Ep 16. Burt Reynolds/Anne Murray
- TV14
- April 12, 1980
- 67 min
-
5.9 (80)
Burt Reynolds, the iconic actor, comes to host Saturday Night Live in this episode, alongside Canadian singer Anne Murray. The episode starts with a cold open sketch that deals with American hostages in Iran, a topic that was very relevant at the time. The sketch features a panel of experts discussing the situation, including a man played by Burt Reynolds, who tries to give some advice.
The monologue by Burt Reynolds is energetic and playful, showing his charisma and humor. He jokes about his previous appearances on SNL and his image as a sex symbol, making the audience laugh.
The first sketch of the night is a parody of The Love Boat, with Reynolds as the captain and the SNL cast as the passengers. The sketch is full of puns and visual gags, and the dynamic between Reynolds and the cast is great.
The rest of the show features a mix of recurring sketches and new material. Some of the highlights include a take on Little House on the Prairie, where Reynolds plays Pa Ingalls, a game show called Make Joan Baez Laugh, and a parody of The Honeymooners, with Reynolds as Ralph Kramden and Gilda Radner as Alice.
The Weekend Update segment is as strong as ever, with Jane Curtin delivering the news and Dan Aykroyd appearing as Jimmy Carter to address the Iranian hostage crisis. Aykroyd's impression of Carter is spot-on and the sketch satirizes the political situation in a clever way.
The musical performances by Anne Murray are fantastic, showcasing her powerful voice and stage presence. The first performance is a cover of Bob Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight", while the second is a rendition of her hit song "A Little Good News". Murray's performances add a nice touch to the episode and make it even more enjoyable.
Overall, Burt Reynolds and Anne Murray deliver a great episode of Saturday Night Live. Reynolds is a natural host, comfortable with both the comedy and the musical aspects of the show, while Murray's performances are a perfect complement to the sketches. The writing is sharp, the cast is on point, and the energy is high throughout the entire show. It's a must-watch for fans of classic SNL.
