The cast, Pleasence and Davis stand on a still-messy stage holding bits of pumpkin.

Eddie Murphy starts playing along on Fear's drum kit as the closing theme played.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

This is definitely one of the most unusual episodes of SNL's long history, but this was easily the weakest episode of the season to date. Pleasence was hardly in the show, and his delivery in some of his appearances was definitely off (the exception being his voiceover only role in Vic Salukin). The intended theme for this episode was "death and horror", and while I admire that they did try something different, a lot of it didn't come off. Part of this was because Dick Ebersol killed a lot of material during rehearsal meaning they had to fill time with some other sketches that didn't fit the theme: I wonder if Intermission was just done on short notice. There are a few bits that definitely succeed, but there was so much content that died tonight that it might have been an unintentional fulfillment of the theme anyway.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

Michael Davis

The Vic Salukin Show

Pumpkin

Two Faces of Jerry

I'm So Miserable

EPISODE LOWLIGHTS:

most of SNL Newsbreak

Ritual

Intermission

Andy Warhol's TV

Tales From The Hip

Profiles In British Courage

MVP:

Eddie Murphy

CAST & GUEST BREAKDOWN:

cast

Robin Duke : 2 appearances [Tales From The Hip, Sugar Breakfast]

: 2 appearances [Tales From The Hip, Sugar Breakfast] Christine Ebersole : 3 appearances [I'm So Miserable, SNL Newsbreak, Tales From The Hip, 1 voice-over [The Vic Salukin Show]

: 3 appearances [I'm So Miserable, SNL Newsbreak, Tales From The Hip, 1 voice-over [The Vic Salukin Show] Mary Gross : 4 appearances [SNL Newsbreak, Tales From The Hip, Sugar Breakfast, Home Movie Critique, 1 voice-over [The Vic Salukin Show]

: 4 appearances [SNL Newsbreak, Tales From The Hip, Sugar Breakfast, Home Movie Critique, 1 voice-over [The Vic Salukin Show] Tim Kazurinsky : 3 appearances [Profiles In British Courage, Tales From The Hip, Intermission, 1 voice-over [The Vic Salukin Show]

: 3 appearances [Profiles In British Courage, Tales From The Hip, Intermission, 1 voice-over [The Vic Salukin Show] Eddie Murphy : 8 appearances [Eddie's Preparation Techniques, Two Faces Of Jerry, Guardian Angel, SNL Newsbreak, Tales From The Hip, Intermission, Sugar Breakfast, Prose and Cons]

: 8 appearances [Eddie's Preparation Techniques, Two Faces Of Jerry, Guardian Angel, SNL Newsbreak, Tales From The Hip, Intermission, Sugar Breakfast, Prose and Cons] Joe Piscopo : 5 appearances [Two Faces Of Jerry, SNL Newsbreak, Tales From The Hip, Intermission, Sugar Breakfast], 1 voice-over [Jogger Motel]

: 5 appearances [Two Faces Of Jerry, SNL Newsbreak, Tales From The Hip, Intermission, Sugar Breakfast], 1 voice-over [Jogger Motel] Tony Rosato: 5 appearances [Profiles In British Courage, Tales From The Hip, Intermission, Sugar Breakfast, The Vic Salukin Show]

featured players

Brian Doyle-Murray: 2 appearances [SNL Newsbreak, Tales From The Hip]

crew and extras

Neil Levy : 2 appearances [I'm So Miserable, Intermission]

: 2 appearances [I'm So Miserable, Intermission] Lee Mayman : 1 appearance [Intermission]

: 1 appearance [Intermission] Dave Wilson: 1 voice-over [Guest Performance]

guests

Donald Pleasence : 4 appearances [Eddie's Preparation Techniques, Profiles In British Courage, Tales From The Hip], 1 voice-over The Vic Salukin Show]

: 4 appearances [Eddie's Preparation Techniques, Profiles In British Courage, Tales From The Hip], 1 voice-over The Vic Salukin Show] Fear : 2 appearances ["I Don't Care About You", "Beef Bologna/New York's Alright If You Like Saxophones/Let's Have A War"]

: 2 appearances ["I Don't Care About You", "Beef Bologna/New York's Alright If You Like Saxophones/Let's Have A War"] John Belushi : 1 appearance [Eddie's Preparation Techniques]

: 1 appearance [Eddie's Preparation Techniques] Andy Warhol: 1 appearance [Andy Warhol's TV]

REBROADCAST HISTORY:

Not repeated by NBC; "Sugar Breakfast" aired in the 12/26/81 repeat of the season premiere, "Two Faces Of Jerry", "Guardian Angel" and "The Clams" aired in the 01/02/82 repeat of Lauren Hutton.

Additional screen captures from this episode are available here.