The 66th episode of Saturday Night Live and the season finale of Season 3, hosted by the actor Buck Henry with musical guest Sun Ra, a jazz composer, bandleader, piano, artist and poet. It premiered on May 20, 1978. This is Buck Henry's 6th time as host and the only musical guest appearance on SNL for Sun Ra.
Cold Open Sketch Pre-recorded Weekend Update Music Performance Other
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Summary
Nixon’s Book Cold Open
Former President Richard Nixon (Dan Aykroyd) invites outraged viewers to buy his book just so they can kick it around.
Opening Montage
Last episode to use the season 3 opening(s). More importantly, it's the last episode to refer to the cast as the "Not Ready for Primetime Players".
Monologue by Buck Henry
As Buck Henry returned to hosted SNL for the sixth time, he speaks glowingly of “Heaven Can Wait” and his friendship with Warren Beatty, a scroll suggests that his career is actually over.
Nerd Prom
The Nerds- Nerd Prom - SNL
Todd (Bill Murray) escorts Lisa (Gilda Radner) to their high school prom.
Samurai T.V. Repairman
Mr. Dantley (Buck Henry) has Futuba (John Belushi) repair his busted TV set.
Sodom Chamber of Commerce
Members of the Sodom Chamber of Commerce (Buck Henry, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Bill Murray, Laraine Newman and Gilda Radner) seek ways to change their city’s vile image in the eyes of outside visitors.
Weekend Update with Jane Curtin & Dan Aykroyd
Laraine Newman narrates drawings from the Son Of Sam trial and Stargazer Bill Murray gives his review of the “The Greek Tycoon” and attempts to call Jackie Onassis. Jane Curtin and Dan Aykroyd debate over who gets to hold which viewpoint during Point/Counterpoint. Dan Aykroyd's last episode as Weekend Update anchor.
The Olympia Cafe
Mr. Mike's Least-Loved Music
Mr. Mike (Michael O’Donoghue) sings “Baby Ghouls” with backing vocals from a vampire (Laraine Newman).
More Insects to Worry About
Joan Face (Jane Curtin) discusses the dangerously artistic Bedanza mite with Dr. Russell Bedanza (Buck Henry).
Stunt Puppy
Howard (Buck Henry) is directed to inflict abuse on puppy in a tense family scene.
Bad Conceptual Art
Leonard Pinth-Garnell (Dan Aykroyd) presents an excerpt from Pavlov’s “Video Chicken I”.
The Franken and Davis Show
Tom Davis reveals that he and Al Franken are gay lovers, destroying Al’s family life immediately.
Sun Ra Performs “Space is the Place” & “Space-Loneliness”
Goodnights
Buck Henry announces that the cast will all be back in the fall and thanked everyone for coming.
Trivia[]
This was initially the final episode for original writer Michael O'Donoghue (who was named as the show’s head writer with its debut in 1975), as he left the show, after three years.
However, O'Donoghue would return to the show as a writer a few more times in the 1980s.