The 3rd episode of Season 6 and the 109th episode of Saturday Night Live premiered on December 6, 1980, hosted by Ellen Burstyn, star of the hit films The Exorcist and the direct sequel, The Exorcist: Believer, Harry and Tonto, Providence. A Dream of Passion, Same Time, Next Year, Resurrection, Silence of the North, The Ambassador, Twice in a Lifetime, Hanna's War, The Cemetery Club, and How to Make an American Quilt, with musical guests Aretha Franklin and Keith Sykes. This was Ellen Burstyn's only hosting stint.
This is also the first and only time respective musical guest stints for Aretha Franklin and Keith Sykes on SNL.
Cold Open Sketch Pre-recorded Weekend Update Music Performance Other
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Summery
A Message From David Rockefeller Cold Opening
David Rockefeller (Charles Rocket) announces that the Reagan administration has decided to make the United States a co-cop, which means the poor are being evicted from the country.
Monologue by Ellen Burstyn
Ellen Burstyn mentions her 48th birthday is in a half-hour, and explains that after all those intense movie roles, it's time for her to lighten up.
Ed McMahon School of Laughing
Pitchman (Joe Piscopo) says an education in laughter skills leads to a fruitful career recording TV laugh tracks.
What's It All About
The Waxmans (Denny Dillon, Gilbert Gottfried) change the subject while interviewing Ellen Burstyn on their cable access show.
The Rocket Report
Staten Island Ferry: Charles Rocket exposes the commuters' secret: instead of working, they were all constantly having sex in Manhattan.
Video Date
New Jersey chemical plant worker (Joe Piscopo) makes a tape for a video dating service with (Gail Matthius)' help.
Aretha Franklin performs "United Together"
Weekend Update with Charles Rocket
Weekend Update- Saturday Night Sports Interviews Raheem Abdul Muhammed - SNL
Joe Piscopo remarks on Roberto Duran’s “no mas” performance vs. Sugar Ray Leonard; meanwhile Raheem Abdul Muhammed (played by soon-to-be cast member Eddie Murphy) denounces quotas for white basketball players; and Dr. Calvin Zukow (Gilbert Gottfried) has first-hand proof that women don’t have orgasms.
Our Front Door
A suburban family (Joe Piscopo, Gail Matthius, Gilbert Gottfried, Denny Dillon) is eager to learn about a junkie's (Charles Rocket) drug addiction.
Pepe Gonzales
A profile of the only bullfighter in New York City (Gilbert Gottfried), who is seen baiting traffic as he describes his life.
Planned Parenthood
Vickie (Gail Matthius) and her scared friend (Denny Dillon) get contraception advice from a counselor (Ellen Burstyn) at Planned Parenthood.
Aretha Franklin performs "Can't Turn You Loose".
The Lesson: Sam The Snake
Privileged English girl Mary Louise (Denny Dillon) is the Dr. Jekyll to her sock puppet Sam the Snake's Mr. Hyde as she terrorizes her tutor (Ellen Burstyn) and maid (Ann Risley).
The Toni Tennille Show
Toni Tenille (Ann Risley) thinks Jean Harris' (Denny Dillon) claims of innocence are segues to discussing her hair and questions about wight loss.
Fish Heads
Music video for the song by Dr. Demento
Blame The Kids
Divorcing parents (Charles Rocket and Ann Risley) tell their children (Mitchell Kriegman and Gail Matthius) that their breakup is actually their fault.
The Old Lady
Dared by her friends, a little girl (Gail Matthius) comes face-to-face with the scary old lady that lives alone in the neighborhood (Ellen Burstyn).
Goodnights and Closing Credits
The cast and guests wish Ellen Burstyn a "Happy Birthday".
