Ep 20. George Wendt/Elvis Costello

In season 16 episode 20 of Saturday Night Live, veteran cast member George Wendt hosted the show for the first time. Fans of the sitcom "Cheers" were delighted to see Wendt revisit his role as Norm Peterson in a number of sketches, including a reimagining of the show set in medieval times. Elvis Costello served as the musical guest for the evening, performing two songs from his then-new album "Mighty Like a Rose."

The opening monologue saw Wendt take the stage to reminisce about his time on "Cheers" and joke about his experience hosting SNL. The first sketch of the night was a parody of "Unsolved Mysteries" featuring Wendt as the host and a variety of absurd cases, including a woman who wakes up every morning with her toes stuck together and a man who discovers he's been living with a brain in a jar.

Next up was the aforementioned "Game of Thrones" style version of "Cheers," with Wendt donning a suit of armor to play Norman of the House of Peterson. The sketch was full of medieval puns and featured guest appearances from cast members as various "Cheers" characters, including Phil Hartman as Sam Malone and Julia Sweeney as Pat the androgynous barfly.

In another sketch, Wendt played a stereotypical Midwestern dad trying to connect with his teenage daughter (played by Sweeney) by rapping about the dangers of drugs. The cringeworthy performance was enhanced by a ridiculous music video featuring Wendt in a giant baseball cap and a sequined jacket.

The standout sketch of the night was a daring spoof of Paula Abdul's hit music video "Opposites Attract." In the sketch, Wendt played a construction worker who falls in love with a cartoon cat (voiced by Sweeney) and proceeds to sing and dance with her all over town. The absurdity of the concept was heightened by the impressive animation used to bring the cat to life, and the sketch showcased the cast's vocal and dancing talents.

Other notable sketches from the episode included a riff on the classic Abbott and Costello bit "Who's on First?" in which Wendt and Hartman played rival news anchors trying to top each other with increasingly ridiculous puns, and a commercial parody for "Colon Blow" cereal.

Elvis Costello's performances were the perfect complement to the irreverent humor of the sketches. He performed two songs from his album "Mighty Like a Rose" with his trademark intensity and energy, showcasing his versatility as a musician. Costello also appeared in one sketch, playing guitar in a barbershop quartet that serenaded Sweeney's Pat character.

Overall, season 16 episode 20 of Saturday Night Live was a hilarious and enjoyable ride, anchored by a beloved host and an iconic musical guest. Fans of classic SNL will delight in seeing George Wendt back on their screens, while those unfamiliar with his work will have a blast watching him dive headfirst into the show's signature brand of absurdity. Meanwhile, Elvis Costello's performances are a masterclass in rock and roll showmanship, adding a touch of musical magic to an already unforgettable episode.