Rev. Jesse Jackson presents Dick Ebersol with a copy of the album of his DNC speech (Our Time Has Come, released on MCA/Constellation records) and gives the address for viewers to contact the Rainbow Coalition before Andrae Crouch and Wintley Phipps lead a version of Crouch’s “Soon and Very Soon” instead of the regular closing theme.

SNL producer Bob Tischler can also be seen in the group during the goodnights; he’s the bald bearded guy on the left-hand side of the stage.

Thad Mumford, David Misch and Alan Zweibel are credited as guest writers.

Final thoughts:

A solid show, though not as many breakthrough moments as the season premiere. Rev. Jesse Jackson, despite a little stiffness, a few line fumbles here and there, and playing himself all night, was a strong host, able to carry solo pieces (Jeane, Rainbow Coalition) or play off the other performers with an understated but sharp wit; his presence even managed to improve Saturday Night News. With Rev. Jackson featuring heavily this week, the cast understandably takes a backseat in this show, though there are a few signs of the show’s eventual over-embrace of recurring sketches this week (the second Grimley sketch in three weeks).

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

The Question Is Moot!

Monologue

Jeane

Do You Know What I Hate?

Saturday Night News

SHOW LOWLIGHTS:

Funny Black People

Rich Hall’s Election Report

MVP:

Rev. Jesse Jackson

CAST & GUEST BREAKDOWN:

cast

Jim Belushi : 2 appearances [Just Kidding, Saturday Night News]

: 2 appearances [Just Kidding, Saturday Night News] Billy Crystal : 3 appearances [Advice, Do You Know What I Hate?, Just Kidding]

: 3 appearances [Advice, Do You Know What I Hate?, Just Kidding] Mary Gross : 2 appearances [The Question Is Moot!, Refrigerator Magnet Safety Advisory Board]; 1 voice-over [Tippi Turtle]

: 2 appearances [The Question Is Moot!, Refrigerator Magnet Safety Advisory Board]; 1 voice-over [Tippi Turtle] Christopher Guest : 2 appearances [Do You Know What I Hate?, Rich Hall’s Election Report]; 2 voice-overs [Refrigerator Magnet Safety Advisory Board, Tippi Turtle]

: 2 appearances [Do You Know What I Hate?, Rich Hall’s Election Report]; 2 voice-overs [Refrigerator Magnet Safety Advisory Board, Tippi Turtle] Rich Hall : 2 appearances [Refrigerator Magnet Safety Advisory Board, Rich Hall’s Election Report]

: 2 appearances [Refrigerator Magnet Safety Advisory Board, Rich Hall’s Election Report] Gary Kroeger : 1 appearance [The Question Is Moot!]; 2 voice-overs [First Class, Tippi Turtle]

: 1 appearance [The Question Is Moot!]; 2 voice-overs [First Class, Tippi Turtle] Julia Louis-Dreyfus : 2 appearances [The Question Is Moot!, First Class]

: 2 appearances [The Question Is Moot!, First Class] Harry Shearer : 1 appearance [Fashion Report]; 1 voice-over [Wrong Voice, Right Face]

: 1 appearance [Fashion Report]; 1 voice-over [Wrong Voice, Right Face] Martin Short : 2 appearances [First Class, Saturday Night News]

: 2 appearances [First Class, Saturday Night News] Pamela Stephenson: 2 appearances [Just Kidding, Wrong Voice, Right Face]

crew and extras

Bob Caminiti : 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class]

: 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class] Larry David : 1 appearance [First Class]

: 1 appearance [First Class] Dick Ebersol : 1 appearance [Funny Black People]

: 1 appearance [Funny Black People] Yvonne Hudson : 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class]

: 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class] Kevin Kelton : 1 appearance [First Class]

: 1 appearance [First Class] Jeannine Kerwin Tree : 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class]

: 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class] Frederick Koehler : 1 appearance [Refrigerator Magnet Safety Advisory Board]

: 1 appearance [Refrigerator Magnet Safety Advisory Board] Thad Mumford : 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class]

: 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class] Heino Ripp : 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class]

: 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class] Clint Smith : 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class]

: 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class] Dave Wilson : 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class]

: 2 appearances [Monologue, First Class] Alan Zweibel: 1 appearance [First Class]

guests

Rev. Jesse Jackson : 8 appearances [Advice, Monologue, The Question Is Moot!, First Class, Funny Black People, Saturday Night News, Jeane, Rainbow Coalition]

: 8 appearances [Advice, Monologue, The Question Is Moot!, First Class, Funny Black People, Saturday Night News, Jeane, Rainbow Coalition] Andrae Crouch : 1 appearance [“Right Now”]

: 1 appearance [“Right Now”] Wintley Phipps: 1 appearance [“Tell Me Again”]

REBROADCAST HISTORY:

December 22, 1984

June 15, 1985

Known alterations:

Funny Black People removed

Buddy Young Jr. is Back (from 11/03/84) added

Tippi Turtle technical glitch fixed

Additional screen captures from this episode are available here.