Michael O'Donoghue Tribute ... Bill Murray [Former cast member Bill Murray stands at Home Base, addressing the camera.] Bill Murray: Good evening. I'm here to break the news about a death in the family. This week, Michael O'Donoghue, one of the original writers and creators of Saturday Night Live, died. He had a tremendous influence on this show and on all of us. He was a writer that the writers, actors - and even the producer - feared. And, in this business, it's better sometimes to be feared than loved. But we're not afraid of him any more -- because he's dead. ... He's dead and he went straight to hell. ... Just - just to visit the couple people he had to meet -- uh, Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, Richard Speck -- and to await the arrival of Pam Grier. Mike's work included "Mr. Mike's Least-Loved Bedtime Tales," "The Claudine Longet Invitational Ski Shoot," and, of course, his famous impression of Mike Douglas jamming nine-inch needles into his eyes. Michael used to say, "You only live once and, usually, not even then." But Michael lived well - and we all loved him. Here's a piece of his, written for Laraine Newman, with Michael O'Donoghue as the bartender. [Murray looks off stage. Fade out. Fade in on the December 1977 SNL sketch Least-Loved Bedtime Tale: The Soiled Kimono, in which a drunken Laraine Newman is asked to sing the aria from Madame Butterfly while bartender O'Donoghue mixes a drink he calls "The Soiled Kimono." Also appearing is O'Donoghue's future wife Cheryl Hardwick who for many years was SNL's musical director. Afterwards, we return to Bill Murray at Home Base. In his hand is a drink -- a Soiled Kimono, complete with paper butterfly -- with which he toasts the widow and the deceased:] Bill Murray: Here's to Cheryl - [removes the paper butterfly from the drink] - and to Michael. Takes a great man to make a great wake. [Murray nods and downs the entire contents of the glass. Applause.] Submitted Anonymously SNL Transcripts