Season 3, Episode 8;Host Miskel Spillman, with Elvis Costello and Buck Henry

Aired December 17, 1977.
Network announcement:
Don Pardo tells viewers that “How The Grinch Raped And Strangled Christmas” will not be seen tonight, so that NBC may present the following special program."

Cold opening:"The host is high!"
In SNL's locker room, John Belushi and Laraine Newman are discussing this week's host, 80-year-old grandmother Miskel Spillman, winner of the Anyone Can Host contest. Buck Henry walks in and says Miskel is "currently lying on her back looking at a bowl of fruit with her radio turned on full blast." Belushi says the host was a bit nervous, so he shared a joint with Spillman, telling her it was a French cigarette. 

Buck is furious and points out that Belushi's joints are potent "even for an experienced drug user like me!" Henry is worried, since he has to walk on stage and introduce the host "in a minute." Belushi responds "less than a minute, Buck...’cause we’re live, from New York, it’s Saturday Night!"

Monologue:"Meet the Anyone Can Host Winner"
Buck and Miskel arrive on homebase, where Henry announces her as the winner. She's still carrying the aforementioned bowl of fruit, apparently still high. Spillman says "it seems like everything's in slow motion! I mean, am I making sense? Or am I blowing it? I don’t know, I can’t tell."

Henry repeatedly attempts to take the fruit bowl away from her, but Miskel swats him away. 

Commercial:"Meat Wagon Action Track Set"
The Meat Wagon Action Track is the most exciting road race game ever! 

When the cars crash and burn, the meat wagon rushes to the scene to save the victims!

PSA:"American Date the Self-Concious Association"
The American Date the Self-Concious Association presents a re-enactment of a date between two self-conscious people (Bill Murray and Gilda Radner). 

A spokesperson (Newman) for the association says a relationship between the two wouldn't work. She encourages the self-conscious to date members of the Extremely Obnoxious Coalition, who are represented by Charlie Glatt (Belushi).

"The Gift of the Magi"
Jane Curtin and Miskel narrate at retelling of O'Henry's classic Christmas story "The Gift Of The Magi." In this version, Robert donates his kidney to his ailing wife Helen and sells his antique watch, a family heirloom, in order to pay for the transplant operation. 

When Helen survives the operation, Robert is NOT pleased with the gift she gives him.

Elvis Costello:"Watching The Detectives"
Elvis Costello, backed by his band the Attractions, performs "Watching The Detectives," which was issued as a standalone single in the UK on October 14, 1977. 

It was released in the United States in November of that year and appeared on the U.S. release of Costello's album My Aim Is True, which was released in March of 1978.

"Weekend Update"
Co-anchors Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin report on the top news stories of the day, which include:
The cover of Ms.magazine features a "very pregnant" Pres. Jimmy Carter. The President says "the cover is a hoax and that "he hasn't been pregnant since he had Amy 10 years ago."

Jane then calls the White House seeking an update on Carter's meeting with Israel's Prime Minister. She has a brief conversation with the President. 

When the camera pans out, we see that she's actually been talking to her fellow anchor (and SNL's Carter impressionist) Dan Aykroyd.

Bill Murray reviews the classic Christmas film Miracle On 34th Street and criticizes it for not taking a firm stand on the existence of Santa Claus. 

Bill also shows off his copy of the book Movies On TV, and thanks Santa for bringing it last year.

Plus, Jane and Dan are delivered a late-breaking story by NBCs Dancing N. 

It turns out that inside the N is none other than Emily Litella! Miss Litella wonders why she hasn't been on Update in months, so she's given one more chance.

TV show:"Sartresky and Hutch"
This cop show features tough cop Hutch (Belushi) and existential cop Jean-Paul Sartresky (Aykroyd). 

When Rusty Kramer, an old friend of Hutch, goes insane and threatens to blow up a bank, Sartesky and Hutch use their different approaches to talk him out of it. 

"The Franken and Davis Show"
Al Franken has brought his parents to the show in honor of the holiday season. He then serenades them with a song he wrote to express his love. 

His mother Mimi responds by bringing up a very embarrassing incident from Al's childhood. Franken explodes in anger over this, prompting Tom Davis to apologize, to no avail. 

TV show:"E. Buzz Miller's Art Classics"
Written by Dan Aykroyd and Tom Davis.

Public Access Cable host E. Buzz Miller (Aykroyd) and his girlfriend Christi Christina (Newman) analyze classic nude paintings and sculptures. Miller is particularly amused by the name Titian, which he mispronounces in a way that emphasizes the first three letters.

"New girlfriend"

When Jeff (Belushi) brings his live-in girlfriend Sharon (Spillman) home for Christmas, his parents (Curtin and Aykroyd) are reluctant to let them stay in the same bedroom. 

Mom and Sharon have a heart-to-heart about her and Jeff's relationship. 

"Mr. Santa"
A drunken mall Santa (Murray) tells a little girl (Radner) she can't have any of the toys she asks for...

 ...and drops her on the floor using "Santa's trap door." 

"Mr. Mike's Coral Waters Cafe"
Written by Michael O'Donoghue.

Laraine Newman walks into the Coral Waters Cafe, where Mr. Mike (Michael O'Donoghue) is bartending. She is drunk and disheveled and asks Mr. Mike to tell her one of his "least-loved bedtime tales." 

He says that he'll tell her a tale if she sings the aria from Madame Butterfly. While she sings, Mr. Mike makes her a cocktail called a Soiled Kimono and the recipe and history of the drink scroll onscreen. 

Madame Butterfly was composed by Giacomo Puccini and premiered February 17, 1904.

Elvis Costello:"Less Than Zero"/"Radio Radio"
Costello begins his second set by singing "Less Than Zero," his debut single which was released March 11, 1977. He then stops the song abruptly, declaring "there's no reason to do this song here." 

Costello and the Attractions then launch into a performance of "Radio Radio," which was released as a single on October 20, 1978. 

Goodnights:
Miskel appears on homebase wearing a Mrs. Claus costume. She thanks everyone who voted for her and says "I've had the most wonderful time I've ever had in my life, everyone is so wonderful!" 

She then thanks her daughter Janine Baker and invites her onstage. Janine kisses Spillman and says "Merry Christmas!" The cast then joins them onstage for goodnights.

While the credits roll, Bill Murray, still wearing his Santa suit, gives Miskel a kiss.

In honor of the holidays, the cameras pan behind the scenes so the crew in can be front of the camera for a change.

Notes about this episode:

This episode is best remembered not for its host, but for Elvis Costello switching to "Radio, Radio" after singing the beginning of "Less Than Zero." 

For those don't know, all song titles and lyrics are given to NBC prior to performances. Saturday Night Live is strictly timed, so a different song could have thrown off the show's schedule. Over the years, Costello has told different stories about why he did it.

In 1989, on the occasion of SNL's 15th anniversary, he talked to Rolling Stone:

"After watching rehearsals, Costello says he decided the SNL players weren’t nearly as funny as they thought they were, but he didn’t completely sour on the show until “[Dan Aykroyd] came up and tried to act like he was a janitor to us, and they all had a big laugh at our expense because we didn’t recognize him. And I said, ‘Who’s the mug here? If you think you’re so damn famous, it’s kind of stupid because we’ve never heard of you any more than you’ve heard of us.’ I think that’s what started the ball rolling.” [1]

Elvis and the Attractions suspected they were treated badly because they were substituting for the Sex Pistols, whose visa problems kept them from entering the U.S. 

In 2013, he told Details magazine he was inspired by Jimi Hendrix:

"I was copying Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix had done the same thing on the Lulu Show, when he went into an unscheduled number."[2]

In 2021, Costello said his record company wanted him to play "Less Than Zero," but resented being told what to play:
"I didn’t really have anything against the show. I was more pissed off at being told what to play by the record company than I was NBC, truthfully. I can’t remember whether I said what I was going to do, but I think I just said, ‘Watch me.'” [3]

I don't know if Costello was really "officially banned" from SNL (in spite of lots of claims on the internet that a banning occurred), but he didn't appear again until 1989. In 1999, during the series' 25th anniversary special, Costello (backed by the Beastie Boys) recreated  the incident:

During "Radio, Radio," Attractions drummer Pete Thomas is wearing a t-shirt that says "Thanks Malc." 

This is a reference to Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, who screwed up the Pistols' visas, which led to Costello's booking. 

Classic moment:
John Belushi says "But NOOO!"-He says this during "The Gift Of The Magi." This is the first time he said it on SNL, it would later become a catchphrase Belushi screamed during his "Weekend Update" commentaries. 

What stands out:
"Sartesky and Hutch"-Dan Aykroyd is hilarious in this sketch as Jean-Paul Sartesky. How many comedy shows have parodied Sartre's existential philosophy? 

"E. Buzz Miller's Art Classics"-Aykroyd is hilariously sleazy in this sketch, Laraine Newman is also great as Buzz's girlfriend Christi Christina. 

"Meat Wagon Action Track Set"-This is a great toy commercial parody. At the end of the ad, we're told that the track set is manufactured by Mainway, a nice callback to Irwin Mainway, who previously appeared in Christmas and Halloween sketches.

What doesn't work:
"The Gift Of The Magi"-This sketch introduced a catchphrase, but it's a bit too long and the whole point is to get to Belushi physically abusing Radner, something we've seen before. 

J.A. Morris' rating:
This is a good Christmas episode and most of the sketches are fun, if not great. Miskel Spillman doesn't do a lot, but she has a charming presence and does okay when she appears in sketches. Episode 8 is also an improvement over the previous three episodes.

.5

3 and a half stars.

Sources:

[1] "Elvis Costello and the SNL Weinies" by Mark Lasswell, Rolling Stone, October 5, 1989. 

[2]Elvis Costello Recalls Being Banned from SNL After Copying Jimi Hendrix: I Said 'Watch Me', By Darlene Aderoju, People, February 3, 2021.

https://people.com/music/elvis-costello-recalls-being-banned-from-snl-after-copying-jimi-hendrix/
[3]Elvis Costello Recalls SNL Stunt That Got Him Banned: ‘I Just Wanted Them to Remember Us’, by Heran Mamo, Billboard, January 25, 2021.

Season 2, Episode 22;Host:Buck Henry, with Jennifer Warnes, Kenny Vance and impressionist Michael O'Donoghue

Aired May 25, 1977. 

Cold opening:"A Fireside Chat With President Carter"
Pres. Jimmy Carter is seen on a stationary bicycle. He says he's using the bike to generate all the power in the White House in order to demonstrate his commitment to a cleaner energy policy. 

His wife Roslyn (Laraine Newman) says it's her turn to power the broadcast, so she takes her husband's place on the bicycle.  While they change over, the video broadcast gets a little fuzzy.

The President then says it's time for his mother Lillian (Gilda Radner) to run the generator. Miss Lillian has a bit of trouble getting on the bike, which cause the transmission to go blank. Her son encourages Lillian to keep peddling long enough for him to finish his address about energy.

After receiving more encouragement, she says she'd do "anything for Jimmy, anything!" She is able to summon enough strength to keep the bike moving and keep the broadcast on the air. Lillian then announces "Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!"

Monologue:"A live sex act"
Host Buck Henry talks about how Saturday Night has broken TV taboos and doesn't play by the rules. Henry wants to continue that tradition by performing "a live sex act" with a member of the audience. The mainstage is covered with props for the occasion, including a bullwhip, a foldaway bed and a vat of cottage cheese.

The camera pans over the audience as Buck makes his selection. He invites a woman to join him onstage. However, the large man next to her believes Henry selected him. The man then rushes the stage and slams Buck onto the bed!

"Samurai BMOC"
A samurai (John Belushi) who is struggling academically begs the Dean of Students (Henry) to give him passing grades so he can graduate. When the dean refuses, the samurai takes drastic measures. 

Jennifer Warnes:"Right Time Of The Night"
Jennifer Warnes performs "Right Time Of The Night," which was written by Peter McCann and appeared on her self-titled 1977 album.  

The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100.  

"Shower Mic"
Written by Bill Murray and Gilda Radner.
Richard Herkiman (Bill Murray) hosts a talk show in his shower, talking and singing into soap shaped like a microphone. Richard's wife Jane (Radner) joins him in the shower.

Herkiman says he has a "surprise guest" on today's show. The guest turns out to be Richard Calarski, who has been having an affair with Jane for years!"

Richard and his "guests" perform the following songs in the shower:
"Something," written by George Harrison and performed by the Beatles. It appeared on their Abbey Road album and was released as a single on October 6, 1969. "Something" reached #1 on the Pop charts in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and West Germany. 

"On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" was written by Burton Lane and Alan Jay Lerner for their 1965 Broadway musical of the same name.

"My Way," which was adapted by Paul Anka from the French song "Comme d'habitude." Frank Sinatra recorded the best known version of "My Way" and his recording reached #27 on the Hot 100. 

"Return Of The Coneheads"
The Coneheads are called back to their home planet of Remulak by their High Master Kuldroth (Belushi). The Coneheads then drive to the Chrysler Building which turns out to be the rocket ship that takes them home!

When they arrive on Remulak, Kuldroth informs Connie (Newman) that he has selected her to be his bride. Connie objects, but is powerless to disobey the High Master.

"Weekend Update"
Anchor Jane Curtin's top story:
Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra have kidnapped Patricia Hearst, and forced her to join their nightclub act. The three are now appearing in Las Vegas as Tanya & The Meatballs. 

From City Hall, "crack political reporter" Emily Litella (Radner) interviews Congresswoman Bella Abzug about her plans to run for the United States Senate. Litella asks if "Stella Abzug" will "throw her cat into the ring." 

And Buck Henry, on behalf of the Council of Television Journalists presents Jane with the America’s Outstanding Television Journalist award. Curtin is touched by the award, until she realizes it's just Buck's way of coming on to her.

"Rhonda's Bridal Shower"
Friends of Rhonda Weiss (Radner) throw her a kitchen-themed bridal shower. Rhonda's gifts include a melon baller and an egg tweezer. 

Talk show:"How Your Children Grow"
Jane Curtin interviews behavioral scientist Dr. Richard Dalton (Henry) about his research in learning disabilities. Dalton is accompanied by his assistant Francine (Radner), who verbally punctuates everything Dalton says and "draws" punctuation marks in the air. 

Dalton is accompanied by another assistant (Newman) who keeps ringing a bell, which prompts Francine to give a cookie to Curtin!

Home movie by William Wegman:"Alarm B"
This short film features a dog being woken up by an alarm clock.

Kenny Vance:"The Performer"
Kenny Vance sings "The Performer," which was released as the B-Side of Vance's single "Looking For An Echo" in 1977. 

"Lucky Lindy"
During his 1927 record-setting international flight, Charles Lindbergh (Henry) begins to lose his mind after spending 33 hours alone in his airplane. He fears that he will crash into "the icy deeps of the North Atlantic."

Suddenly, he hears a voice. It turns out to be a shark (Chevy Chase)! A Land Shark, to be exact, which means Lindbergh is close to his destination.

Saturday Night Live Band:"Departure Lounge:"
SNL's house band performs "Departure Lounge," which was composed by their bandleader Howard Shore.

Impressionist Michael O'Donoghue
"Extraordinary impressionist" Michael O'Donoghue wonders what would happen if someone took sharp eighteen inch-long needles and shoved them into the eyes of every member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

O'Donoghue thinks that "it might go something like this:

The choir and O'Donoghue writhe around the stage in agony.

Goodnights:
The host, cast, Chevy Chase and O'Donoghue gather at homebase. Henry says "Goodnight, have a good summer. Thanks to my guest, the shark!" 

The Land Shark then "eats" Buck Henry's head.

The camera zooms in on the shark's mouth to reveal Chevy's face as the credits roll. 

Notes about this episode:
This began SNL's tradition of Buck Henry hosting every season finale. This was because everyone was burned out by this point of the season and Henry was easy to please and willing to do any sketch that writers had in their inventory. 

If you haven't seen this episode, Chevy Chase's appearance was not announced in the credits. He just shows up as the Land Shark during "Lucky Lindy." 

During the Coneheads sketch, Buck Henry is still visibly wet from the previous "Shower Mike" sketch.

Speaking of the Coneheads, they leave Earth in "Return Of The Coneheads" because the sketch was meant to be the end of the characters. Nevertheless, they returned in Season 3.

Bella Abzug plays herself in the interview with Emily Litella. For those who aren't familiar with her, Abzug was a prominent Women's Liberation activist during the era of Second-wave feminism. She also served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and headed Pres. Jimmy Carter's  National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year. Abzug died of breast cancer in 1998.

Bella Abzug speaks at a 1976 press conference (photo by Diana Mara Henry)

Until watching this episode, I must admit I wasn't familiar with the name Kenny Vance. He's had quite an amazing career writing songs, performing in the band Jay and the Americans, producing albums and acting in several films. Vance also served as SNL's musical director during its 1980-81 season. He still performs today in a band called Kenny Vance and the Planotones.

What stands out:
"Return Of The Coneheads"-This is the best (and longest) Coneheads sketch so far. It features two sets and a filmed portion that shows the Coneheads driving through the streets of New York City. It makes you wonder what passersby thought of them in 1977. 

"Lucky Lindy"-A great showcase for Henry made even funnier by the surprise appearance of the Land Shark.

Kenny Vance-I enjoyed Vance's performance of  "The Performer." It's a nice up-tempo number, something SNL needed more of from its musical guests during the first two seasons.

J.A Morris' rating:
Another solid episode and a great way to close out Season 2. Buck Henry once again shows he has great chemistry with the Not Ready For Prime Time Players and this episode gets my highest rating.

4 stars!