76l: Ruth Gordon / Chuck Berry

Injured John

.....Lorne Michaels
.....Jane Curtin
.....John Belushi's Doctor
.....Gilda Radner

[ open on interior, Lorne's office ]

Lorne Michaels: [ into the phone ] -- I'm telling you, because he can't... because he can't do the show. Listen, he was in dress rehearsal -- you're ognna have to ask Danny to go out and do the opening. Belushi is just not rea --

[ Jane Curtin enters with a bespectacled man at her side ]

John Belushi's Doctor: Mr. Michaels?

Lorne Michaels: [ to his visitor ] Yeah, one second, please. [ into the phone ] Okay? Send Danny out.

[ Lorne hangs up the phone and stands ]

Jane Curtin: Lorne, this is John's doctor.

Lorne Michaels: Hi.

John Belushi's Doctor: Mr. Michaels, he's -- he's -- he's GOT to go on! Now, maybe he's not one-hundred per cent Belushi... but he's got the drive, he's got the will, he'll -- he'll -- he'll --

Lorne Michaels: Doctor --

John Belushi's Doctor: He's GOT to perform! That's all. Now, he'd be CRUSHED if he doesn't!

Lorne Michaels: Doctor, I don't want to -- I don't want to, uh, argue with you. But from what I saw at dress rehearsal, I canNOT put Belushi on national television.

John Belushi's Doctor: Uh, Gilda -- ?

Lorne Michaels: He's like in a coma --

John Belushi's Doctor: Gilda, would you please fetch him in here. [ to Lorne ] Just take ONE more look at him!

Lorne Michaels: They've already started. We're on the air right now!

John Belushi's Doctor: I -- I -- I understand -- I understand --

Lorne Michaels: I CAN'T put him in the top!

John Belushi's Doctor: [ Gilda wheels John Belushi into Lorne's office stretched across a wheelchair ]

John Belushi's Doctor: Ah! Well, now, you see -- you see -- you see -- you see?

Lorne Michaels: Look -- I can't let this man on television. He's a -- I mean, he's barely awake!

[ Belushi males comic motions from his position in the wheelchair ]

John Belushi's Doctor: Lorne, if John Belushi could speak... he'd TELL you he's GOT to go on!

Lorne Michaels: Doc, I -- I -- I -- I don't understand: why are you so convinced that this man can do a show?

John Belushi's Doctor: [ he chuckles ] Well, to be perfectly honest, it's about my fee. You see, uh -- if he doesn't go on --

Lorne Michaels: Yeah?

John Belushi's Doctor: He doesn't get paid.

Lorne Michaels: Right.

John Belushi's Doctor: And, if he doesn't get paid, I don't get paid. And if I don't get paid... I'll be forced to cut off his drugs!

[ Belushi perks up his head in worry, as the camera zooms in on him ]

John Belushi: Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!