Saturday Night Live Transcripts
Season 2: Episode 11
76k: Ralph Nader / George Benson
Ralph Nader’s Monologue
… Ralph Nader
Don Pardo: Ladies and gentlemen, Ralph Nader!
Ralph Nader: [enters from the audience to stand athome base, acknowledges the applause, and puts on hiseyeglasses] I– Thank you very much, of course. I feela slight loss of innocence doing this show tonight.After all, this television studio’s in the RCABuilding in midtown Manhattan, the heart of CorporateAmerica. I had my doubts about working here. But Imust say that everybody here’s been very friendly andhelpful. To be honest, I didn’t really expect thismuch cooperation — especially since my researchgroups have been investigating the RCA corporation,which owns NBC, for a number of corporate abuses.
[Although his voice continues, Nader’s imagedisappears, replaced by a graphic that reads: NETWORKTROUBLE TEMPORARY]We’re concerned about their hazardous workingconditions, alleged price fixing, bribes to foreignofficials and too much television violence.
[Nader’s image returns.]I could go on and on but this is a night forentertainment, a night for fun! And I must say againthat the people here at NBC have treated mewonderfully. They’ve really been terrific consideringthe fact that we’ve just sued them for ten milliondollars for deceptive advertising.
[Abruptly, the image goes out of focus and the camerapans off Nader.]In any case, we have a challenging show tonight andwe’ll be right back after this message.
[Camera pans back to a grinning Nader and returns tofocus as the audience applauds.]Submitted Anonymously