Saturday Night Live's Top 10 Episodes of the 1970s
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- 1975– 1h 6mTV-148.7 (213)TV EpisodeDirectorDave WilsonJames SignorelliStarsSteve MartinDan AykroydJohn BelushiThe host for the episode is Steve Martin (his fifth appearance), and the musical guest is The Blues Brothers (their second appearance). The skits for this episode are as follows: Concert promoter Don Kirschner presents footage of an old club performance by The Blues Brothers. For his opening monologue, Steve Martin talks about the inspiration for his comedy ideas, then does a magic act that ends with him tackling and beating a member of the audience. The Festrunk brothers prepare their apartment for the two girls they believe are on the way, but their neighbor Cliff tells them they've been stood up. Medieval doctor Theodoric of York treats a series of patients by draining their blood. A man and woman catch each other's notice in a crowded club, and dance together romantically as the rest of the club freezes in place around them. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain and Dan Aykroyd debate abortion, Jane reports on Carter's energy policy and a new nasal contraceptive, and Dan berates Garrett Morris for short-changing him on the weed he bought. Steve performs a song about King Tut. The Nerds Todd and Lisa prepare their science fair projects. The Blues Brothers perform "I Don't Know".
- 1975– 1h 6mTV-148.3 (363)TV EpisodeDirectorDave WilsonStarsRichard PryorGil Scott-HeronShelley R. BonusThe host for the episode is Richard Pryor, and the musical guest is Gil Scott-Heron. The skits for this episode are as follows: Garrett Morris tricks Chevy Chase into taking a bad fall during a skit. Richard Pryor does an opening monologue about why he doesn't drink or take LSD. A man checks into a hotel managed by a samurai who speaks no English. A black author talks about his latest book in which he disguises himself as white. A woman tries to identify her attacker from a series of stacked line-ups. An interview for a job using word association turns racially tense. Two men discuss a hockey game while playing Pong. A father complaining that blacks are taking over is oblivious to the fact that his entire family has turned black. A major accidentally uses a piece of new equipment that was intended for emergencies. In a sequel to The Exorcist, Regan manages to push both priests over the edge. Albert Brooks tries to make another film while sick in bed. Richard Pryor witnesses a conspiracy theorist get gunned down just before announcing the truth about the JFK assassination. Shelly Pryor sings a song about carousel horses. During the Weekend Update, Chevy Chase comments on homosexuality in sports, Kissinger's accent, and Franco's continuing death. Emily Litella delivers an impassioned speech on busting children. Gil Scott-Heron performs "Johannesburg" and "A Lovely Day".
- DirectorDave WilsonGary WeisEric IdleStarsPaul SimonDan AykroydJohn BelushiThe host for the episode is Paul Simon (his second appearance), and the musical guest is George Harrison. The skits for this episode are as follows: George Harrison feels that he should receive the $3000 Lorne Michaels promised the Beatles for appearing on the show, while Paul Simon has doubts about the costume he's been asked to wear. Paul Simon starts to sing "Still Crazy After All These Years" dressed as a turkey, but gives up halfway through and tells Lorne he won't do it. A housewife raves about mineral-packed Quarry cereal. Baba Wawa interviews Henry Kissenger. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain reports on contraceptives, expenditures by the Carter campaign, Morris the Cat's attempted suicide, and a new strain of gonorrhea. Rod Serling presents an episode of the Twilight Zone in which three actresses end up in a motel room with a television show presenter. A violent renegade named Billy Paul fights racism at an ice cream parlor. Paul Simon performs "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover", "Something So Right" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Paul Simon and George Harrison perform "Here Comes the Sun" and "Homeward Bound". George Harrison performs "Crackerbox Palace" and "This Song".
- DirectorDave WilsonGary WeisStarsBuck HenryThe BandDan AykroydThe host for the episode is Buck Henry (his third appearance), and the musical guest is The Band. The skits for this episode are as follows: The land shark makes its return, pretending to be a late trick-or-treater. In his opening monologue, Buck Henry praises the cast for being able to perform so professionally in light of how absolutely messed up their personal lives are. The samurai stockbroker loses one of his clients after a string of bad advice. Baba Wawa has a joint interview with First Ladies Betty Ford and Rosalynn Carter. Garrett Morris discuss his own roots, including some famous ancestors. Ford and Carter have another debate, this time in the form of a beauty pageant. During the Weekend Update, Chevy Chase presents some campaign ads that haven't been used yet, while Jane Curtain announces that Chevy will soon be leaving the show. A warlock pitches the new Bat-o-Matic potion maker. Ambassador Thorne searches for the real parents of Damien, the son of Satan. Garrett gives a report from the grave of Houdini for the 50th anniversary of his death and sees a ghost. Mr. Mike tells a bedtime story about a little Eskimo boy who freezes to death. The Band performs "Life is a Carnival", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", "Stage Fright" and "Georgia On My Mind".
- DirectorDave WilsonStarsElliott GouldAnne MurrayThe MuppetsThe host for the episode is Elliott Gould, and the musical guest is Anne Murray. The skits for this episode are as follows: A quartet of dead musicians perform a piece. Elliott Gould sings during his opening monologue. Gilda Radner and Elliott profess their love for each other through the course of the show and get married. A housewife is caught off guard when a couple of workmen come to destroy her home. The Godfather talks about his feelings about the Tattaglia family in a group therapy session. A commercial presents Shimmer, a combination floor wax and dessert topping. Gary Weis presents a film on lounge singers performing "Misty". A family is trapped in their home by a swarm of killer bees, but before the matter can be resolved the cameras suddenly go off-balance. Forcing Lorne Michaels to confront a drunken control-room director. Albert Brooks presents a film about using audience research to judge his work. Two American Indians speak at a press conference to give their views on stereotyping. During the Weekend Update, Laraine Newman comments on toxic nerve agents, while Chevy Chase once again gets lost on his way to a story. Anne Murray performs "Long Distance Call" and "Boogie With You".
- 1975– 1h 30mTV-147.9 (167)TV EpisodeDirectorDave WilsonTom SchillerWalter WilliamsStarsCarrie FisherDan AykroydJohn BelushiThe host for the episode is Carrie Fisher, and the musical guest is The Blues Brothers (their third appearance). The skits for this episode are as follows: During her opening monologue, Carrie Fisher is instructed by Obi-Wan to tell a joke about aliens that completely bombs. Princess Leia arrives on Earth and joins a beach party with Frankie and Annette. Two boys show up for their dates with the Loud family sisters, only to be taken aback at how loud everyone speaks. Two orderlies take it upon themselves to release a dying patient from her misery, but get the wrong bed by mistake. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtin reports on an archaeological find in Egypt, McDonald's hamburgers and Sambo's restaurants, Bill Murray reports on Neil Armstrong, Vietnamese refugees, and the death of Jimmy Hoffa. Father Guido Sarducci answers allegations that the Vatican Bank is becoming a tax haven, and Roseanne Roseannadanna rants about smoking and naked people in health clubs. Mr. Bill goes fishing with Mr. Hands but ends up getting speared with hooks and eaten by a dolphin. At a waterfront dive in Marseilles, while the other bar girls try to get the sailors to buy expensive drinks, one gets them to sign up for insurance policies. The Blues Brothers perform "Soul Man", "Got Everything I Need, Almost", and "B Movie Boxcar Blues."
- DirectorDave WilsonGary WeisStarsCandice BergenFrank ZappaDan AykroydThe host for the episode is Candice Bergen (her third appearance), and the musical guest is Frank Zappa. The skits for this episode are as follows: For the opening, Patty Hearst enjoys a Christmas back with her family. Instead of doing her opening monologue, Candice Bergen hides in her dressing room and has to be coaxed out by John Belushi doing a Humphrey Bogart impression. President-elect Carter admits he can't follow through on all the things he promised during the campaign. A pitchman convinces a woman to use Santi-Wrap before sitting on the lap of a disreputable Santa. Irwin Mainway defends the safety of his company's obviously unsafe toys. A re-run ad promotes saving money with your own pricing gun. A woman defends her right to be extremely stupid. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain's husband urges her to quit SNL and come home, after which Jane comments on Amy Carter, Olga Korbut's marriage and the killing of Rudolph the Reindeer, while Emily Litella doesn't think people should give money to unisex. Candice advertises an instant camera that dispenses cheese slices. Two police officers investigate a string of murders perpetrated by trees. Candice announces that John has no place to spend Christmas and asks someone to adopt him for the holiday. The cast perform a song hoping that Gary Gilmore gets his wish to be executed as soon as possible. Frank Zappa performs "The Slime", "Lagoon" and "Peaches & Regalia".
- DirectorDave WilsonTom SchillerStarsRicky NelsonJudy CollinsDan AykroydThe host for the episode is Rick Nelson, and the musical guest is Judy Collins. The skits for this episode are as follows: Radio DJ Dick Lanky takes a variety of phone calls from listeners and tries to find out if astronaut Frank Borman flies for Eastern Airlines. In an episode of The Twilight Zone, Ricky Nelson keeps finding himself in the worlds of Leave it to Beaver, My Three Sons and other 60's family shows. Ricky Nelson joins Dolly Parton and Bob Marley for a benefit concert to raise money for yeast infection research, but punk rocker Candy Slice shows up drunkenly incoherent. During the Weekend Update, Chico Escuela gives the sports report. An art segment takes a look at the years Picasso spent in New York. Judy Collins performs "Hard Times for Lovers" and Ricky Nelson performs "Hello Mary Lou", "Travelin' Man", "Fools Rush In" and "Dream Lover".
- 1975– 1h 30mTV-146.9 (145)TV EpisodeDirectorDave WilsonGary WeisRobert AltmanStarsSissy SpacekRichard BaskinAl FrankenThe host for the episode is Sissy Spacek, and the musical guest is Richard Baskin. The skits for this episode are as follows: Following the death of director Dave Wilson, the show's future is in jeopardy. Sissy Spacek performs a baton twirling scene that was cut from Carrie. A burger restaurant prepares burgers according to the customers' bizarre specifications. President Carter answers call-in questions with very specific answers. A doctor is interviewed about a condition called quintlexia, which he suffers from. John Belushi announces that he's retiring from show business to train for the Olympic decathlon. During the Weekend Update, Muhammad Ali announces that he's making his own Rocky-style movie, and Emily Litella wonders why anyone cares about endangered feces. Al Franken and Tom Davis report the news live from World War III. Three women suffer from Gidget's Disease, causing intolerable cuteness. Leonard Pinth-Garnell presents 'The Millkeeper', a Bad Playhouse Production. Richard Baskin performs "One I Love You" (with Sissy Spacek) and "City of One Night Stands".
- DirectorDave WilsonStarsEric IdleDan AykroydJohn BelushiHost Eric Idle. Sketches: TelePsychic, The French Chef (Akroyd as Julia Child), Game Show Rules, Weekend Update, Father Guido Sarducci, and more.