"I hope the Trekkies have a sense of humor or I'm in deep trouble"
Cold Open: Ballad Of The Mute Marine
3 Stars
Marines sing about Oliver North
Shatner stands in a military outfit surrounded by singing marines.
"Fighting soldier in Vietnam. The perfect son to any mom. One part man. One part machine. He's Ollie North, the mute marine."
The song goes on to say that he traded arms with Iran, had two Swiss bank accounts in his name and refuses to talk to congress. All the historical context I needed was in the song and they included handy lyrics on screen with a bouncy ball. It ends with Shatner raising his hand but deciding not to say anything. The only thing he can see is 'Live from New York...'
William Shatner Monologue
Shatner stands in a military outfit surrounded by singing marines.
"Fighting soldier in Vietnam. The perfect son to any mom. One part man. One part machine. He's Ollie North, the mute marine."
The song goes on to say that he traded arms with Iran, had two Swiss bank accounts in his name and refuses to talk to congress. All the historical context I needed was in the song and they included handy lyrics on screen with a bouncy ball. It ends with Shatner raising his hand but deciding not to say anything. The only thing he can see is 'Live from New York...'
William Shatner Monologue
Shatner is excited because Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home was a huge hit. He then talks about the Star Trek fan base and the conventions that are held. He thinks that we'd like to see what one of them is really like. I'm not rating this segment as it is just an excuse to throw to the first sketch.
16th Annual Star Trek Convention
16th Annual Star Trek Convention
5 Stars
Shatner berates his fans
Kevin, Dana and Jon are all geeking out over Star Trek trivia when Phil comes out to introduce a special guest. William Shatner will be fielding a few questions for the fans. Dana wants to know what the combination to his safe was in episode 25, Shatner does not remember. After a couple of other inane questions, Bill tells them all to get a life. There wasting their time on a TV show. They should move out of their parents basement and grow the hell up.
"Are you saying we should pay more attention to the movies?"
A. Whitney Brown tries to smooth things over with the crowd as Shatner argues with Hartman in the wings. Shatner returns and tells them that he was actually recreating his character of Evil Kirk from the classic episode 'The Enemy Within'. The satisfied crowd applauds. This is one of those sketches that gets rerun a lot, it was so memorable that Shatner titled his memoir 'Get A Life' and continued to piss off Star Trek fans for decades after.
Christmas Party
"Are you saying we should pay more attention to the movies?"
A. Whitney Brown tries to smooth things over with the crowd as Shatner argues with Hartman in the wings. Shatner returns and tells them that he was actually recreating his character of Evil Kirk from the classic episode 'The Enemy Within'. The satisfied crowd applauds. This is one of those sketches that gets rerun a lot, it was so memorable that Shatner titled his memoir 'Get A Life' and continued to piss off Star Trek fans for decades after.
Christmas Party
3 Stars
Liz Sweeney got engaged, so they sing a medleyCandy Sweeney is passing out hors d'oeuvres at a party when her sister shows up with Shatner, playing a lounge singer, and shows off her engagement ring. To celebrate her pending nuptials they sing a Christmas medley. They sing Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bell Rock, Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells and as usual close it out with The Trolley Song. This is always more fun than it is funny. The performances are key here and Hooks especially is on fire. When you get down to it SNL is a variety show so something like this is welcome from time to time and it's also Christmas themed so it's fun. It's not really a sketch per se but they did give us some character development, I wonder if we will ever get another mention of Liz's fiancée.
T.J. Hooker: Little Blue Riding Hood
3 Stars
T.J. tries to stop a criminal by jumping on his hood
Dana and Victoria are sitting in a police station waiting for T.J. Hooker to radio in and he's late in doing so. They finally get the call and we see Shatner riding on the hood of a car at very high speeds.
"Were you able to jump on the hood?"
"Oh yeah."
"Can you get the license number?"
"I'll try to read it with my foot."
T.J. drops his radio and is forced to spend a few days on the hood, this car gets awesome mileage and he fell asleep when they stopped for gas. He wakes up covered in snow (and the edge of the backdrop can clearly be seen). He hitchhikes home and they laugh and freeze. This was cute and the image of Shatner riding the car was really funny at first. I wish it went in more absurd directions though. There was a lot more fun that could have been had here.
Lone Justice
"Were you able to jump on the hood?"
"Oh yeah."
"Can you get the license number?"
"I'll try to read it with my foot."
T.J. drops his radio and is forced to spend a few days on the hood, this car gets awesome mileage and he fell asleep when they stopped for gas. He wakes up covered in snow (and the edge of the backdrop can clearly be seen). He hitchhikes home and they laugh and freeze. This was cute and the image of Shatner riding the car was really funny at first. I wish it went in more absurd directions though. There was a lot more fun that could have been had here.
Lone Justice
"Shelter"
I had never heard of Lone Justice before and I was digging this song so I looked them up. Apparently they broke up after their one album. The lead singer went solo and acheived a level of fame from the only original song on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, "If Love Is A Red Dress (Hang Me In Rags). Their sound here is like country/rock and the song was really fun.
Weekend Update
"The president shows the size of his prostate gland"
Miller has 'Touch Me' by The Doors as his intro this week and warns us all to settle down or he will turn this newscast around and drive us straight home. He had a couple good lines this week. He talks about a couple of criminals who avoided jail time and says he hasn't seen that many people get off since Caligula and in regards to Oliver North saying he puts his trust in the Lord, the Lord was asked for comment and pleaded the 5th.
Al Franken is here to explain the surgical procedure that President Reagan is going to go through for his enlarged prostate. As he talks about catheters and telescopes getting inserted into the urethra he starts to squirm. As he goes into more detail he starts writhing in his chair and banging his hands on the desk. It was a very funny desk piece and a nice performance by Franken.
Star Trek V: The Restaurant Enterprise
Al Franken is here to explain the surgical procedure that President Reagan is going to go through for his enlarged prostate. As he talks about catheters and telescopes getting inserted into the urethra he starts to squirm. As he goes into more detail he starts writhing in his chair and banging his hands on the desk. It was a very funny desk piece and a nice performance by Franken.
Star Trek V: The Restaurant Enterprise
5 Stars
The Enterprise has been purchased by Marriott and turned into a theme restaurant
Mr. Spock is taking an order that he finds illogical. Why would someone order the shrimp cocktail appetizer and the seafood platter when the platter includes shrimp. Hartman comes in as Dr. McCoy.
"Damnit, Spock. You and your infernal Vulcan logic. You just talked them out of a shrimp cocktail, possibly 2!"
Captain Kirk comes out and is upset because Wednesday night is Crab Night but they have run out of crab and are now serving humpback whale. Jan Hooks is an upset customer who complains that her lobster salad doesn't taste right. Dr. McCoy scans it with his tricorder.
"Jim, there's no dressing on this at all. It's completely dry!"
Production designer Akira Yoshimura plays Sulu as he did in 1976 and will again in 2017. He says that the dispenser is jammed and will take days to repair. They mix French dressing with mayonnaise and relish which does the trick. Before Sulu can go back to his post he gets dressed down by his captain.
"Mr. Sulu, you've been putting on a little weight. Don't let me regret my policy of free food for the crew."
The censors pick up an unidentified life form and in walks Carvey as Kahn. He's here to destroy the enterprise but before he does he needs to address Mr. Sulu's weight gain.
"The enterprise will be...Sulu? My God, what has happened to you?"
"We all get older, Kahn."
"Look at you! Turn around."
Kahn says that his business is official and he brings out a health inspector.
"No paper towels in the employee washroom. No sneeze guard on the salad bar. Dirty silverware stored next to clean."
Kirk has a plan though, he borrows some money from Dr. McCoy and greases the inspector's palm. He tells Spock to never underestimate the power of human greed. I loved this and thought the entire cast played their parts perfectly, including Carvey who pulled triple duty as the voices of Scotty and Chekhov over the intercom.
Look At That!
"Damnit, Spock. You and your infernal Vulcan logic. You just talked them out of a shrimp cocktail, possibly 2!"
Captain Kirk comes out and is upset because Wednesday night is Crab Night but they have run out of crab and are now serving humpback whale. Jan Hooks is an upset customer who complains that her lobster salad doesn't taste right. Dr. McCoy scans it with his tricorder.
"Jim, there's no dressing on this at all. It's completely dry!"
Production designer Akira Yoshimura plays Sulu as he did in 1976 and will again in 2017. He says that the dispenser is jammed and will take days to repair. They mix French dressing with mayonnaise and relish which does the trick. Before Sulu can go back to his post he gets dressed down by his captain.
"Mr. Sulu, you've been putting on a little weight. Don't let me regret my policy of free food for the crew."
The censors pick up an unidentified life form and in walks Carvey as Kahn. He's here to destroy the enterprise but before he does he needs to address Mr. Sulu's weight gain.
"The enterprise will be...Sulu? My God, what has happened to you?"
"We all get older, Kahn."
"Look at you! Turn around."
"No paper towels in the employee washroom. No sneeze guard on the salad bar. Dirty silverware stored next to clean."
Kirk has a plan though, he borrows some money from Dr. McCoy and greases the inspector's palm. He tells Spock to never underestimate the power of human greed. I loved this and thought the entire cast played their parts perfectly, including Carvey who pulled triple duty as the voices of Scotty and Chekhov over the intercom.
Look At That!
3 Stars
A man digs his reflection while his wife gets ready
Nora is putting on her makeup in the bathroom mirror when Shatner comes in.
"Look at those shoulders. Look at that chest. Look at that body."
It becomes apparent that he is talking about himself. He keeps flexing and posing until she tells him it's time to go. That's all the sketch is, Shatner does a good job with the physicality of the sketch but it's just William Shatner enjoying his body for 5 minutes.
Christmas Memories
"Look at those shoulders. Look at that chest. Look at that body."
It becomes apparent that he is talking about himself. He keeps flexing and posing until she tells him it's time to go. That's all the sketch is, Shatner does a good job with the physicality of the sketch but it's just William Shatner enjoying his body for 5 minutes.
Christmas Memories
5 Stars
Kevin Nealon shares some of his favorite Christmas memories
Nealon remembers growing up in a storybook town. Everything decorated, snow on the ground and a cute little shop. It's Christmas Eve so you know the owner is at home with his family, so you break in and take whatever you want. Over the river and through the woods, is the way his grandmother used to drive. Remember when you go home and you have a little fire going, no fireplace, your sister was smoking in bed. There's a fruitcake on the table, named Steven. Then comes Christmas Eve and you get all snug in your PJs and try to fall asleep so you can wake up early but you can't because it's 3 in the afternoon so you sneak downstairs and drink all your dad's whiskey. Then you get visions of sugarplums in your head and the room starts spinning and you throw up on the sheets. Those are the things Kevin really misses. I'm really enjoying these random Kevin Nealon talking into camera segments. I gave him a lot of crap in my season 19 recaps because he just wasn't that great behind the Update desk but he's been consistently hilarious this whole season.
It's A Wonderful Life
It's A Wonderful Life
5 Stars
The alternate ending to Frank Capra's classic
The town is all here to help out George Bailey and special guest Kevin Meany gets his first line of the night as he congratulates George. During the cheers, Uncle Billy comes in and says he remembers what he did with the $8,000 he was supposed to deposit. He had it with him at the bank and Mr. Potter deposited that same amount right after he left.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go get him."
We cut to Mr. Potter as the town breaks down his doors.
"You made a mistake, Mr. Potter. You double crossed me and left me alive."
George Bailey knocks Mr. Potter out of his wheelchair and kicks him around a bit. Potter gets up to reveal that he's not even a cripple. Before he can explain he gets punched in the gut as people hold him down. They knock him over the desk and when George pulls him back up he's been replaced with a dummy that they start kicking and throwing around and beating with sticks. The town starts singing 'Auld Land Syne'. This is one of the all time classic sketches that I never get tired of watching.
Lone Justice returns to sing "I Found Love" which is another rad song and a great set.
The True Life Story Of Frankie Toussaint
"What are we waiting for? Let's go get him."
We cut to Mr. Potter as the town breaks down his doors.
"You made a mistake, Mr. Potter. You double crossed me and left me alive."
George Bailey knocks Mr. Potter out of his wheelchair and kicks him around a bit. Potter gets up to reveal that he's not even a cripple. Before he can explain he gets punched in the gut as people hold him down. They knock him over the desk and when George pulls him back up he's been replaced with a dummy that they start kicking and throwing around and beating with sticks. The town starts singing 'Auld Land Syne'. This is one of the all time classic sketches that I never get tired of watching.
Lone Justice returns to sing "I Found Love" which is another rad song and a great set.
The True Life Story Of Frankie Toussaint
4 Stars
A series of mishaps lands a man in the electric chair
Griffin Dunne drops his brother off in a hospital and the doctor (played by Tom Davis) tells him that they lost him.
"That's alright. I'm sure you did everything you could."
"No. I could have done one more thing but it didn't pop into my head until just now."
The doctor has been distracted recently because he's trying to get his MBA on the side. As he tries to explain further, Dunne grabs a phone and beats him to death. We cut to his trial where the judge sentences him to death.
"You didn't just kill a surgeon. You killed a master of business administration."
As he's being led out of the courtroom he screams that the doctor hasn't completed his thesis yet but it's no use. We then cut to him being walked to the electric chair but the priest gets paged on his beeper and needs to leave before giving the last rites. As he's about to give his last words the executioner pulls the switch early and the warden complains. This was a really fun and well edited short film. Comparing it to last week's Bob Roberts, this was way funnier and easier to follow.
Buster Poindexter
"That's alright. I'm sure you did everything you could."
"No. I could have done one more thing but it didn't pop into my head until just now."
The doctor has been distracted recently because he's trying to get his MBA on the side. As he tries to explain further, Dunne grabs a phone and beats him to death. We cut to his trial where the judge sentences him to death.
"You didn't just kill a surgeon. You killed a master of business administration."
As he's being led out of the courtroom he screams that the doctor hasn't completed his thesis yet but it's no use. We then cut to him being walked to the electric chair but the priest gets paged on his beeper and needs to leave before giving the last rites. As he's about to give his last words the executioner pulls the switch early and the warden complains. This was a really fun and well edited short film. Comparing it to last week's Bob Roberts, this was way funnier and easier to follow.
Buster Poindexter
"Zat You, Santa Claus?"
Buster closes this Christmas show with Louis Armstrong's Christmas classic about a man worried as to whether the man outside his door is Santa or a home invader.
FINAL ANALYSIS
"Push it to the limit. I want full relish, Mr. Sulu."
Average
4 Stars
MVP
Dana Carvey
Mute Marine, Star Trek Convention, T.J. Hooker, Star Trek V, It's A Wonderful Life
Mute Marine, Star Trek Convention, T.J. Hooker, Star Trek V, It's A Wonderful Life
Best Sketch
It's A Wonderful Life
Worst Sketch
Look At That!
How I Would Have Lorne Michaels-ed It
Placement was pretty perfect this episode. I loved how the monologue transitioned to the first sketch. It's something I wish the show would do more seeing as how the monologue is usually the weakest part of the show. The show was so good that they had to move the best sketch to the end of the night.
Host Analysis
Shatner seemed to be having fun poking fun at his most famous roles. He was fun and committed to all his roles which is all I ask out of a host. This was his only hosting stint and since the show was so self referential (two Star Trek sketches and a TJ Hooker sketch) I'm not sure what he would do with a second. We probably would have gotten more sketches like Look At That! so it's probably best that he was a one and done.
Final Thoughts
Best episode of the season so far. It had some classic sketches and was consistently good throughout. It started off great, ended great and stayed great in the middle. It also had a solid musical guest. Even the worst sketches were good. My highest rating was 5 stars and my lowest rating was 3 stars. Can't ask for much more than that.
One final mention. This episode was apparently a try out for stand up comedian Kevin Meaney to join the cast. He was billed as a special guest star but only had one line as far as I could tell. He told George Bailey that he was great, appeared as one the Trekkies and choked on a fish sandwich in The Restaurant Enterprise. He didn't fit in with the rest of the cast and was not hired. I'm not sure what role he would have played in the cast as I've never really seen him act in anything. He played the John Candy role in the short lived Uncle Buck sitcom but he was mainly known as stand up and a good and respected one. It would have been nice if they cut Buster Poindexter and gave Meaney a set to close out the night because having him play thankless roles all night just seems like a waste of his talent. Sadly, he died in 2016 and if you've never seen him I encourage you to check out some of his stuff on YouTube as he always had me in stitches when I would watch him on Comedy Central when I was younger.
Up Next
One final mention. This episode was apparently a try out for stand up comedian Kevin Meaney to join the cast. He was billed as a special guest star but only had one line as far as I could tell. He told George Bailey that he was great, appeared as one the Trekkies and choked on a fish sandwich in The Restaurant Enterprise. He didn't fit in with the rest of the cast and was not hired. I'm not sure what role he would have played in the cast as I've never really seen him act in anything. He played the John Candy role in the short lived Uncle Buck sitcom but he was mainly known as stand up and a good and respected one. It would have been nice if they cut Buster Poindexter and gave Meaney a set to close out the night because having him play thankless roles all night just seems like a waste of his talent. Sadly, he died in 2016 and if you've never seen him I encourage you to check out some of his stuff on YouTube as he always had me in stitches when I would watch him on Comedy Central when I was younger.
Up Next
Joe Montana and Walter Payton host the show together in honor of the upcoming Super Bowl.
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