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 May 18, 1991
 Season 16 episode
S16-e20 george wendt
Elvis C16
 Episode 306
 Season Episode 20
 Host George Wendt
 Musical Guest(s) Elvis Costello
 Song(s) performed by
 Musical Guest(s)
"The Other Side of Summer"
"So Like Candy"
Previous Episode
May 11, 1991
Next Episode
September 28, 1991
(Season 17)

The season finale of Season 16 and the 306th episode of Saturday Night Live premiered on May 18, 1991, hosted by actor George Wendt, star of the NBC's hit comedy series Cheers, with returning musical guest Elvis Costello. This is George Wendt's 2nd time hosting and his first appearance in 5 years, 1 month, and 26 days. This is also Elvis Costello's 3rd musical guest appearance on SNL.

He last hosted SNL on the March 22, 1986 episode, the thirteenth episode of SNL's 11th season, along with co-host the film director, producer and screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola, with musical guest Philip Glass.

This is the final episode for longtime cast members: Dennis Miller and Jan Hooks and Miller’s final episode as a Weekend Update anchor. He would be replaced by Kevin Nealon in the following season.

Miller (a cast member and a Weekend Update anchor since 1985), left the show after six years, and Hooks (a cast member since 1986), had left the show after five years.

Cast[]

Repertory Players[]

Also Starring[]

Featured Players[]

Sketches[]

 Cold Open   Sketch   Pre-recorded   Weekend Update   Music Performance   Other 

Title Image Summary
Cold Open
Because it’s Dennis Miller’s last show, Lorne Michaels lets him say the opening line. But Lorne ends up actually saying it, making this the only time he's ever opened the show
Opening montage Dennis Miller and Jan Hooks' final time being credited as cast members.
George Wendt Monologue
George Wendt manhandles a lookalike of Queen Elizabeth.
Lil' General Fireworks Kids love to have harmless fun with explosives.
Mr. No Depth Perception
Two-dimensional guy (Kevin Nealon) throws a dinner party.
Bill Swerski's Superfans
Bob Swerski (George Wendt) & other Super Fans talk about the Bulls & the Bears.
Middle-Aged Man Retired Man (Mike Myers) helps Middle-Aged Man battle Independent Widow (Jan Hooks).
Elvis Costello performs “The Other Side of Summer”.
Weekend Update with Dennis Miller
General Norman Schwarzkopf (Chris Farley) challenges Evander Holyfield to a match; Chris Rock tells why there won’t be a black vice president. This is Dennis Miller's final appearance anchoring Weekend Update and as an SNL cast member.
The Carsenio Show
Johnny Carson (Dana Carvey) borrows from Arsenio’s program.
Burger Line Drive Thru
A family’s order at Burger Barn’s drive-through gets very complicated.
The Shindells
Lyrics of doo-wop group (George Wendt, Chris Rock, Chris Farley, Dana Carvey, Tim Meadows) stray into members’ personal lives.
It's Pat
Barber (George Wendt)'s small talk doesn’t reveal the sex of androgynous Pat.
Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey
On memories of family outings.
I'm Chillin Onski (Chris Rock) plugs Long Leak malt liquor & You’re That Guy credit.
Elvis Costello performs “So Like Candy”.
Sunrise Show Singer of kids’ songs (George Wendt) switches to raunchy lyrics. Jan Hooks' final appearance as an SNL cast member.
Goodnights George Wendt tells the audience to give it up for Dennis (Miller), who is standing front and center on the stage, since it was his last SNL show, after six years.

Trivia[]

  • This is also the final episode for writers Conan O'Brien and Bob Odenkirk.
    • Conan, who had previously started writing for the show in 1988, left the show after 3½ years; while Odenkirk, who started writing in 1987, had left the show after four years.
  • This was also officially the final episode for longtime writer A. Whitney Brown (who had been writing on the show since 1985), as although he made his last onscreen appearance a few months prior), Brown officially exits the show following this episode, after six years with the show.
  • Interestingly, Phil Hartman (who at this point, had been a cast member since 1986), considered leaving the show around this time, as well. But executive producer Lorne Michaels convinced him to stay on, in order to raise his profile.
Preceded by:
May 11, 1991
Saturday Night Live episode Followed by:
September 28, 1991
(Season 17)
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