Ep 18. Steven Seagal/Michael Bolton

Steven Seagal/Michael Bolton episode of Saturday Night Live season 16 episode 18 is a classic episode of the iconic sketch comedy show. It aired on April 20, 1991, and featured Steven Seagal, the popular martial artist and actor, as the host, and Michael Bolton, the famous pop singer, as the musical guest.

The episode opens with a sketch titled "Cold Open: The Deal," which parodies the ongoing drama of the Gulf War. The sketch features Dana Carvey as President George H.W. Bush, and Phil Hartman as Secretary of State James Baker. In the sketch, Bush and Baker are trying to negotiate a deal with Saddam Hussein, played by Kevin Nealon, in a humorous take on global politics.

The host Steven Seagal then takes the stage for his monologue, which is a mix of humor and martial arts. Seagal, who was known for his impressive martial arts skills in his movies, demonstrates some of his moves on stage in a light-hearted manner. He also references his recent role in the movie "Hard to Kill" and makes fun of his image as an action hero.

The next sketch is a parody of the popular daytime talk show, "Donahue." The sketch features Phil Hartman as the host, and Seagal as a guest who promotes his new book on the show. The book, titled "The Way of the Shadow," is a humorous take on Seagal's image as a martial arts expert. The sketch is a clever play on the type of self-help books that were common in the 90s.

The episode also features several memorable recurring characters and sketches, including "The Denise Show." The sketch is a parody of the popular talk show "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and features Ellen Cleghorne as the host, Denise. In the sketch, Denise interviews guests and gives advice in a humorous and often absurd manner. The sketch is known for its catchphrase, "I'm Denise, and I'm here to help."

Another classic sketch from the episode is "Pumping Up with Hans and Franz." The sketch features Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon as two Austrian bodybuilders who parody the popular fitness culture of the 80s and 90s. The sketch is known for its catchphrase, "We want to pump you up," and features the two characters giving fitness advice in a humorous and over-the-top manner.

In addition to the sketches, the episode also features several commercial parodies, including a spoof of the popular hair care brand, "Vidal Sassoon," and a fake ad for a product called "Jingleheimer's Jelly." The commercials are a satire of the advertising industry and are known for their clever humor.

The musical guest for the episode, Michael Bolton, performs two of his hit songs, "Love is a Wonderful Thing," and "Time, Love and Tenderness." Bolton, who was known for his powerful voice and emotional ballads, delivers a memorable performance and is received with enthusiastic applause by the live audience.

Overall, the Steven Seagal/Michael Bolton episode of Saturday Night Live season 16 episode 18 is a classic example of the iconic sketch comedy show. The episode is filled with memorable sketches, recurring characters, and musical performances, and showcases the talent of the show's cast and guests.