Ep 11. Cicely Tyson/Talking Heads

Cicely Tyson, the distinguished and talented actress, takes on hosting duties for this season 4 episode of Saturday Night Live. Known for her powerful portrayals of African American women, Tyson brings her own unique brand of humor to the sketch comedy show.

The episode kicks off with a cold open featuring President Carter (played by Dan Aykroyd) giving a fireside chat to the American people. Carter is his usual bumbling self as he attempts to address the nation's problems, including the energy crisis and inflation. The sketch is a fun parody of the president's folksy style and is a great way to start the show.

After the opening monologue by Cicely Tyson, the first sketch is a commercial for "Crystal Gravy." This fake product is a hilarious take on the obsession with health food and organic products. The commercial features people dousing their food in a clear, tasteless gravy that supposedly has all the benefits of regular gravy, without the calories or fat. It's a clever bit that pokes fun at the fads and trends of the time.

Next up is a sketch featuring Dan Aykroyd as Jimmy Carter returning to his hometown in Georgia. The sketch is a fun parody of the "Andy Griffith Show" and sees Carter as the down-home sheriff trying to solve a crime. It's a silly and iconic bit that showcases Aykroyd's ability to do impressions and parody classic TV shows.

One of the standout sketches of the night is "Theodoric of York, Medieval Barber." The sketch stars Steve Martin as the titular barber, who is living in medieval times and has some...interesting ideas about medicine. The sketch is a classic example of the absurd humor that SNL is known for, and Martin's deadpan performance is truly hilarious.

Another memorable sketch is "Coneheads at Home." The Coneheads were a popular recurring sketch on the show, featuring a family of aliens from another planet who are trying to assimilate into American culture. In this episode, we see the Coneheads at home, trying to enjoy a relaxing evening. But of course, shenanigans ensue, and it's a fun, silly sketch that fans of the show will love.

The musical guests for the episode are Talking Heads, a band that was hugely popular in the 80s. In addition to performing "Take Me to the River" and "Artists Only," the band also appears in a sketch about a group of aliens who have come to earth to learn about human music. It's a fun bit that combines the humor and music of the show in a really great way.

Overall, this episode of SNL is a classic example of what made the show so great in its early years. With talented performers like Cicely Tyson, Dan Aykroyd, and Steve Martin, and iconic sketches like "Theodoric of York" and "Coneheads," it's a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone who loves sketch comedy. Plus, with musical guests Talking Heads providing some great tunes, it's a truly entertaining episode from start to finish.