Saturday Night Live Season 8 Episode 15 Bruce Dern/Leon Redbone

Bruce Dern, an American actor best known for his roles in Nebraska, Coming Home, and The Great Gatsby, and Leon Redbone, a musician known for his gravelly voice and retro style, are the hosts for this episode of Saturday Night Live.

The season 8 episode 15 of Saturday Night Live aired on February 12, 1983, and featured the popular sketch comedy show's signature blend of political satire, social commentary, and irreverent humor. The episode began with a cold open that poked fun at the then-recent announcement that Los Angeles would host the Summer Olympics in 1984. In the sketch, several Olympic athletes who won't be competing in the games, including an out-of-shape swimmer and an elderly weightlifter, gather to commiserate over their disappointment.

The episode's opening monologue featured host Bruce Dern, who delivered a witty and self-deprecating speech about his career as an actor and his experiences in Hollywood. Dern acknowledged that many people know him as a "mean, rotten, salacious, evil, unhappy person" due to his often-villainous roles in movies, but he assured the audience that he's actually a friendly and good-natured guy in real life. Dern also joked about his recent appearance on the game show "The $25,000 Pyramid," where he struggled to guess common phrases and idioms.

One of the most memorable sketches of the episode was a parody of the popular TV drama "Knots Landing" that featured the cast doing impressions of major political figures. In the sketch, the show's characters' personal dramas are interrupted by visits from figures such as Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, and Tip O'Neill. The cast of Saturday Night Live had a field day lampooning the mannerisms and speech patterns of the political figures of the time.

Another standout sketch of the episode was a commercial spoof for a fake product called the "Khaddafi Lookalike Kit." The premise of the sketch is that the kit includes everything you need to resemble Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, including a fake beard, sunglasses, and a speech pattern that mimics his distinctive accent. The sketch was a pointed satire of the United States' strained diplomatic relations with Libya, and the cast used the opportunity to mock Gaddafi's eccentricities and flamboyant wardrobe.

Musical guest Leon Redbone performed two songs during the episode: "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Mr. Jelly Roll Baker." Redbone's performance style blended elements of blues, jazz, and ragtime, and his trademark dark sunglasses and straw hat added to his quirky image. Redbone was a popular musical guest on Saturday Night Live, having appeared on the show several times over the years.

The Weekend Update segment of the episode featured anchors Brian Doyle-Murray and Mary Gross covering the week's news stories with their usual brand of sarcasm and wit. The segment included jokes about a proposed tax on yuppies, a speech by Vice President George H.W. Bush, and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. Doyle-Murray and Gross also performed a sketch where they played a bickering elderly couple discussing the changes in society since they were young.

The episode's final sketch was a parody of a TV talk show called "People's Court." In the sketch, the show's judge hears a case involving a woman who claims that her dog can talk. The sketch featured several hilarious moments, including the dog taking the stand and answering questions in a surprisingly articulate manner. The sketch was a fitting way to end the episode, as it showcased the cast's willingness to engage in absurdist humor and push the boundaries of what was traditionally considered "funny."

Overall, the season 8 episode 15 of Saturday Night Live featuring Bruce Dern and Leon Redbone was a strong installment of the long-running sketch comedy show. With sharp writing, talented performers, and memorable sketches, the episode showcased why Saturday Night Live remained one of the most popular and relevant shows on television.