The 87th episode of Saturday Night Live and the season premiere of Season 5 premiered on October 13, 1979, hosted by comedian, actor, writer, producer, and musician Steve Martin with musical guest Blondie. This is Steve Martin's 7th time hosting and the only musical guest appearance for Blondie, as well as Deborah Harry's musical guest debut on SNL.
This episode and the third and fourth episode's cast only had 5 cast members, making this the smallest SNL cast in history, with this one episode.
Steve Martin's goodnights speech is in the following: "Well, that’s our show. I’d like to thank the musical guest – Blondie. Bill Murray, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner.. everybody.. Garrett Morris. Take a bow, everybody! We’ll see you next week!" (Cheers and applause)
Cold Open Sketch Pre-recorded Weekend Update Music Performance Other
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NBC is "Smart as a Peacock."
The Pope at Monsterdome Cold Open
Pope John Paul II’s (Steve Martin) doorman (Garrett Morris) turns clergy away during his visit to the Monsterdome.
Opening Montage
The montage is the season as the preivous season's. Except that Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi are gone, there's a new zoom-in shot of the Statue of Liberty, and there are several different shots. The cast shots are the same, but have a new background design of little squiggly lines. There's also no featured players in this episode. Lastly, for the first time in SNL history, the theme music has been modified.
Monologue by Steve Martin
Returning to host SNL for the seventh time, comedian and actor Steve Martin dances along to “Stompin’ At The Savoy” while encompassed by strobe lights.
Craig's Traveler's Checks
You can enjoy a worry-free vacation even if you lose Craig’s (Jim Downey) Traveler’s Checks, because he never leaves his apartment.
Spanish Tutor
Spanish Tutor - SNL
Spanish tutor (Steve Martin) visits two people (Bill Murray, Gilda Radner) to give a free language lesson.
The Vandals
A juvenile delinquent Vandal (Al Franken)'s pranks victimize a Centurion (host).
Blondie performs "Dreaming"
Rise
Weekend Update with Jane Curtin and Bill Murray
Father Guido Sarducci talks about merchandizing linked to the Pope’s tour and announces the Find The Popes In The Pizza Contest.
Great Moments in Rock History
Rise spray lifts Steve Martin & Buck Henry above restroom germs.
The David Susskind Show
witnesses say Hamilton Jordan uses cocaine.
Blondie performs "The Hardest Part"
The Bolshoi Ballet
Russian security ventures on-stage to prevent Bolshoi Ballet defection.
The Mr. Bill Show: The All-New Mr. Bill Show
by Walter Williams- Mr. Hands foils retooling.
What The Hell Is That?
What the Hell is That? - SNL
tourists (Steve Martin, Bill Murray) wonder- “What the hell is that?”
Goodnights
Steve Martin thanked Blondie and original cast members Bill Murray, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner and Garrett Morris, as they take a bow and he said "We'll see you next week." Starting with this episode, the Saturday Night Live Band is credited in the end credits, a permanent.
Trivia[]
Harry Shearer's first episode as a writer (he also briefly appears in the Bolshoi Ballet sketch, too).
This was also the first episode for Max Pross and Tom Gamill, Sarah Paley, and Peter Aykroyd as writers.
This is the first episode in which the Saturday Night Live Band (outside of music director Howard Shore or special music provider Paul Shaffer) are listed in the credits, which has since become a staple.
