This Emmy-nominated episode has acquired a reputation as the best of all Martin’s hosting gigs. Its not my favorite episode…I do like it though… but it’s probably one of the most important in the show’s history. It was a turning point for SNL. It went from a cult hit to a major player in the ratings during this period. Many people have picked it as the best episode.
Saturday Night Live has always been hit or miss in any era. The difference in the 70s is they would take more chances and Lorne made sure everyone had a chance in the cast.
The show introduced a lot of comedians and some unknown musical artists like Redbone and others that would not have gotten coverage on a network show.
Saturday Night Live: Steve Martin/Blues Brothers
The Cast: Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Bill Murray, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner, The Blues Brothers, and Don Pardo
The host for the episode is Steve Martin (his fifth appearance), and the musical guest is The Blues Brothers (their second appearance). The skits for this episode are as follows: Concert promoter Don Kirschner presents footage of an old club performance by The Blues Brothers. For his opening monologue, Steve Martin talks about the inspiration for his comedy ideas, then does a magic act that ends with him tackling and beating a member of the audience.
The Festrunk brothers prepare their apartment for the two girls they believe are on the way, but their neighbor Cliff tells them they’ve been stood up. Medieval doctor Theodoric of York treats a series of patients by draining their blood. A man and woman catch each other’s notice in a crowded club, and dance together romantically as the rest of the club freezes in place around them. During the Weekend Update, Jane Curtain and Dan Aykroyd debate abortion, Jane reports on Carter’s energy policy and a new nasal contraceptive, and Dan berates Garrett Morris for short-changing him on the weed he bought. Steve performs a song about King Tut. The Nerds Todd and Lisa prepare their science fair projects. The Blues Brothers perform “I Don’t Know”.
PowerPop... An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture 
Lou Marini (by this time an alumnus of BS&T) on the saxophone solo in “King Tut.”
“They will let us feel their big American breasts!” As I recall the sketch, the girls (who are from the same country as the Festrunks) finally arrive and immediately fall for Cliff, while their uncle (John Belushi) and the Festrunks go out looking for chicks…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love the 70s SNL. I could watch it non stop.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In 1304, Theodoric of Freiberg (1250-1310) German monk and physicist discovered the actual scientific cause of the rainbow. Theodoric proposed the hypothesis that each raindrop in the cloud makes its own rainbow. He watched what happened to sunlight as it passed through a large globe filled with water and after observing the diffraction of sunlight in a circular bottle he verified his hypothesis.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There was a time where every Saturday, my boyfriend and I would go over to our friend’s house. We’d smoke a little wacky tobacky and watch The Muppet Show, then listen to music and philosophize until SNL came on. Those were some very happy times. SNL in the 70s is some of the finest tv ever made.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would just peek at it while my sister watched. I’ve read about JUST what you said. It was more of an event than it was just a TV show. People would group around the TV and make a night of it…which is really cool…with a little help lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Back in the day when SNL was GOOD.
LikeLiked by 1 person
YES!!! I have the first 10 seasons. That is about all I want …although I wouldn’t mind some of the 90s but not all of it.
Piscopo and Murphy were funny but it turned into the Piscopo and Murphy show…the rest of the cast were just extras.
LikeLike
Did you see this post:
http://fanbuzz.com/national/george-carlin-snl-monologue/
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is good. I really like Carlin and I like the bit but not the sport as much lol. Having him on the first show really bought them credibility for the underground when it premiered.
LikeLike