Episode list

Saturday Night Live

John Lithgow/Mr. Mister
Fri, Dec 06, 1985
  • S11.E4
  • John Lithgow/Mr. Mister
In cold open, President Reagan ignores Dr. Federico's appeal to use nukes against an incoming killer comet. In his monologue, jet-lagged John Lithgow mistakes the live show for a pre-show dress rehearsal. Hell beer ad has a warning for your soul. Uptight family man Bob Danielson has something up his behind. Master thespian Jonathan Yankolovichy and his mentor Baudelaire have a deadly acting duel. Texan car salesmen Rudy Randolph wants to sell you a Rolls-Royce. A time-wasting ad successfully wastes your time. John is a caring father who only talks in clicheed metaphors, phrases and expressions, which aggravates his heartbroken daughter Joan to no end. Pop rock band Mr. Mister perform their hit song Broken Wings. On Weekend Update, Dennis discusses Reagan's claim that an alien threat could unite the planet and end the Cold War, Reagan's Star Wars weapons program, US gymnast and 1984 Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton's selling out to ad companies, the gruesome results of the "Search for Captain Crunch" competition, the acquittal of the death squad responsible for the murder of Filipino opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., Reagan's stuffing of a turkey, former hippie Wally Paxton who claims to be the inventor of Granola and is disillusioned by its commercialization, the resignation of Reagan's national security adviser Robert McFarlane over his rivalry with the White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan, Exxon's plans for the year, the White House's plan to hire Brooke Shields as a spokesperson against selling US secrets to foreign countries, the subscription to Omni magazine, the 40th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the 920th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and anchor Phyllis George's attack on CBS's executives. The segment wraps up with Damon as a political commentator from the hood who comments on the US - USSR negotiations, the Star Wars initiative and the threat of nuclear war. Next, Nancy Reagan dreams about being a femme fatal cabaret singer. Popular stand up comedian Sam Kinison does his stand up bit about Jesus. In the 19th century, mutiny on the Cameron fails due to a lack of demands. Trojan ad turns to patriotic Americans. Mr. Mister performs their song Kyrie. On the Twilight Zone-sque The Limits of Imagination episode, a couple goes to an "all you can eat" restaurant not realizing that this place takes that slogan literally.
6.4 /10
Madonna/Simple Minds
No cold opening. In her monologue, the host Madonna talks about her and Sean Penn's recent secretive wedding and shows mockumentary clips from it. Hell beer commercial carries a warning for the soul. The Reagans spend a quiet evening with Prince Charles and Lady Di at the White House but tongues get loose after a few drinks and Nancy gets frisky. The musical guest Simple Minds perform their song Alive and Kicking. Twitchy street fences Jones & Jones offer the best cheapest goods in town. Dennis Miller makes his first appearance as the anchorperson on the Weekend Update. He comments on the USSR's paranoid reaction to Halley's Comet, the US and USSR's peace talks, Georgia's ironic anti-gay law, Ferdinand Marcos hold over the Philippines elections, the passing of Orson Welles, the new way to throw away the garbage, Libya, the Palestinian PLO and Jehovah's Witnesses clash, clinical death record, the Beatrice Company expansion, Louis Farrakhan's similarities to Pee-wee Herman, the ironic dilemma of illegal immigrant and US lottery winner Jose Caballero, the controversial policy of the World News Agency and Jordan King Hussein's arms deal with the Philadelphia police department. Finally, Dennis makes the wish of SNL's viewer Bobby to take on major league baseball pitcher Goose Gossage come true but hubris intervenes. Madonna performs a funny version of A-ha's Take On Me on a Spanish variety show La Cucaracha Motel. Penn bets the audience that he'll pull off a magic trick with cards before his partner Teller drowns in a tightly locked tank filled with water but things don't go as he planned. National Inquirer Theater's questionable reenactment of the violent death of Marylin Monroe involves the Kennedy brothers and a mentalist. Simple Minds perform their song Sanctify Yourself. The host of the Twilight Zone-esque Limits of the Imagination intervenes during the story. An awkward movie shoot with an ironic twist portrays a gay actor's fear of "Pinklisting", a new scare in Hollywood caused by the AIDS outbreak. An African American teenage mother promotes her educational "I Don't Want a Baby" coloring book.
6.1 /10
Chevy Chase/Sheila E.
Original SNL cast member Chevy Chase returns to host this 1985 episode, which includes selected sketches such as "The Pat Stevens Show," "Ford & Reagan," and "The Life Of Vlad The Impaler." For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
6 /10
Pee Wee Herman/Queen Ida & The Bon Temps Zydeco Band
Watch selected sketches and segments from this 1985 episode hosted by Pee-Wee Herman. Sketches include: "Locker Room," "The Pat Stevens Show," "Jail Cell," and "Weekend Update." For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
6.1 /10
John Lithgow/Mr. Mister
In cold open, President Reagan ignores Dr. Federico's appeal to use nukes against an incoming killer comet. In his monologue, jet-lagged John Lithgow mistakes the live show for a pre-show dress rehearsal. Hell beer ad has a warning for your soul. Uptight family man Bob Danielson has something up his behind. Master thespian Jonathan Yankolovichy and his mentor Baudelaire have a deadly acting duel. Texan car salesmen Rudy Randolph wants to sell you a Rolls-Royce. A time-wasting ad successfully wastes your time. John is a caring father who only talks in clicheed metaphors, phrases and expressions, which aggravates his heartbroken daughter Joan to no end. Pop rock band Mr. Mister perform their hit song Broken Wings. On Weekend Update, Dennis discusses Reagan's claim that an alien threat could unite the planet and end the Cold War, Reagan's Star Wars weapons program, US gymnast and 1984 Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton's selling out to ad companies, the gruesome results of the "Search for Captain Crunch" competition, the acquittal of the death squad responsible for the murder of Filipino opposition leader Benigno Aquino Jr., Reagan's stuffing of a turkey, former hippie Wally Paxton who claims to be the inventor of Granola and is disillusioned by its commercialization, the resignation of Reagan's national security adviser Robert McFarlane over his rivalry with the White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan, Exxon's plans for the year, the White House's plan to hire Brooke Shields as a spokesperson against selling US secrets to foreign countries, the subscription to Omni magazine, the 40th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the 920th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings and anchor Phyllis George's attack on CBS's executives. The segment wraps up with Damon as a political commentator from the hood who comments on the US - USSR negotiations, the Star Wars initiative and the threat of nuclear war. Next, Nancy Reagan dreams about being a femme fatal cabaret singer. Popular stand up comedian Sam Kinison does his stand up bit about Jesus. In the 19th century, mutiny on the Cameron fails due to a lack of demands. Trojan ad turns to patriotic Americans. Mr. Mister performs their song Kyrie. On the Twilight Zone-sque The Limits of Imagination episode, a couple goes to an "all you can eat" restaurant not realizing that this place takes that slogan literally.
6.4 /10
Tom Hanks/Sade

Fri, Dec 13, 1985
The host is Tom Hanks and the musical guest is Sade. The sketches are: on "Entertainment Tonight", Brooke Shields claims that her film career stalled after turning down "Scarface" and "Once Upon a Time in America"; Paul meets two stand-up comedians; Pat Stevens interviews Louis Farrakhan; Steve has a fantasy; Tommy Flanagan meets his brother Earl; Tomaso and Mateo are fishermen. Sade performs "Is It a Crime?" and "The Sweetest Taboo". Steven Wright performs a stand-up.
6.3 /10
Teri Garr/Dream Academy/The Cult
Teri Garr returns to host the Christmas episode of 1985, which includes selected segments such as "Rapping Wrapper," "Hildy," "Weekend Update," and "Time Machine Trivia Game." For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
5.7 /10
Harry Dean Stanton/The Replacements
Check out these selected sketches and segments from the 1986 episode hosted by Hollywood veteran Harry Dean Stanton. Sketches include "Press Conference," "New Parents," and "That Black Girl," along with a guest performance by Sam Kinison. For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
5.9 /10
Dudley Moore/Al Green
Arthur star Dudley Moore hosts this 1986 episode, which features selected sketches such as "Monks," "The Pat Stevens Show," and "Just Like Phoebe." For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
5.7 /10
Jerry Hall/Stevie Ray Vaughan/Jimmie Vaughan
Model/actress Jerry Hall hosts this episode from 1986, with a guest performance by Sam Kinison. Selected sketches include "Weekend Update," "Sore Toe" and "Line Of Death." For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
5.7 /10
Griffin Dunne/Rosanne Cash
Watch selected sketches from this 1986 episode hosted by After Hours star Griffin Dunne. Sketches and segments include "Mr. Monopoly," "You Bet Your Finger," and "Pick Your Friends," as well as a guest performance by Penn & Teller. For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
5.9 /10
George Wendt and Francis Ford Coppola/Philip Glass
Francis Ford Coppola directs and co-hosts with George Wendt in this 1986 special episode. Selected sketches and segments include "Commercials," "Fish Market," and "Actors," as well as a Grand Finale. For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
6.6 /10
Oprah Winfrey/Joe Jackson
Media giant Oprah Winfrey hosts this 1986 episode. Selected sketches and segments include A Color Purple take-off in the Cold Opening, "Cute Shop," "The Wart Hog," and "Craig Sundberg: Idiot Savant." For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
5.5 /10
Tony Danza/Laurie Anderson
Tony Danza hosts this 1986 episode, with a special guest performance by Penn and Teller. Other selected sketches and segments include "30 Counts," "Big Time Professional Golf," and "Unconditional Love." For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
4.8 /10
Catherine Oxenberg and Paul Simon/Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Selected sketches and segments from this 1986 special episode co-hosted by Catherine Oxenberg and Paul Simon, which includes a special performance by Penn and Teller. Sketches include "Prison," "The Late Show With Joan Rivers," "Beverly Hills," and "A Mother's Day Message." For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
6.3 /10
Jimmy Breslin and Marvin Hagler/Level 42/E.G. Daily
Journalist Jimmy Breslin hosts this 1986 episode, with a special guest performance by Sam Kinison. Selected sketches include "Midday with Jennifer Hicks," "The Pat Stevens Show," "Assembly," and "A Message From Jody Hagler." For clearance reasons, episodes have been edited from their original version.
5.5 /10
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