Saturday Night Live
Season 2
The title card for the second season of Saturday Night Live.
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes22
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 18, 1976 (1976-09-18) –
May 21, 1977 (1977-05-21)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 1
Next →
Season 3
List of episodes

The second season of Saturday Night Live, an American sketch comedy series, originally aired in the United States on NBC from September 18, 1976 to May 21, 1977.

History

Following the cancellation of ABC's Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell, NBC changed the name of the show from NBC's Saturday Night to its current title, Saturday Night Live, for the 17th episode of this second season – the episode hosted by Jack Burns on March 26, 1977.[1] The name change was not made permanent until season 3.

The shows on October 16, October 23, and October 30 1976 were live from NBC's studio complex in Brooklyn, NY. NBC News used Studio 8-H for Presidential election coverage.[citation needed]

This season was the last to feature The Muppets in The Land of Gorch, who had appeared in segments that were unpopular with fans and the SNL writers. Jim Henson was reportedly displeased with the amount of creative control he had over the scripts. Jerry Juhl called Henson "very frustrated" with his input into the scripts, and said the SNL writers "didn't have any real handle" on Henson's concept. "Jim would come in with ideas, and sit with them, and give them wonderful ideas, and they wouldn't know how to fly with them," Juhl recalled.[2] In a 1977 interview with Playboy, head writer/performer Michael O'Donoghue referred to the Muppets as "fucking Muppets ... little hairy facecloths" made from the refuse after they cleaned up after Woodstock. He also refused to write for them, saying "I don't write for felt". O'Donoghue also had a lynched Big Bird hanging in the writer's office.[3]

Jim Downey joined the writing staff in what would be a long career on the show.[4]

Buck Henry, Eric Idle and Steve Martin each hosted two episodes.

The season included a Live from Mardi Gras Special.

Cast

During the prior season, cast members George Coe and Michael O'Donoghue had already left the cast, but O'Donoghue stayed on as the show's head writer. Meanwhile, during the season Chevy Chase left the show following an injury, he returned for Weekend Update in a wheelchair for three episodes before leaving permanently. Jane Curtin took over as Weekend Update anchor. Bill Murray was hired as a replacement for Chevy Chase.

Cast roster

The Not Ready for Prime Time Players

bold denotes Weekend Update anchor

Writers

Main article: List of Saturday Night Live writers § season 2

Jim Downey joined the writing staff.

This season's writers included Dan Aykroyd, Anne Beatts, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Tom Davis, Jim Downey, Al Franken, Bruce McCall, Lorne Michaels, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, Bill Murray, Michael O'Donoghue, Herb Sargent, Tom Schiller, Rosie Shuster and Alan Zweibel. The head writer was Michael O'Donoghue.

Episodes

Main article: List of Saturday Night Live episodes
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No.
overall		No. in
season		HostMusical guest(s)Original air date
251Lily TomlinJames TaylorSeptember 18, 1976 (1976-09-18)

  • James Taylor performs "Shower the People" (with backing vocals played from a reel to reel tape recorder),[5] a cover of "(I'm a) Road Runner"[5] (with saxophonist David Sanborn), and "Sweet Baby James".[5]
  • The episode marks the final appearance of the characters from "The Land of Gorch". In this appearance, King Ploobis, Queen Peuta, Scred and Wisss wake up in a filing cabinet assuming that they are in the afterlife. When they think that their sketch has been revived, they find The Mighty Favog under a dust cover that King Ploobis removes. The Mighty Favog states that this may be their last chance on the show and that they must do whatever they tell them to do. "The Land of Gorch" Muppets are then visited by Lily Tomlin. When Lily states that she heard about The Muppet Show that came out last week, Wisss states that they won't let them be on their show since it's a family show. Lily and "The Land of Gorch" Muppets try to sing "I Whistle a Happy Tune". Unfortunately, "The Land of Gorch" Muppets can't whistle. Lily Tomlin leaves planning to find something else for her and "The Land of Gorch" Muppets to do.
  • Taylor Mead makes a filmed cameo appearance in Gary Weis' piece.
  • The show ends with Paul Shaffer and Lily Tomlin performing the Antler Dance as the entire cast, crew, the characters from "The Land of Gorch", and the audience join in.
  • Contains the "Ford-Carter Debate" sketch.[6]
262Norman LearBoz ScaggsSeptember 25, 1976 (1976-09-25)

273Eric IdleJoe Cocker & StuffOctober 2, 1976 (1976-10-02)

  • Joe Cocker performs "You Are So Beautiful" and "Feelin' Alright".[5] Belushi "duets" with Cocker on the latter.
  • Richard Belzer, the show's warm-up comedian during season 1, makes a cameo appearance during the cold open impersonating the still-injured Chase, who contributes via phone.
  • There is a recurring joke throughout this episode where Eric Idle tries to sing George Harrison's "Here Comes The Sun" in a gruff, angry voice before getting stopped by various cast members. Harrison himself performed the song with Paul Simon on the show almost 2 months later.
  • First US television appearance of The Rutles, in response to Lorne Michaels' Beatles offer from the previous season.
  • Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau appears in the audience with the caption "Doomed".
284Karen BlackJohn PrineOctober 16, 1976 (1976-10-16)

  • John Prine performs "Hello in There" and "The Bottomless Lake".[5]
  • The second appearance of Mr. Bill in response to the show's request for home movies.
  • This episode was performed in Brooklyn, while Studio 8H was used for election coverage.[7]
295Steve MartinKinky FriedmanOctober 23, 1976 (1976-10-23)

  • Kinky Friedman performs "Dear Abbie".[5]
  • This episode was performed in Brooklyn, while Studio 8H was used for election coverage.[7]
  • This is the first episode Steve Martin hosts.
306Buck HenryThe BandOctober 30, 1976 (1976-10-30)

317Dick CavettRy CooderNovember 13, 1976 (1976-11-13)

  • Ry Cooder performs "Tattler" and "He'll Have to Go".[5]
  • Chevy Chase appears as the lead in the filmed sketch “Mobile Shrink”.[5]
  • This is the first episode where "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" was recited by a female cast member.
  • According to Cavett during his monologue, Elliott Gould was supposed to host this episode but had to cancel for unknown reasons.
  • Richard Belzer makes an appearance as the grandson in the Bees sketch.
328Paul SimonPaul Simon & George HarrisonNovember 20, 1976 (1976-11-20)

339Jodie FosterBrian WilsonNovember 27, 1976 (1976-11-27)

  • Brian Wilson appears solo, though he's promoting the current Beach Boys release 15 Big Ones. He performs "Back Home", "Love is a Woman", and the Beach Boys' hit, "Good Vibrations".[5] He also appears in the "Metal Detector" sketch as a security guard.
  • Chevy Chase appears in the Pilson’s Feedbag Dinner commercial.
  • The fourth wall is broken as Jodie Foster addresses the audience in the Bee sketch.
  • A running gag throughout the episode involves Gilda's appearances kept to a minimum, as if she was being quietly phased out of the show.
3410Candice BergenFrank Zappa with Don Pardo as "The Slime"December 11, 1976 (1976-12-11)

  • Frank Zappa performs "I'm the Slime" (with Don Pardo), "The Purple Lagoon" (with John Belushi in character as Samurai Futaba who carries out a call and response with Frank Zappa's band), and "Peaches en Regalia".[5] He also appeared in "The Killer Trees" sketch.
  • First appearance of Irwin Mainway.
  • During the "Right to Extreme Stupidity" sketch, Candice Bergen slips up and addresses Gilda Radner's character as Fern, which is actually the name of Bergen's character. While Bergen is reduced to spontaneous laughter, Radner responds by inverting the sketch's premise ("We can't all be brainy like Fern here!").
  • Candice Bergen and the cast perform "Let's Kill Gary Gilmore for Christmas".
  • The show ends with Candice Bergen ad-libbing a closing and the cast ice skating around Rockefeller Plaza.
  • Truman Capote was originally set to host this episode but had to bow out due to illness.
3511Ralph NaderGeorge BensonJanuary 15, 1977 (1977-01-15)

  • George Benson performs "This Masquerade" and "Gonna Love You More". He also appears in the "Execution Rehearsal" sketch as a priest.[5]
  • First appearance of the Coneheads.[8]
  • First appearance of Rhonda Weiss.
  • Andy Kaufman makes his fifth appearance.
  • Bill Murray's first episode as a cast member (he replaces an injured John Belushi, who only appears via telephone).
3612Ruth GordonChuck BerryJanuary 22, 1977 (1977-01-22)

3713Fran TarkentonLeo Sayer
Donnie Harper		January 29, 1977 (1977-01-29)

  • Fran Tarkenton becomes the first athlete to host the show.
  • During the monologue, Tarkenton attempts to sing the song "Feelings" only to be replaced by Garrett Morris.
  • A running gag throughout this episode involved several sketches being played out like a football game, with John Belushi acting as coach.
  • Leo Sayer performs "When I Need You" and "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing".[5]
  • Donnie Harper performs "Sing a Song".[5]
3814Steve MartinThe KinksFebruary 26, 1977 (1977-02-26)

3915Sissy SpacekRichard BaskinMarch 12, 1977 (1977-03-12)

  • Contains the "Ask President Carter" sketch.
  • Richard Baskin performs "One I Love You" (as a duet with Spacek) and "City of One-Night Stands".[5]
  • This episode won an Emmy Award.
4016Broderick CrawfordLevon Helm
Dr. John
The Meters		March 19, 1977 (1977-03-19)

  • Levon Helm performed "Ain't That a Lot of Love".[5]
  • Dr. John performs "Sing Sing Sing".[5]
  • The Meters performs "My Name up in Lights".[5]
  • Linda Ronstadt makes a special appearance in the opening sketch as a back-up singer of the "Rondettes".
  • This episode includes Bill Murray's direct appeal that "I don't think I'm making it on the show."
  • The last episode to carry the title NBC's Saturday Night.
4117Jack BurnsSantanaMarch 26, 1977 (1977-03-26)

4218Julian BondTom Waits
Brick		April 9, 1977 (1977-04-09)

  • Tom Waits performs "Eggs and Sausage (In a Cadillac with Susan Michelson)".[5]
  • Brick performs "Dazz".[5]
4319Elliott GouldMcGarrigle Sisters
Roslyn Kind		April 16, 1977 (1977-04-16)

  • The McGarrigle Sisters performs "Kiss and Say Goodbye" and "Heart Like a Wheel".[5]
  • Roslyn Kind performs "I'm Not Anyone".[5]
  • First appearance of Nick The Lounge Singer.[9]
4420Eric IdleAlan Price
Neil Innes		April 23, 1977 (1977-04-23)

  • Contains the "Frost/Nixon" sketch.
  • Alan Price performs "In Times Like These" and "Poor People".[5]
  • Neil Innes performs "Cheese and Onions" (as Nasty) and "Shangri-La".[5]
  • "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth" (played by Jeannette Charles) assists in the telethon to "Save Great Britain" at "555-1066", which is a running sketch throughout the show.
4521Shelley DuvallJoan ArmatradingMay 14, 1977 (1977-05-14)

  • Joan Armatrading performs "Love and Affection" and "Down to Zero".[5]
  • Lorne Michaels appears in the opening sketch, with Shelley Duvall and John Belushi in Bee costumes.
  • The opening montage is only shown on a backstage TV, as the camera follows Shelley Duvall, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman and Gilda Radner onto the stage to sing as the "Video Vixens."
  • Chevy Chase appears in the audience during one of the commercial bumpers, with the caption "USED TO BE ON THE SHOW."
  • Spalding Gray narrates and appears in the video "Brides".
4622Buck HenryJennifer Warnes
Kenny Vance		May 21, 1977 (1977-05-21)

Special

TitleOriginal air date
"Live from Mardi Gras"February 20, 1977 (1977-02-20)
The cast and crew participate in the annual Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans. Jane Curtin and Buck Henry try to provide commentary on the parade. Eric Idle, Penny Marshall and Henry Winkler cameo in the special. Randy Newman performed "Louisiana 1927", "Marie", "Kingfish", and "Sail Away".[5]

Home media

The Mardi Gras Special and all 22 episodes were released on a DVD set on December 4, 2007.[10]

References

  1. ^ Rothman, Lily (September 26, 2014). "The Surprising Story Behind Saturday Night Live's Most Famous Line". Time. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  2. ^ Jones, Brian (September 29, 2013). "Escape from "Saturday Night Live," birth of "The Muppet Show"". Salon. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  3. ^ "Three Muppet Conflicts & How They Were Resolved". November 23, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  4. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (March 3, 2008). "'SNL' Writer Narrows the Gap Between Politics and Farce". The New York Times. Retrieved March 29, 2015. Mr. Downey joined "SNL" in its second season, alongside another new hire, Bill Murray. Mr. Downey left in 1980, going on to become head writer for "Late Night With David Letterman" before returning in 1984.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Saturday Night Live: The First Twenty Years. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 1994. pp. 124–127. ISBN 0-395-70895-8.
  6. ^ Saturday Night Live: The First Twenty Years. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 1994. pp. 199–200. ISBN 0-395-70895-8.
  7. ^ a b c Saturday Night Live: The First Twenty Years. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 1994. pp. 264. ISBN 0-395-70895-8.
  8. ^ Saturday Night Live: The First Twenty Years. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 1994. pp. 92–95. ISBN 0-395-70895-8.
  9. ^ Saturday Night Live: The First Twenty Years. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 1994. pp. 98–101. ISBN 0-395-70895-8.
  10. ^ "Saturday Night Live - The Complete 2nd Season". tvshowsondvd.com. TV Guide Online. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
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