Ep 5. Bea Arthur/The Roches

On November 13, 1979, Bea Arthur hosted the fifth episode of the fifth season of Saturday Night Live, with musical guest The Roches.

The episode opened with a sketch that took aim at President Jimmy Carter, depicting him as a well-intentioned, but ineffective leader who was unable to prevent the country from falling apart. The sketch featured Carter (played by cast member Dan Aykroyd) addressing the nation, only to be interrupted by a series of news bulletins detailing various disasters, from plane crashes to mudslides to nuclear accidents. The segment was a satirical commentary on the problems facing the country at the time, including high inflation, energy crises, and political gridlock.

One of the standout sketches of the episode was a parody of the popular game show "The Newlywed Game", in which three married couples compete to see who knows each other the best. Arthur played one of the contestants, while cast members Jane Curtin and Bill Murray played the other two couples. The sketch was notable for its raunchy, double-entendre-laden humor, and for the way it subverted the gender roles typically portrayed on game shows, with Arthur's character being the more aggressive and sexually confident of the three wives.

Another memorable sketch from the episode was a spoof of the popular TV show "Dallas", in which the wealthy Ewing family was replaced by the equally wealthy but socially conscious "Dupont family". The sketch was a commentary on the wealth gap in America, and featured the Duponts taking in a group of homeless people for Thanksgiving dinner. The segment was marked by strong performances by cast members Dan Aykroyd and Laraine Newman, as well as Arthur, who played the family matriarch.

The musical guest for the episode was The Roches, an all-female folk trio known for their intricate harmonies and offbeat sense of humor. The group performed three songs during the show: "We", "The Hallelujah Chorus", and "Runs in the Family". The Roches' quirky, idiosyncratic style was a perfect match for the irreverent humor of Saturday Night Live, and they were well-received by the audience.

Overall, the episode was a strong one, with several memorable sketches and standout performances from the cast and host. Arthur in particular was a standout, showing off her comedic chops and adding her own unique flair to several of the sketches. The episode was a reminder of the power of Saturday Night Live as a cultural touchstone, and of the enduring appeal of its irreverent, boundary-pushing humor.