

What stands out:
"Cone Encounters Of The Third Time"-Putting the Coneheads in a "Close Encounters" sketch with Dreyfuss makes perfect sense. It's also nice to see John Belushi portray Kuldroth again.

"Nick Springs"-A great "Nick" sketch, highlighted by his performance of the "Close Encounters" theme, with lyrics!

Roseanne Roseannadanna-Another solid Update commentary, made better by Jane Curtin's attempt to not get angry.

What doesn't work:In the "Paraquat" opening, John Belushi and Gilda Radner play Mexicans. Later, in "The David Susskind Show," Radner plays the mother of Leon Spinks. Neither of these sketches have aged well. 

J.A. Morris' rating:
This episode features multiple sketches with popular recurring characters and Richard Dreyfuss was a good host and a good sport with all the Oscars, Jaws and Close Encounters jokes. Another strong Season 3 episode.

4 stars!