Author: Don Roy King

 Saturday Night Live Transcripts


  Season 12: Episode 4


]]>

Air Date:

Host:

Musical Guest:

Special Guests:

Cameos:


November 15th, 1986

Sam Kinison

Lou Reed

None

Seka
Church ChatSummary: The Church Lady (Dana Carvey) announces that she’s protesting tonight’s show because Sam Kinison is hosting, then confronts the devlish comic backstage.

Recurring Characters: Church Lady.

Transcript

Montage

Sam Kinison’s MonologueSummary: After joining G.E. Smith & The Saturday Night Live Band for an extended rendition of the theme song, Sam Kinison is flanked by cops on horseback to make sure he doesn’t use foul language during the broadcast.

Also Appeared: 85d, 85g, 85j, 85q, 86b.

Transcript

AdobeSummary: The little car made out of clay, which is surprisingly affordable and resistant to collisions on the road.

Transcript

Parent-Teacher ConferenceSummary: Boisterous kindergarten teacher (Sam Kinison) tells parents (Kevin Nealon, Jan Hooks) their daughter Sarah is stupid.

The Jungle RoomSummary: In 1943 New York, club owner Eddie Spimoza (Jon Lovitz) receives a visit from suspicious private eye Chick Hazard (Phil Hartman).

Recurring Characters: Eddie Spimoza, Charlie Loomis, Chick Hazard.

Ching Chang’s Pet Chicken ShopSummary:

Recurring Characters: Ching Chang.

Lou Reed performs “I Love You, Suzanne”

Weekend Update with Dennis MillerSummary: Victoria Jackson narrates her undercover video from Central Park.

Love ConnectionSummary: Sam Kinison is scarred for life after a horrible date with a pair of lesbians.

Recurring Characters: Marge Keister, Dr. Norma Hoeffering.

The Dancing LordSummary: Lord Christie (Dana Carvey) insists on dancing while his portrait is painted, and expects it to be perfect or he will kill the one who is painting him. After many failed attempts, the new painter (Jon Lovitz) uses reverse psychology to wear Lord Christie down so he can properly paint him.

Krypton SurvivesSummary: Jor-el (Sam Kinison) is unable to live it down when he makes a slight miscalculation and Krypton doesn’t explode.

Recurring Characters: Jor-el, Superman.

Lou Reed performs “Original Wrapper”

Sam Kinison Stand-UpSummary: Sam Kinison performs stand-up about his attitudes toward women.

Goodnights

SNL Transcripts

Adobe

Spokesman…..Phil Hartman

Spokesman: These days, everyone’s talking about the Hyundai, and the Yugo. Both nice cars, if you’ve got $3,000 or $4,000 to throw around. But, for those of us whose name doesn’t happen to be Rockefeller, finally there’s some good news – a car with a sticker price of $179. That’s right, $179. The name of the car?

Adobe. The sassy new Mexican import that’s made out of clay. German engineering and Mexican know-how helped create the first car to break the $200 barrier. At this price, you might not expect more than reliable transportation – but, brother, you get it! Extra features: like the custom contour seats, or the beverage-gripping dash. And the money you save isn’t exactly small change!

Jingle:
“Hey, hey, we’re Adobe!
The little car that’s made out of clay!
We’re gonna save you some money
that you can spend in some other way!
Hey, hey, we’re Adobe!
Hey, hey, we’re Adobe!
Adobe!”

[ show Adobe driver get into a fender-bender. She casually steps out of the vehicle and uses her hands to mold her bumper back into its proper shape, in under six minutes! ]

Spokesman: Adobe. You can buy a cheaper car. But I wouldn’t recommend it!

Announcer: Not approved for street use in some states. No warranty either expressed or implied. All sales final.

SNL Transcripts

 Saturday Night Live Transcripts


  Season 12: Episode 4

86d: Sam Kinison / Lou Reed

Church Chat

Church Lady…..Dana Carvey
…..Seka
…..Sam Kinison

[ open on soothing organ music, with title card superimposed over the “Church Chat” set ]

Announcer: And now it’s time for a special edition of “Church Chat”, with the Church Lady.

[ audience applauds excitedly as the camera zooms in on the doddering Church Lady seated triumphantly behind her desk ]

Church Lady: Well! Isn’t that special? Hello, I’m the Church Lady, and I would like to inform you that I will not be appearing on “Saturday Night Live” this evening. [ audience “Awwww”s ] I’m sorry. I am protesting the selection of the guest host. [ audience laughs and claps lightly ] As you may already know, a few weeks ago a Mr. Samuel Kinison was fortunate enough to be chosen to perform his funny little comedy routines on “Saturday Night Live.” Instead, he said some naughty little things about crack and Christ. [ audience laughs ] Some things that might come out of the mouth of, oh.. oh, I don’t know.. I don’t know who it could be. Maybe.. SATAN??! [ audience claps ] And what was Samuel’s punishment? To host “Saturday Night Live” two weeks later! Well, isn’t that special? Apparently, some of us are rewarded for behaving like the Beastmaster.

Viewers, I implore you: do not watch this show! Do not watch this show! Tomorrow is church! But if you must watch something, perhaps this would be a little bit more suitable – I’ve checked it out. [ opens a TV Guide on her desk ] Alrighty. On Channel 7, at 11:45 on ABC, there’s a movie thriller. Made-for-television, 1977, it’s called “Ants!” That’s right: “Poisonous pests terrorize a mountain resort.” It’s filmed on-location in Vancouver. Isn’t that super? And it stars Robert Foxworth, Susan Somers, and Linda Day George. [ places her TV Guide down proudly ] Well! I think that would be a suitable alternative.

And it just gripes my bottom that, right now, they’re getting ready for their dirty little sex show! I just don’t think we should have to stand for it! In fact – well, gosh, darn it, I’m not gonna stand for it! I’m gonna put a stop to this! Gosh, darn it! [ stands ] Where is Mr. Kinison?! [ the audience applauds as the Church Lady steps away from her set and wanders into the studio ] Where is this sinner?! Where is this insargent?! Where is he, I know he’s here! Where is that diabolical disciple of depravity?! Has anyone seen that paunchy prince of perdition?! [ finds her way into a back hall, where Kinison stands with his girlfriend, Seka ] Oh, that — oh! Look! There they are! The sinner! There they are! Oh! Look at you! [ stops, notices Seka ] Seka? Oh, I’ve only seen you in — well, what are you doing here with this awful Sam Kinison? He’s a terrible influence!

Seka: Stop trying to run my life, Church Lady. ] tosses her hair, as Kinison makes wild hand signals ]

Church Lady: Well! Apparently, some of us don’t care too much about our little reputation, do we? Isn’t that super! [ Seka makes a flagrant display of feeding Kinison from her fingertips ] So. Well.

Sam Kinison: You know what you need?

Church Lady: What’s that?

Sam Kinison: Well, you need what I was just about to give to her.

Church Lady: [ glances back and forth between Kinison and Seka ] Well, I have no idea what you’re talking about!

Sam Kinison: I call it a real touch from God! [ pulls Church Lady down and gives her a big, wet kiss on the lips. The Church Lady is flustered as he finaly releases her, then turns to face the camera with a fury: ] “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Niiiiiiiiiiiiightttttt!!!!”

SNL Transcripts

 Saturday Night Live Transcripts


  Season 12: Episode 4

86d: Sam Kinison / Lou Reed

Sam Kinison’s Monologue

…..Sam Kinison

Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen – Sam Kinison!

[ Sam Kinison proudly and triumphantly steps onto Home Base, lavishing in the audience’s applause as the SNL band continues to play. KInison briefly plays air guitar, then motions toward the band before finally picking up a spare guitar and jamming side-by-side with G.E. Smith. The audience explodes into applause when they eventually finish their set. ]

Sam Kinison: What a band!! Let ’em hear it!!

[ the audience cheers and applauds louder ]

Sam Kinison: Owwww!!! Man, do you believe this, huh? [ laughs maniacally ] I’m back on “Saturday Night Live.” [ audience cheers ] Can’t believe it. NBC censors, I don’t know, I guess they’re on vacation. They said, “Sam, come on back. We won’t be here. You can do whatever you want. You won’t be hassled. Nobody will interfere with you. No one’s gonna pressure you.”

So I came back, folks, and it’s the same, uh – the same attitude I’ve always had about comedy. I was here when they did the Libya thing. You know? The raid on Libya. I talked about the air raid, I said I was glad to be an American. When bombers came in, going, “Where’s the BABY’S ROOM??!!!” [ imitates plane crash sounds ] When they had them uh – when they had the Russian disaster, there at the nuclear plant in Chernobyl, I said, you know, I said, “I think I speak for all Americans when I say: [ makes a maniacal, snide laugh at the Russians’ expense ] “Better you than us!! Better you than us, Russkies!!!” Or when they needed an answer for world hunger, what did I do? I said, “Hey! Move to the FOOOOOODDD!! You live in a DESERT, MOVE to the FOOD!!“

So they said, “Sam, you’re back now, there’s no pressure. NBC is gonna allow you to come out here and say whatever you want, with no authority, no resistance, nobody watching you –“

[ as he says this, a pair of cops on horseback enter the studio and flank Kinison at Home Base. The audience cheers, as Kinison looks at the cops dumbfoundedly. ]

Sam Kinison: Well, I guess NBC has kept its word. [ speaking to one of the horses ] Well, I guess I won’t be doing that prepared sketch on homosexuals, will I, Wilbur? [ to the audience ] Alright. Well, uh, we’ll talk about my act later. We have a GREAT show for you – Lou Reed’s RIGHT HERE, he’s my special guest!! We’ll be right BACK!!! Agggghhhhhhh!!!!!

SNL Transcripts

Air Date:

Host:

Musical Guest:

Special Guests:
November 22nd, 1986

Robin Williams

Paul Simon

Art Garfunkel

Paul Simon, “Diamonds On The Soles of Her Shoes”.

Reagan’s Earpiece

Recurring Characters: President Ronald Reagan.

The Sweeney Sisters

Recurring Characters: Candy Sweeney, Liz Sweeney,

Master Thespian

Recurring Characters: Master Thespian,

The Memory of Paul Simon

…..Paul Simon
…..Jan Hooks
Clay Barnes…..Kevin Nealon
Carol Britsky…..Victoria Jackson
Woman…..Nora Dunn
Steve…..Phil Hartman
Bill Seabrook…..Jon Lovitz
…..Art Garfunkel

[ open on the long line outside of a movie theater ]

Paul Simon: Wow.. I hope this movie is worth it.

Jan Hooks: Yeah. Well, I heard a review of it on the radio this morning. And they said it was “the Most Recent Movie of the Year.”

Paul Simon: The Most Recent Movie? That’s not saying very much..

Jan Hooks: It’s not, is it? I probably didn’t hear it right – the shower was running, and..

[ a man approaches ]

Clay Barnes: Excuse me? Aren’t you Paul Simon?

Paul Simon: Yes, I am.

Clay Barnes: Ah! I don’t know if you remember me.. I did some session work on your first solo album..

Paul Simon: Clay Barnes!

Clay Barnes: [ glad to be remembered ] Yes! Yes!

Paul Simon: You played bass.

Clay Barnes: Yeah! I didn’t think you would remember me!

Paul Simon: Yeah, you brought your mother to the studio.

Clay Barnes: [ dumbfounded ] Yes, I did!

Paul Simon: How is she doing?

Clay Barnes: She’s doing great!

Paul Simon: Oh, that’s great! Give her my best, will you?

Clay Barnes: I will! Thanks a lot! Good seeing you! [ walks away ]

Paul Simon: [ to Jan ] Some of my friends say they love this movie; some of my friends say.. Agh! So.. we’ll see for ourselves..

Jan Hooks: Yeah. Alright.

[ a woman approaches ]

Carol Britsky: Paul? Hi! Um.. remember me? I picked you up at the airport in 1963. It was in Baton Rouge, and you were playing at Clairmont Community College.

Paul Simon: [ thinking ] Ah! Carol Britsky!

Carol Britsky: Yes!

Paul Simon: I remember. You were a Political Science major then.

Carol Britsky: Yes! I’m teaching it now.

Paul Simon: Really. Well, congratulations! It’s nice to see you again.

Carol Britsky: It’s nice to see you! [ walks away ]

Jan Hooks: [ flabbergasted ] You know, I am amazed! You have an excellent memory.

Paul Simon: I train my memory. Because if I get an idea for a lyric in the middle of the night, I want to freeze it, so I can have it in the morning and write it down. So I work on my memory..

[ a woman and a man approach ]

Woman: Paul Simon! Hi! Oh, I’m sure you don’t remember, but I saw you in your concert at Central Park.

Paul Simon: [ thinking ] You were sitting on a plaid blanket.. under the elm tree.

Woman: Yes, yes!

Paul Simon: You’ve changed your hair since then. I like it very much.

Woman: Thank you. Thank you!

Paul Simon: And thank you for yelling “More!”

Woman: Oh, you’re welcome! [ grabs the man with her ] This is my friend Steve.

Steve: [ shakes Paul’s hand ] Hello.

Paul Simon: Steve, how are you? [ thinking ] I don’t remember you from Central Park.

Steve: No, no, I wasn’t there. I saw you in Baltimore in 1981.

Paul Simon: Oh! That’s right! The Capitol Theater, the late show! You were the one who kept yelling, “‘The Boxer’! Play ‘The Boxer’!”

Steve: Yes! I hope you didn’t mind.

Paul Simon: Ah, I didn’t mind. It’s just, we had just finished playing “The Boxer”.

Steve: [ embarassed ] Oh. Gosh, I.. I.. I had just stepped out. I didn’t know! I’m sorry!

Paul Simon: Don’t worry about it! It’s nice seeing you both. I love your hair.

Woman: Thank you.

[ the couple walk away ]

Jan Hooks: [ amazed ] You know, I can’t even remember the names of my cousins. This is bizarre..

[ another man quickly approaches ]

Bill Seabrook: Hi! Do you remember me? I’m Bill Seabrook. I bought your “Bridge Over Troubled Water” in Seattle, and I had to return it?

Paul Simon: Oh, yes, you had a problem with the second side, there was a scratch on the second cut..

Bill Seabrook: Yes!

Paul Simon: Did they take care of that for you?

Bill Seabrook: Yes! They sure did! No problem!

Paul Simon: Good. I heard your sister isn’t doing so well. Is she alright?

Bill Seabrook: Oh, she’s doing much better. Thanks!

Paul Simon: Oh, I’m relieved! Great!

Bill Seabrook: [ hugs Paul passionately ] Don’t ever change. [ walks away ]

Paul Simon: [ to Jan ] I won’t.

Jan Hooks: You won’t.

Paul Simon: I won’t ever change.

[ Art Garfunkel approaches ]

Art Garfunkel: Hey, Paul! You gotta see this movie. This movie is great! I saw this movie last week, DeNiro is fantastic, you’re gonna love this film!

Paul Simon: [ confused ] And your name is?

Art Garfunkel: Paul, I’m Artie. Art Garfunkel.

Paul Simon: [ thinking ] Art.. Gar-funkel..?

Jan Hooks: Paul, this man was your partner. You were a team.

Art Garfunkel: For 11 years, Paul.

Paul Simon: [ thinking ] A team? A team for 11 years? Garfunkel..

Art Garfunkel: [ singing ] When you’re weary.. feeling small. When tears are in..

[ Paul can’t recall the event Garfunkel is referring to, as the scene closes ]

SNL Transcripts

 Saturday Night Live Transcripts


  Season 12: Episode 5

86e: Robin Williams / Paul Simon

Paul Simon performs “The Late Great Johnny Ace”

…..Paul Simon

[FADE IN on a b&w photo of John F. Kennedy, then fade to Simon sitting on a stool and playing his guitar.]

Paul Simon: [ singing ]
“I was reading a magazine,
Thinking of a rock ‘n’ roll song,
The year was nineteen fifty-five,
I hadn’t been playing that long.

When a man came on the radio,
And this is what he said,
He said, “I hate to break it to his fans,
But Johnny Ace is dead.”
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Well, I really wasn’t such a Johnny Ace fan,
But I felt bad all the same,
So I sent away for his photograph,
And I waited till it came.

It came all the way from Texas,
With a sad and a simple face,
And they signed it on the bottom,
“From the late great Johnny Ace.”
Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

[guitar solo]

“It was the year of the Beatles,
It was the year of the Stones,
It was nineteen sixty-four.

And I was living in London
With a girl from the summer before.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

It was the year of the Beatles,
It was the year of the Stones,
A year after JFK.
Oh, we were stayin’ up all night,
Killin’ the days away…

And the music was flowing,
Amazing, and going
My way.”

[guitar solo]

“On a cold December evening,
I was walking through the Christmastide,
When a stranger came up and asked me
If I’d heard John Lennon had died.

And the two of us went to this bar,
And we stayed to close the place,
And every song we played was for
The late great Johnny Ace,
Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

[Paul plays and hums for about 30 seconds, and then strums his guitar to close the song. A pause, then cheers and applause. FADE to a bumper slide of Robin Williams leaning his head on his hand and smiling. FADE to black.]

SNL Transcripts

Reagan’s Earpiece

President Ronald Reagan…..Robin Williams
Aide #1…..Kevin Nealon
Aide #2…..Phil Hartman
Reporter #1…..Dana Carvey
Reporter #2…..Victoria Jackson
Reporter #3…..Jan Hooks

[ open on interior, White House – Presidential Aides helping Ronald Reagan put in an earpiece ]

President Ronald Reagan: Uh.. Iran, Iraq.. stalagmite, stalactite..

Aide #1: Here you go, sir. You’re all set for the press conference.

President Ronald Reagan: Are you sure they won’t be able to see it at all? It feels just like my hearing aid!

Aide #2: Mr. President, about the radio transmitter – now, instead of briefing you thoroughly, as we usually do, which tends to tire and confuse you, we decided to use the receiver. If you’re stumped for an answer, I’ll talk into the mike, and it’ll be transmitted directly into the receiver, and, so..

President Ronald Reagan: Whoa! Just like radio! [ Aides laugh ] Well, that’s fine with me!

Speaker’s Voice; [ from the Press Room ] Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States!

President Ronald Reagan: Well, that’s my cue, boys! You say Iran, I say Iraq – let’s call the whole thing a deal! [ enters the Press Room singing “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” ] Be seated. [ press sits, Reagan pauses ]

Aide #2: [ in the other room, tuned in on the transmitter ] My God.. “Ladies and gentlemen of the Press..”

President Ronald Reagan: Excuse me! [ exits Press Room, returns to his Aides ] I knew that! I was just taking a dramatic pause! I’m not stupid! Thank you. [ exits back to the Press Room ] Thank you – deja vu! Be seated. Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, I’m ready for your questions. [ hands start waving ] Milt?

Reporter #1: Mr. President, in light of recent events, do you feel the secret arms deal to Iran was a mistake?

President Ronald Reagan: Well.. I was expecting you to ask that. And I would like to answer that with a definitive.. uh..

Aide #2: [ in back room ] “No!”

President Ronald Reagan: No!

[ reporters start waving their hands – “Mr. President! Mr. President!” ]

Aide #2: Not him.. not him, either..

President Ronald Reagan: Not him, either.

Aide #2: Trudy!

President Ronald Reagan: Not you!

Aide #2: Trudy!

President Ronald Reagan: Eeeny-meeney-miney.. Trudy! Trudy!

Reporter #2: Mr. President, this may seem like a lob..

President Ronald Reagan: Well, I’m here to serve!

Reporter #2: What would you enjoy talking about?

President Ronald Reagan: Well.. I’m glad you asked that, Trudy, because.. [ his signal starts to pick up other frequencies, confusing him ] “1 Adam-12! 1 Adam-12!”

Aide #1: [ in back room ] We’re getting interference, it sounds like a police report..

President Ronald Reagan: “Well, you know, 3, we have a 518 in progress, and the perpetrator’s a burly male Negro, 5-feet 8-inches tall, 145 pounds.”

Aide #2: Mr. President? We’re getting some intereferece on that frequency – that was not me, that was a police report.

Reporter #2: Mr. President, I’m sorry, but what were you referring to?

President Ronald Reagan: Well, I’m, uh.. I’m, uh..

Aide #2: “I was just describing..”

President Ronald Reagan: “I was just describing..”

Aide #2: “..our new ambassador to South Africa.”

President Ronald Reagan: “..our new ambassador to South Africa.” [ more reporters start clamoring for questions ] Yes. Yes! [ points to Reporter #3 ]

Reporter #3: Mr. President, why don’t you just admit the arms deal was a mistake?

President Ronald Reagan: Well.. I’m glad you asked that, because this is one that I’m ready for, because.. [ starts to lose his signal again ] ..”Whoa! Kareem goes in on the inside! Passes to Magic! Swish! That’s two points! Bango!”

Aide #2: Mr. President, we’re going to try different frequencies. Until then, you may have to wing it.

President Ronald Reagan: “Well, you may have to wing it!” [ loses signal again ] What I’m trying to say, is the Ayatollah is a “swish!” And, wait a minute.. “back to our traffic helicopter out there on the Potomac, seems we’re backed up all the way to the Bridge, Bob!” [ starts beating his chest to sound like a helicopter ] I don’t know, I.. “I’m a rapper, a rapper! See me now, say, whoo-ah, whoo-ah, whoo-ah!” Whoa! Look out! [ repeats messages on a Spanish station ] “Yes, Dr. Ruth, I’ve always had this problem with premature..” [ switches signals again ] Wait a minute.. “Yes, it’s an all non-stop Doors weekend – Hello, I love you, won’t you tell me your name?” [ signal gives off a high-pitched squeal ] Wait! “Live, from New York, it’s Saturday Night!“

SNL Transcripts

Air Date:

Host:





Musical Guest:

Special Guests:
December 6th, 1986

Chevy Chase

Steve Martin

Martin Short

Randy Newman

Eric Idle

Stumblebums Anonymous

Martin, Short and Chase join the Gerald Ford Clinic.

Chevy Chase, Steve Martin & Martin Short’s Monologue

Martin wanders through the studio and sings “I’m Me!”

Looking For The Remote

Dad (Chase) finds everything but the remote in between the cushions.

Ed Grimley

Mephistopheles (Jon Lovitz) comes for Ed’s (Short) soul.

Recurring Characters: Ed Grimley, Mephistopheles.

A Holiday Wish

Martin outlines his holiday wish for singing children.

Master Brain

President Reagan (Phil Hartman) secretly knows what he’s doing.

Recurring Characters: President Ronald Reagan.

Weekend Update with Dennis Miller & Chevy Chase

Chase co-anchors.

Tommy Flanagan (Jon Lovitz) lies about Oliver North.

Recurring Characters: Tommy Flanagan.

The Eggshell Family

Telephone call begats family crisis.

The Pat Stevens Show

Pat (Nora Dunn) is more interested in shoes than Corizon Aquinos (Jan Hooks).

Recurring Characters: Pat Stevens.

Church Lady’s Potluck Luncheon

Church Lady (Dana Carvey) and Minister Bob (Chase) reign superiority.

Recurring Characters: Church Lady, Jenny Baker.

Halsey & Roarke: British Customs Agents

Customs agents (Eric Idle, Dana Carvey) find suspicion in innocent items.

SNL Transcripts

 Saturday Night Live Transcripts


  Season 12: 1986-1987


]]>

Starring:

Dana Carvey

Nora Dunn

Phil Hartman

Jan Hooks

Victoria Jackson

Jon Lovitz

Dennis Miller

Featuring:

A. Whitney Brown

Kevin Nealon

Episodes

10/11/86: Sigourney Weaver / Buster Poindexter

10/18/86: Malcolm-Jamal Warner / Run DMC

11/08/86: Rosanna Arquette / Ric Ocasek

11/15/86: Sam Kinison / Lou Reed

11/22/86: Robin Williams / Paul Simon

12/06/86: Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, Martin Short / Randy Newman

12/13/86: Steve Guttenberg / The Pretenders

12/20/86: William Shatner / Lone Justice

01/24/87: Joe Montana & Walter Payton / Debbie Harry

01/31/87: Paul Shaffer / Bruce Hornsby & The Range

02/14/87: Bronson Pinchot / Paul Young

02/21/87: Willie Nelson

02/28/87: Valerie Bertinelli / Robert Cray Band

03/21/87: Bill Murray / Percy Sledge

03/28/87: Charlton Heston / Wynton Marsalis

04/11/87: John Lithgow / Anita Baker

04/18/87: John Larroquette / Timbuk 3

05/09/87: Mark Harmon / Suzanne Vega

05/16/87: Garry Shandling / Los Lobos

SummaryA renaissance of comedy! Lorne Michaels returned as Producer of “Saturday Night Live” at the start of the 1985 season, but the results weren’t up to par. Lorne insisted that NBC give him one more chance to revive “SNL” before pulling the plug on it for good. “And, what can I tell you..?” The new faces elevated the show to higher points than its glory days an even-decade earlier.

Nora Dunn, Jon Lovitz and Dennis Miller carried over from the previous season, and the new faces of Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks and Victoria Jackson gave the show new life, with odd characters and sinister impersonations of celebrities, politicians and people in the news. Phil Hartman is the chameleon of the new season, with Dana Carvey performing gonzo portrayals of real people. Jon Lovitz is still a liar, and Dennis Miller is still an anchorman, hosting the hippest “Weekend Update” of the eighties (Sorry, Charlie!).

Watch “SNL” this season, and you’ll watch the show rediscover itself!

SNL Transcripts