Someone prompts Betty as to when she can begin; she ecstatically thanks Dick Ebersol and the audience (Gary Kroeger reminds her to mention Bob Tischler), and mentions the writers "worked their butts off". Gary Kroeger says "Happy birthday, I love you, Leslie!"

The credits cut off early in the live broadcast; Michael McCarthy is added to the list of writers this week.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

A slight improvement over the October shows, boosted by one of the show's most famous pieces (James Brown) and You Win A Dollar, as well as an interesting format break with the Crisis '83 runner. While the show falls a little bit short of being the season's first classic, it's got a lot going for it. As host, Thomas was above-average (owing to her Second City experience) but mostly out of the way, only really getting spotlights in the Jane Fonda and Misfits sketches. As well, with Eddie Murphy only appearing on tape this week, Joe Piscopo, Brad Hall, Jim Belushi and Tim Kazurinsky are particularly busy, while Gary Kroeger makes the most of his airtime. Murphy's limited presence on the show would provide more challenges and more opportunities in the months to come. The women are unfortunately underutilized, though, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus only getting a speaking role in one of her three sketches.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party

You Win A Dollar

Perfectly Frank

SHOW LOWLIGHTS:

Misfits

Unanswered Questions

MVP:

(tie) Eddie Murphy / Joe Piscopo

CAST & GUEST BREAKDOWN:

cast

Jim Belushi : 6 appearances [Memorex, Special Report, You Win A Dollar, Swan Break, Saturday Night News, The Gumby Story]

: 6 appearances [Memorex, Special Report, You Win A Dollar, Swan Break, Saturday Night News, The Gumby Story] Robin Duke : 4 appearances [You Win A Dollar, Jane Fonda, The Gumby Story, Misfits]

: 4 appearances [You Win A Dollar, Jane Fonda, The Gumby Story, Misfits] Mary Gross : 3 appearances [Jane Fonda, The Gumby Story, Misfits]

: 3 appearances [Jane Fonda, The Gumby Story, Misfits] Brad Hall : 6 appearances [Memorex, Special Report, You Win A Dollar, Saturday Night News, The Gumby Story, Crisis '83 Update], 2 voice-overs [Astronaut, Jane Fonda]

: 6 appearances [Memorex, Special Report, You Win A Dollar, Saturday Night News, The Gumby Story, Crisis '83 Update], 2 voice-overs [Astronaut, Jane Fonda] Tim Kazurinsky : 6 appearances [Memorex, Curly Audition, Special Report, Unanswered Questions, Swan Break, The Gumby Story]

: 6 appearances [Memorex, Curly Audition, Special Report, Unanswered Questions, Swan Break, The Gumby Story] Gary Kroeger : 3 appearances [Special Report, Perfectly Frank, The Gumby Story]; 1 voice-over [Saturday Night News]

: 3 appearances [Special Report, Perfectly Frank, The Gumby Story]; 1 voice-over [Saturday Night News] Julia Louis-Dreyfus : 3 appearances [You Win A Dollar, Jane Fonda, Misfits]

: 3 appearances [You Win A Dollar, Jane Fonda, Misfits] Eddie Murphy : 2 appearances [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party, The Gumby Story]

: 2 appearances [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party, The Gumby Story] Joe Piscopo: 7 appearances [Astronaut, Memorex, Curly Audition, Perfectly Frank, Saturday Night News, The Gumby Story, Crisis '83 Update]

writers, crew & extras

Tom Barney : 1 appearance [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party]

: 1 appearance [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party] Jackson Beck : 2 voice-overs [Special Report, Crisis '83 Update]

: 2 voice-overs [Special Report, Crisis '83 Update] Michael Brecker : 1 appearance [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party]

: 1 appearance [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party] Andy Breckman : 1 appearance [You Win A Dollar]

: 1 appearance [You Win A Dollar] Hiram Bullock : 1 appearance [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party]

: 1 appearance [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party] Cheryl Hardwick : 1 appearance [Curly Audition]

: 1 appearance [Curly Audition] Andrew Kurtzman : 1 appearance [Crisis '83 Update]

: 1 appearance [Crisis '83 Update] Tom Malone : 1 appearance [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party]

: 1 appearance [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party] Andrew Smith : 1 appearance [Special Report]

: 1 appearance [Special Report] Clint Smith : 1 voice-over [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party]

: 1 voice-over [James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party] Ed Van Nuys: 1 appearance [Special Report]

guests

Betty Thomas : 5 appearances [Monologue, Special Report, Perfectly Frank, Jane Fonda, Misfits]

: 5 appearances [Monologue, Special Report, Perfectly Frank, Jane Fonda, Misfits] Stray Cats : 2 appearances ["(She's) Sexy + 17", "I Won't Stand In Your Way"]

: 2 appearances ["(She's) Sexy + 17", "I Won't Stand In Your Way"] 14 Karat Soul: 1 appearance ["I Won't Stand In Your Way"]

REBROADCAST HISTORY:

March 3, 1984

September 15, 1984

Known alterations:

Saturday Night News edited

Very minor edits (pauses taken out) to Memorex and Jane Fonda

Sketches included in the 03/24/84 Best Of special:

James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub Party

Swan Break

Additional screen captures from this episode can be seen here.