Ep 12. Dick Cavett/Marshall Efron, Jimmy Cliff

In the twelfth episode of Saturday Night Live’s first season, viewers were treated to a star-studded lineup, headlined by talk show host Dick Cavett and actor/comedian Marshall Efron. The episode also featured musical guest Jimmy Cliff, known for his contributions to the reggae music genre.

As with previous episodes, SNL season 1 episode 12 was primarily comprised of a series of sketches and pre-recorded segments. Hosting duties were shared by Cavett and Efron, with each appearing in a number of sketches throughout the night. One memorable sketch featured Cavett as the talk show host he was in real life, interviewing a group of “ex-hippies” who had abandoned their counterculture ways and become conservative politicians. Efron also appeared in a number of comedic sketches, showcasing his dry wit and irreverent humor.

One of the most memorable sketches of the night featured Chevy Chase as the host of a fictional quiz show called “Word Association.” In the sketch, Chase’s character would provide a series of words to the contestant, who had to respond with the first word that came to mind. However, the catch was that all of the words were inherently suggestive (albeit not explicitly sexual) and caused Chase’s character to become progressively more flustered as the game went on. The sketch perfectly encapsulated the show’s irreverent humor and willingness to push boundaries, and it remains a fan favorite to this day.

Another standout moment came during a pre-recorded segment entitled “Samurai Hotel,” in which John Belushi played a hotel employee who also happened to be a skilled samurai warrior. The sketch was a parody of the popular samurai film genre, and featured Belushi wielding a sword while responding to ridiculous customer requests. It was a clear demonstration of the show’s willingness to experiment with different concepts and formats, and it remains a beloved SNL classic.

As for the musical guest, Jimmy Cliff’s performance was a highlight of the episode. Cliff is considered one of the most influential musicians in the history of reggae, and his appearance on SNL was a rare opportunity for American audiences to see him perform live. Cliff played two songs during his segment, “The Harder They Come” and “Many Rivers to Cross,” both of which are now considered classic tracks within the reggae genre.

Overall, SNL season 1 episode 12 was another strong entry in the show’s debut season. The combination of established stars like Cavett and up-and-comers like Efron helped to create a varied and entertaining show, and the musical performances helped to round out the episode. While the show would continue to evolve and change over the years, this episode remains a testament to the early days of SNL and the innovative spirit that helped make it such a cultural phenomenon.