Harry Anderson holds Skippy and says they were just kidding about the monologue, “thanks to Chris (Cluess) and Stu (Kriesman)” (Night Court’s story editors that season), and “I love you” to wife Leslie and daughter Eva before bringing Carol Burnett on stage, introducing her as “one of the reasons we’re all in this business”. Robert Latta (Rich Hall) wanders in front of home base before Bryan Adams brings him onstage.

Eva Anderson is now a TV writer, having written for Comedy Bang! Bang! and You’re The Worst.

Margaret Oberman and Bruce Vilanch are credited with additional sketches.

Don Pardo teases next week’s show with Pamela Sue Martin by mentioning “the mysterious disappearance of Dynasty’s Fallon” and the American debut of Power Station, “featuring members of Duran Duran”.

Final Thoughts:

A consistent but somewhat forgettable show that improves as it goes on. The first part of the show was weighed down with a lot of the second-tier recurring characters; given the talent and professionalism of this cast and writers, these sketches were still funny, just not particularly memorable. However, as the night went on, the more interesting original sketches made more of an impact. Anderson was an OK host, though his appearances as himself were stronger than his sketch work. Fitting with the theme of the show, Bryan Adams was also solid, if not particularly electrifying.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

Small Time Agency

Monologue

Hats

Salem Witch Trials

SHOW LOWLIGHTS:

(none)

MVP:

(tie) Rich Hall/Martin Short

CAST & GUEST BREAKDOWN:

cast

Jim Belushi : 2 appearances [While You Were Gone, Salem Witch Trials]

: 2 appearances [While You Were Gone, Salem Witch Trials] Billy Crystal : 4 appearances [The Kate & Ali Valentine’s Day Special, American Profiles, Oscar Talk, Saturday Night News]

: 4 appearances [The Kate & Ali Valentine’s Day Special, American Profiles, Oscar Talk, Saturday Night News] Mary Gross : 2 appearances [While You Were Gone, Small Time Agency]

: 2 appearances [While You Were Gone, Small Time Agency] Christopher Guest : 4 appearances [American Profiles, While You Were Gone, Oscar Talk, Saturday Night News]; 1 voice-over [The Kate & Ali Valentine’s Day Special]

: 4 appearances [American Profiles, While You Were Gone, Oscar Talk, Saturday Night News]; 1 voice-over [The Kate & Ali Valentine’s Day Special] Rich Hall : 5 appearances [Congress, Dueling Magi, Saturday Night News, Salem Witch Trials, Goodnights]; 1 voice-over [Ronald Reagan Jeans]

: 5 appearances [Congress, Dueling Magi, Saturday Night News, Salem Witch Trials, Goodnights]; 1 voice-over [Ronald Reagan Jeans] Gary Kroeger : 2 appearances [Salem Witch Trials, Small Time Agency]

: 2 appearances [Salem Witch Trials, Small Time Agency] Julia Louis-Dreyfus : 2 appearances [American Profiles, Small Time Agency]

: 2 appearances [American Profiles, Small Time Agency] Martin Short : 2 appearances [The Kate & Ali Valentine’s Day Special, Salem Witch Trials]

: 2 appearances [The Kate & Ali Valentine’s Day Special, Salem Witch Trials] Pamela Stephenson: 2 appearances [Dueling Magi, Salem Witch Trials]

crew and extras

Marc Shaiman: 2 appearances [Salem Witch Trials, Small Time Agency]

guests

Harry Anderson : 5 appearances [Monologue, Dueling Magi, While You Were Gone, Salem Witch Trials, Hats]

: 5 appearances [Monologue, Dueling Magi, While You Were Gone, Salem Witch Trials, Hats] Bryan Adams : 2 appearances [“Somebody”, “Run To You”]

: 2 appearances [“Somebody”, “Run To You”] Carol Burnett : 1 appearance: [Goodnights]

: 1 appearance: [Goodnights] Johnny Cash : 1 appearance [Saturday Night News]

: 1 appearance [Saturday Night News] June Carter Cash : 1 appearance [Saturday Night News]

: 1 appearance [Saturday Night News] Jessi Colter : 1 appearance [Saturday Night News]

: 1 appearance [Saturday Night News] Waylon Jennings : 1 appearance [Saturday Night News]

: 1 appearance [Saturday Night News] Christopher Reeve : 1 appearance [Saturday Night News]

: 1 appearance [Saturday Night News] Marty Stuart: 1 appearance [Saturday Night News]

REBROADCAST HISTORY:

May 25, 1985

Known alterations:

Ronald Reagan Jeans removed

Small edit in “Somebody” to fix camera bump

Additional screen captures from this episode are available here.