The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Season 22 Episode 68 Father Guido Sarducci

Father Guido Sarducci appears on the 68th episode of the 22nd season of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Sarducci is a fictional character portrayed by comedian Don Novello, who gained popularity on the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live.

The episode begins with Johnny Carson introducing Father Guido Sarducci, who he describes as "a man of the cloth, a man of the people, and a man of comedy." Sarducci enters the stage dressed in full priestly garb, complete with a black cassock, clerical collar, and a large pectoral cross. He greets Carson and the audience with his trademark raspy voice and thick Italian accent.

Carson asks Sarducci about his background and how he became a priest. Sarducci responds by saying that he grew up in a Catholic family in Rome and was inspired to become a priest after seeing a movie starring Bing Crosby as a priest. He then jokes that he went to the Vatican and told the Pope that he wanted to be a priest, and the Pope replied, "Why not? We need some more priests."

Carson asks Sarducci about his views on current events, and Sarducci quips that he is "apolitical" because he believes that "God is not a Democrat or a Republican. He's an Independent." He then goes on to share his thoughts on various topics, such as the economic recession, the Cold War, and the election of Ronald Reagan as president. His humorous commentary elicits laughter and applause from the audience.

Sarducci then performs a comedy routine in which he pretends to be a travel agent offering tours of Rome. He shows the audience a slideshow of various landmarks and attractions, accompanied by humorous commentary on each one. He also jokes about the differences between Italian and American culture, such as the importance of family and the tendency for Italians to speak with their hands.

After the routine, Carson asks Sarducci about his experiences on Saturday Night Live, where he was a cast member from 1977 to 1980. Sarducci describes the show as "a madhouse" and recalls some of his most memorable skits, such as the "Five Minute University" and the "Pay for Your Sins" booth. He also talks about his friendship with other cast members, such as Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd.

Carson then invites Sarducci to play a game with him called "Priest or Celebrity." In the game, Carson reads out a name and Sarducci has to guess whether the person is a priest or a celebrity. The game is filled with amusing moments, such as when Sarducci mistakes Pope John Paul II for a celebrity or when he confuses Elvis Presley with a priest.

The episode ends with Sarducci leading the audience in a sing-along of the Italian song "Funiculì, Funiculà." He encourages the audience to stand up and dance, and many of them do. The segment is a festive and lighthearted end to the show.

Overall, the 68th episode of the 22nd season of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a fun and entertaining episode that showcases the humor and wit of Father Guido Sarducci. Novello's performance is a testament to his talent as a comedian, and the audience's laughter and applause are a testament to his popularity.