The host for the episode is Ruth Gordon, and the musical guest is Chuck Berry. The skits for this episode are as follows: John Belushi's doctor announces that he will cut off the cast's drug supply if they don't put John in tonight's show. Barbra Streisand performs a song that's all about herself. Emily Litella visits with her sister to talk about current events. Dino De Laurentiis gives an interview with Tom Snyder about his new remake of King Kong, claiming that his ape was much easier to work with than the original Kong. During the Weekend Update, Laraine Newman interviews President Carter's mother, and Jane Curtin reports on the inauguration, a restaurant hold up, and elections in India, then scolds Emily Litella for not preparing a report this week. In a Gary Weis film, Garrett Morris' girlfriend complains about his long absences. An elderly woman takes a job as a hooker. A little girl and her babysitter compare notes on where babies come from. Mr. Bill gets chopped apart by Sluggo the Magician. Ricky Jay performs several magic tricks for the audience. E. Buzz Miller gets turned on by an anthropologist's film about a remote native tribe. Mr. Mike tells a bedtime story about a worm who gets run over by a truck. Chuck Berry performs "Johnny B. Goode" and "Marie & Carol".
—Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>