Sat, Jan 27, 1979
The host for the episode is Michael Palin (his second appearance), and the musical guest is The Doobie Brothers. The skits for this episode are as follows: President Carter delivers his State of the Union address despite his painful hemorrhoids, but the speech is peppered with references to the affliction. Lisa Loopner has another piano lesson with her lecherous teacher, Mr. Brighton. A discussion panel looks at the topic of what would have happened if Superman had landed in Nazi Germany instead of the United States. During the Weekend Update, Chico Escuela gives the sports news, while Father Guido Sarducci gives the latest report on events in the Catholic Church. Mr. Bill gets called in to court, where he is pounded with a gavel, sees his mother and dog torn apart, and ends up strapped to the electric chair. The Doobie Brothers perform "What a Fool Believes" and "Taking It to the Streets".
Sat, Feb 10, 1979
The host for the episode is Cicely Tyson, and the musical guest is The Talking Heads. The skits for this episode are as follows: Jane and Gilda run in panic when John comes on the set, thinking he's going to throw a tantrum after learning that his Deng Xiaoping act has been cut. Before Cicely Tyson can give her opening monologue, Garrett Morris comes out dressed as her because he think he's supposed to play all black roles, leading Cicely to berate him for throwing his talent away on degrading parts. Elvis Presley's coat continues to perform to sell-out crowds after its owner's death. The Widettes meet up with another family with similarly large backsides. Receptionist Sherry is now working for the Shah, where she keeps all his visitors waiting. The frontier midwife delivers a baby in front of a room full of men. Nick the lounge singer performs on an auto-train bound for Florida. Garrett invites Cicely to talk about the lack of positive perceptions regarding black characters and black actors, and Cicely blindsides him by blaming it on the poor behavior of black men. The X-police burst in on a pair of women they think are lesbians and proceed to beat them up. Cicely performs a selection of songs about Sicily. Emily Litella acts as host for her production of "Porky & Bess". The Talking Heads perform "Take Me to the River" and "Artists Only".
Sat, Feb 17, 1979
The 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".
Sat, Feb 24, 1979
The host for the episode is Kate Jackson, and the musical guest is Delbert McClinton. The skits for this episode are as follows: Network president Fred Silverman appears on Charlie's Angels where he reveals that he's a covert operative for ABC who has been deliberately sabotaging the network with terrible programming decisions, and then shares his plans with the angels for further damaging NBC's remaining popular shows. During Kate Jackson's monologue, she mentions that she used to be an NBC studio tour guide, and is then interrupted by a tour group passing through the studio. Lisa Loopner is upset to discover that Todd DiLaMuca has a crush on her mother's nurse. Fred Silverman reveals his new programming line-up, which includes giving more prime-time slots to McLean Stevenson and Tom Snyder, and having Rip Taylor anchor the evening news. During the Weekend Update, Roseanne Roseannadanna reports on the new King Tut exhibit, and Father Guido Sarducci talks about a UFO sighting. Andy Kaufman yodels while playing the bongos. When Kate tells Fred Silverman how dedicated and idealistic the rest of the SNL cast is, and how their principles are inspiring her to do more than just lowest-common-denominator television, Fred slaps her to bring her back to reality. Leonard Plinth-Garnell reviews bad cabaret for children. Mr. Bill takes up exercise, but gets pounded by his trainer, Sluggo. The Coneheads go to the movies, but Beldar freaks out after another moviegoer passes him a joint. Delbert McClinton performs "B Movie Box Car Blues" and "Talkin' About You".
Sat, Mar 10, 1979
The host for the episode is Gary Busey, and the musical guests are Eubie Blake and Gregory Hines. The skits for this episode are as follows: When John Belushi is peeved that Gary Busey has been nominated for an Oscar, Gary tries to make amends. During his opening monologue, Gary performs a percussion solo, using his body as the drum kit. President Carter reluctantly agrees to his mother's request to take Billy along to the Middle East, where the first brother still manages to cause a mess. A group of guys in leisure suits discuss their solutions to various women's issues. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain reports on the Mid-East peace talks, the Voyager spacecraft, and seal hunting in Canada, while Bill Murray tries with little success to interview the widow of Mr. Ed. Honker dreams of someday getting the chance to perform Shakespeare. Gary Busey performs "Stay All Night" with Rich Danko and Paul Butterfield, and Eubie Blake performs "Low Down Blues", "I'm Just Simply Full of Jazz" and "I'm Just Wild About Harry" together with Gregory Hines.
Sat, Mar 17, 1979
The host for the episode is Margot Kidder, and the musical guest is The Chieftans. The skits for this episode are as follows: DJ Dick Lankey broadcasts from Doyle's Tavern for St. Patrick's Day, where Mayor Daley's ghost is supposed to reappear. Margot Kidder's opening monologue is interrupted by technical difficulties when the entire camera crew gets completely drunk. An ad for the navy shows sailors scrubbing floors, working in the mess hall and sitting around watching TV. A female bank executive on a business trip finds that her company has arranged for a male prostitute to spend the night with her. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain reports on Richard Nixon's grandson and a monkey shortage in medical research, Bill Murray wishes a happy hundredth birthday to Albert Einstein, Father Guido Sarducci vents about favoritism regarding American and Irish saints, and Jane and Dan debate Lee Marvin's palimony case. Superman and Lois Lane, now married, are having a party, but when Superman changes into Clark Kent, Lois confesses to him that she's been unfaithful. Al Franken complains that his face and name are being used to sell FrankenBerry cereal, and then tries to drum up sympathy for a sick homeless man. A group of women discuss the problems with men. Mr. Bill tries to hide when Mr. Hands comes to take him bowling, but he ends up getting crushed under a bowling ball. The Chieftans perform "If I Had Maggie in the Woods" and "Morning Dew".
Sat, Apr 7, 1979
The host for the episode is Richard Benjamin, and the musical guest is Rickie Lee Jones. The skits for this episode are as follows: At Two Mile Island Nuclear Power plant, a worker accidentally spills a soft drink on the control panel, causing a massive leak of radiation. When President Carter goes to investigate the situation, he insists that his background in nuclear engineering qualifies him to enter the reactor chamber, exposing him to a dose of radiation that causes him to grow to nearly one hundred feet tall. Todd DiLaMuca borrows his older brother's apartment in the hopes of putting the moves on Lisa Loopner. Other skits include a scene at a Scottish restaurant and a 'Bird for All Seasons', as well as a re-run of the Little Chocolate Donuts advertisement. Rickie Lee Jones performs "Chuck E's in Love" and "Coolsville".
Sat, Apr 14, 1979
The host for the episode is Milton Berle, and the musical guest is Ornette Coleman. The skits for this episode are as follows: The men of the cast open by performing the intro from Milton Berle's old Texaco Star Theater program. Music host Don Kirshner presents the Village Persons, who perform their new disco song "Bend Over, Chuck Berry". Joan Face interviews Irving Mainway, who attempts to defend the attractions at his new theme park, including getting stuffed in a burlap sack and thrown in a lake, riding a shopping cart down into a gravel pit, and playing in a lot full of abandoned refrigerators. Other skits include Milton Berle's Japanese writers, Buddy Pine's Launching Pad, and the Widette family. Milton Berle performs "September Song" and Ornette Coleman performs "Times Square."
Sat, May 12, 1979
The host for the episode is Michael Palin (his third appearance), and the musical guest is James Taylor (his second appearance). The skits for this episode are as follows: Fred Silverman defends the programming decisions he's made over the past year and announces that he's picking Gary Coleman to be his new Executive Vice President. In the further adventures of Miles Cowperthwaite, Miles enters the service of Captain Ned and sets sail aboard the Raging Queen. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain reports on President Carter's gasoline rationing plan and the loss of Skylab, then gets snapped at by an angry Margaret Thatcher, Bill Murray reports on Chico Escuela's failed attempt at a return to Major League Baseball, and Father Guido Sarducci discusses an unexplained object in the sky as well as his plans to start a Shrine-mobile service. President Carter presents the Boulevard of Proud Chicano Cars. Tom Snyder talks about his mother on the Tomorrow Show. Mr. Bill attempts to run away, but Mr. Hands finds him and soon crushes Mr. Bill and Spot in his car. James Taylor performs "Johnnie Comes Back", "Up On The Roof" and "Millworker".
Sat, May 19, 1979
The host for the episode is Maureen Stapleton, and the musical guests are Linda Rondstadt and Phoebe Snow (her third appearance). The skits for this episode are as follows: Ray the telepsychic answers questions from callers to his cable TV show and gives advice on home repairs, marital infidelity and lost relatives. An ad for the navy presents some of the less glamorous jobs it entails. Idi Amin shows up as someone's house guest. A Roach brothel attracts insects even better than a roach motel. Nick the lounge singer performs at the TransEastern. Dolly Parton speaks to a group of Veterans of Foreign Hairdos. Mr. Bill and Spot get beaten and abused by Mr. Hands and Sluggo. Linda Rondtadt and Phoebe Snow perform "It's In His Kiss" and "The Married Men" together.
Sat, May 26, 1979
The host for the episode is Buck Henry (his eighth appearance), and the musical guest is Bette Midler. The skits for this episode are as follows: Mr. Bill goes to Rockefeller Center to see SNL, and almost gets to say the opening announcement. When Jane Curtain throws a tantrum in the control room because she's been passed over yet again to announce the show, John Belushi offers his support, but then steals the line out from under her. For his opening monologue, Buck Henry introduces some members of the audience who are taking part in an experiment to judge the quality of the show: as they gain or lose interest, the screen will shrink or grow in size. As Buck tries to engage the audience in intelligent matters, the picture soon begins to disappear, so he quickly switches to talking about sex. An entrepreneur combines three fun activities with his roller disco fishing park. The samurai baker provides a frantic man with a last-minute wedding cake. After watching the film Blind Ambition, Nixon tries to explain to his family that everything on the tapes was taken out of context because he and his staff were just joking around. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain and Bill Murray report on the aftermath of the Three Mile Island accident, NBC's new logo design, and the recent Canadian elections, Garrett Morris comments on the racial overtones of a recent Rolling Stones song, and Roseanne Roseannadanna starts talking about the gas shortage but wanders into a story about Jane's behavior at the beach. Uncle Roy shows up to babysit and convinces the girls to tie him up and stuff their socks in his mouth. The Olympia diner has burned down, but the owner is hoping to make a profit from the insurance payment. Joan Face interviews a pair of transsexuals who donated the necessary parts to each other. For the closing, Michael O'Donoghue does an impersonation of Elvis with needles through his eyes. Bette Midler performs "Married Men" and "Martha".
Sat, Oct 13, 1979
The host for the episode is Steve Martin (his seventh appearance), and the musical guest is Blondie. The skits for this episode are as follows: The Pope makes an appearance at the Monsterdome, where his security staff has to keep the religious hangers-on from crashing the event. For his opening monologue, Steve Martin talks about his new fashion job, then gets angry at the band when they start an unexpected song. An ad pitches the benefits of Craig's Travelers Checks. A Roman Centurion faces a tribe of vandals who egg the soldiers, TP the camp, and have pizzas delivered to the general's tent. Steve pitches a product that allows him to hover over dirty toilet seats. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain and Bill Murray report on the Republican nominees for the 1980 election, a recall of General Motors cars, Fidel Castro's visit to America, and Mayor Koch's plan to publicizes prostitutes and johns, while Father Guido Sarducci talks about the excitement surrounding the Pope's visit to America. Don Kirshner presents another great moment in rock history: Carol King performing "You've Got a Friend" while her friend is being mugged outside her apartment. Mr. Bill tries to do a show without Mr. Hands, but his ex-partner crashes the show anyway. Two tourists stare in amazement at the audience, wondering 'what is that thing?' Blondie performs "Dreaming" and "The Hardest Part".
Sat, Oct 20, 1979
The host for the episode is Eric Idle (his fourth appearance), and the musical guest is Bob Dylan. The skits for this episode are as follows: A doctor and Lorne Michaels argue over whether Eric Idle is too sick or not to do the show, while Buck Henry keeps pleading to be allowed to host again. For his opening monologue, Eric performs a series of impersonations from a hospital stretcher. Art dealer Tom Clay pitches motel room art as the masterpieces of tomorrow. A customer at a shop just wants to buy some shoes but the clerk keeps complicating matters. Prince Charles talks about how to pick up girls. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain and Bill Murray report on rumors of Premier Brezhnev's death, an election for US President held in London, and some unpopular comments by Princess Margaret about the Irish, while Roseanne Roseannadanna comments on high mortgage rates but ends up talking about bathroom habits at French restaurants. Andy Kaufman challenges women in the audience to a wrestling match. Joan Face hosts Heavy Sarcasm, where her guests are author Nigel Quist and actor Greg Malone. Psychic Dorothy Haagen hosts at advice show where people can tell their problems to Elvis. Bob Dylan performs "Gotta Serve Somebody", "I Believe in You" and "When You Gonna Wake Up".
Sat, Nov 3, 1979
The host for the episode is Bill Russell, and the musical guest is Chicago. The skits for this episode are as follows: Ted Kennedy makes an announcement regarding his candidacy for President. Nick the lounge singer performs at the Borealis. Mr. Bill tries to avoid getting hurt by staying at home, but Mr. Hands finds him anyway. Joe Garagiola does an ad for Chrysler cars. Other skits include The Landers Files, The Black Shadow, Obscure Sports Questions and Barry White's Big & Tall. Chicago performs "I'm A Man" and "Street Player".
Sat, Nov 10, 1979
The host for the episode is Buck Henry (his ninth appearance), and the musical guest is Tom Petty. The skits for this episode are as follows: The cast members start grumbling over Buck Henry hosting the show yet again. During his opening monologue, Buck is oblivious to the hostility from the audience over his hosting again. In a parody ad, a woman tries in vain to get a guy to come to her apartment for a drink, and finally settles on Honker. Todd DiLaMuca and Lisa Loopner try to fix up their single parents on a date together. During the Weekend Update, Father Guido Sarducci gives the latest news from the Catholic Church. Two young kids share tips on how to get their grandparents to give them money. A couple on their way to the hospital use Speci-Paks to save necessary severed body parts. A father who can only use the toilet in his home drives recklessly to get back to the house. Tom Petty performs "Refugee" and "Don't Do Me Like That".
Sat, Nov 17, 1979
The host for the episode is Bea Arthur, and the musical guest is The Roches. The skits for this episode are as follows: After giving a speech, Ronald Regan has all his makeup removed as he gets ready for a long series of naps in between each of his press appearances for the day. An ad pitches Spud Beer, a beer made from potatoes for people who have lost their sense of taste following electroshock therapy. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain reports on the retirement of AFL-CIO leader George Meany, as well as investigations into embezzlement by the boss of the longshoremen's union, while Dr. Franken conducts experiments that mainly involve tearing apart cockroaches. Tom Clay of SaveCo offers viewers great deals on products that had to be rejected from stores for failing government safety inspections. Mr. Bill attempts to build a house for himself and Spot, but Mr. Hands and Sluggo smash him to pieces. Other skits include A Soviet takeover, Aunt Judy's basement, First He Cries, Woman to Woman, a rock opera preview, and Los Beatolos Cubanos. The Roches perform "Bobby's Song" and "Hallelujah Chorus".
Sat, Dec 8, 1979
The host for the episode is Howard Hesseman, and the musical guest is Randy Newman (his third appearance). The skits for this episode are as follows: An Arabic family moves to a wealthy neighborhood in southern California to become the Bel Arabs. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain reports on Ted Kennedy's relationship with his wife, the worsening oil crisis, Steve McQueen's high salary demands and the deadly riot at a Who concert, Chico Escuela reports on the sports news while bemoaning his recent accusation of having impregnated a teenage girl, and Al Franken lauds the end of the Me Decade, hoping the 80's will become the 'Al Franken' decade. Other skits include great moments in rock and roll, personal growth, DJ Steve Marvin, the Nuclear Family, and Holiday Inn horror. Randy Newman performs "It's Money That I Love", "Pants" and "The Story of a Rock & Roll Band".
Sat, Dec 15, 1979
The host for the episode is Martin Sheen, and the musical guest is David Bowie. The skits for this episode are as follows: A little girl keeps finding increasingly scary things hiding in her bedroom, but her parents explain away each one of them and yell for her to go to sleep. Advertisements pitch Le Shoe shoes, Martin Sheen hairspray, Foreveready batteries and the Minolta AM-3 camera. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain reports on the Reagan election campaign, Canadian PM Joe Clark's political troubles, the health risks of late-pregnancy sex, and an investigation into price-gouging by the oil companies, Bill Murray reviews new movie releases, panning films made by recent SNL alumni. Other skits include striking teachers, first love, criminals, and a revision of Freudian theory. David Bowie performs "The Man Who Sold the World", "TVC-15" and "Boys Keep Swinging".
Sat, Dec 22, 1979
The host for the episode is Ted Knight, and the musical guest is Desmond Child & Rouge. The skits for this episode are as follows: The Shah of Iran opens the show with a Christmas greeting for everyone. A secretary goes before the company grievance board to complain about the blatant sexual harassment her boss has been subjecting her to. New York policeman Bob Kopp offers some Christmas advice for everyone to watch their belongings, keep an eye on their wallets, get out of the way and mind their own business if they know what's good for them. A man almost throws his life away on a coffee addiction, but gets help by checking into rehab at Maxwell House. Lisa Loopner and Todd DiLaMuca take part in their school Christmas pageant. Andy Kaufman tries his hand at wrestling women again. Desmond Child & Rouge perform "Tumble In The Night" and "Goodbye Baby".