Classic SNL Review: December 10, 1988: Kevin Kline / Bobby McFerrin (S14E08)
RATING SYSTEM:
***** - Classic
**** - Great
*** - Good/Average
** - Meh
* - Awful
OPENING: A TRUMP CHRISTMAS
Donald (Phil Hartman) and Ivana Trump’s (Jan Hooks) Christmas gifts were paid for with Gift Of The Magi style sacrifices.
This is notable for being the first time Donald Trump has been impersonated on SNL. It’s a little strange to watch this in 2025; even back then, it was obvious how selfish, tacky and ostentatious he was, but considering how much more familiar we are today with the darker parts of his soul (and his obvious mental decline over the past 37 years), it feels like something from a more innocent time. Hartman’s impression is more subdued compared to what it (or later impressionists’ takes) would be.
Written by Shannon Gaughan. Jim Downey also mentioned in his Variety interview that he wrote this sketch; since he was head writer it is likely that there was some collaboration or revision that took place.
Rerun alterations: Hartman’s stumble before “See what the diamonds spell?” removed.
*** 1/2
MONOLOGUE
After playing piano with the SNL Band, Kevin Kline expresses his thrill to tread the same stage as the great Shakespearian actor Master Thespian (Jon Lovitz).
A fun way to incorporate Master Thespian, which also includes call-backs to two previous sketches: Master Thespian recalls portraying Hamlet as “the melancholy Jew” in the Tony Danza / Laurie Anderson show, and he slips into Tommy Flanagan in the Grand Finale of the George Wendt and Francis Ford Coppola show.
Written by A. Whitney Brown and Jon Lovitz, possibly with Kevin Kline.
Rerun alterations: Blue tint removed from cut to studio. Small cut before Master Thespian materializes.
*** 1/2
SHOW: GAME BREAKERS
Game show host Spin Boyd (Kevin Kline) gets to know his contestants very personally.
An enjoyable sketch with a fun concept that doesn’t reveal itself until it switches to the videotaped portion where Kline says goodbye to Kevin Nealon’s character. I also liked the way that Kline acts like he just saw an ex when he and Victoria Jackson are at the restaurant and spot Nealon in the corner. Nora Dunn also gets some great reaction shots as the one contestant still waiting for the game to resume.
Written by Robert Smigel, Bob Odenkirk, Conan O’Brien, and Jim Downey.
Rerun alterations: Sketch fades in a second later than in live. Several edits to remove dead air. Buzzer sound effect issue when Nealon rings in fixed, Kline’s ad-libs in response are cut. The first shot of Nora Dunn waiting in the studio is replaced with dress.
****
SHOW: PLUG AWAY
Harvey Fierstein (Jon Lovitz) teaches the art of self-promotion, and seeks validation from Jimmy Stewart (Dana Carvey), Jack Nicholson (Phil Hartman), and Peter Allen (Kevin Kline).
A little catchphrase-heavy (“I just want to be loved, is that so wrong?”), but Lovitz’s impression is funny, and it’s a good use of others’ impressions as well.
Harvey Fierstein actually did co-write the book for Legs Diamond, the Broadway show that Peter Allen is there to plug. The play did not do well.
Written by Jon Lovitz.
Rerun alterations: Replaced with dress rehearsal from Harvey’s monologue up to Harvey asking Jimmy Stewart if he would be attracted to him; Pardo’s introduction to the sketch is different but the footage is from live. SNL logo animation replaced (red in live, blue in repeat), band shot extended to allow for next week promo graphic.
*** 1/2
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: “DRIVE”
Bobby McFerrin performs a cut from his current album Simple Pleasures; where the album features McFerrin’s voice overdubbed, this is a completely solo acapella version that’s a good showcase for his impressive vocal skills.
Simple Pleasures is probably best known for being the album with “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (which was also on the Cocktail soundtrack), but after George Bush used the song for his campaign without McFerrin’s approval or endorsement, McFerrin dropped it from his live repertoire.
Rerun alterations: Not sure whether remixed.
WEEKEND UPDATE
Opening music: “Stay” by Oingo Boingo; Closing music: “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison.
Best jokes: Gorbachev/Trump, Quayle/Santa, Mark Duper
A rebound from last week’s subpar installment, thanks in part to some stronger guest pieces. The New York audience loved the Gorbachev/Trump joke (“A much-awaited meeting between a Bolshevik and a Bolshevik artist”), and we get the return of the Alaskan Gray Whale runner.
George Burns (Dana Carvey) gives the Death Watch report about the long-ailing Emperor Hirohito; short, but Carvey’s impression is the main reason it works.
A. Whitney Brown is back to put Gorbachev’s speech to the UN into The Big Picture. The usual strong, clever and insightful work from Brown, with some good lines about the Russian economy and America’s financial relationship to Japan.
Rerun alterations: Small cut before Gorbachev clip.
*** 1/2
SKETCH: THE BIG CHILL
The unused ending of the movie has Sarah (Jan Hooks) growing frustrated with Harold (Kevin Kline) and Meg’s (Victoria Jackson) marathon lovemaking.
A candidate for one of the best sketches featuring Jan Hooks, as she pretty much walks away with this as soon as the camera shows the close-up of her smiling beatifically, and the way her face gradually falls as the bedsprings continue to squeak is well executed.
I also liked Kline and Jackson tentatively starting to kiss, then aggressively throwing themselves at each other.
Funny ending with Hooks revealing the boiled bunny a la Fatal Attraction and threatening Kline with a knife.
Written by Al Franken, Kevin Kline, and Shannon Gaughan.
Rerun alterations: Small edit and crop at the beginning of the kitchen scene to remove people’s heads visibly passing in front of camera. Dress rehearsal from fade from clock shot up to Kline opening the fridge (“My Girl” does not play in the live show). Small cut at the beginning of the next clock shot; sunrise clip is also shortened. Dress rehearsal from after the housemates applaud to end of sketch.
*****
BAND SHOT
G.E. Smith and T-Bone Wolk perform “Friend of the Devil”
Rerun alterations: Replaced with dress rehearsal.
SKETCH: EXECUTIVE ISLAND
Employees of an advertising agency continue business as usual despite being marooned on a desert island.
Most of the laughs come from the details of the lengths the executives go to in order to keep conducting meetings and creating reports, as opposed to actually doing something about their plight, to the frustration of the airplane captain (Kevin Kline) who’s actually doing the work of helping them survive and trying to get off the island. Good ending with the plane carrying photocopiers crashing.
The crappy model airplane during the crawl at the beginning always makes me laugh.
Written by Greg Daniels and Conan O’Brien.
Rerun alterations: Day 57 graphic appears earlier in the rerun. Small cut before Nealon gives his report; the portion about steaks, burgers and chops is from dress rehearsal. Jon Lovitz’s line about the smooth rocks is cut. Kevin Kline’s reaction to his sextant being turned into a projector is from dress rehearsal. Small edit at beginning of band shot.
***
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: “THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER”
Bobby McFerrin performs a completely acapella version of the American national anthem, all in his upper register. Impressive.
Rerun alterations: Not sure whether remixed.
SKETCH: BREAKFAST TABLE
A wife (Victoria Jackson) responds to most of her husband’s (Kevin Kline) questions by blowing a raspberry.
I can appreciate the sweetness of the idea, but it was a bit too one-note and slow-moving. The dress take used in the repeat does work a bit better, though.
The TV audio is playing the beginning of “Win, Lose, or Tie” at the start of the sketch; you can hear John Henry Kurtz’s voice.
Written by Kevin Kline
Rerun alterations: Full sketch replaced with dress rehearsal. Kline is reading Newsday instead of Wall Street Journal, Jackson’s delivery isn’t quite as lethargic, and there is a visual gag that was removed from the live show, where Kline wipes the table after Jackson blows the big raspberry in response to visiting his parents.
*1/2 (** for dress version).
MISCELLANEOUS: ROY ORBISON TRIBUTE
Kevin Kline marks the rock and roll legend’s passing by introducing a replay of his performance of “Crying” from May 1987.
This is the first time SNL has paid tribute to a recently deceased guest; prior tributes were for John Belushi and cue card man Al Siegal.
GOODNIGHTS
Kevin Kline thanks the “incredibly talented cast” and the “amazing Bobby McFerrin”, praising the “great company of actors” and calling them “brilliant, wonderfully supportive people” before plugging Lovitz’s “silly movie” (My Stepmother Is An Alien) and his own upcoming film (The January Man), and tells viewers “you can tune in…whenever!”
Don Pardo plugs the Christmas show with Melanie Griffith and Little Feat, which will be their last in 1988, which Pardo calls “a very good year, maybe my best yet, but then, who knows what the future holds?, before signing off as “Santa’s oldest helper”.
Rerun alterations: Don Pardo voiceover removed.
Final thoughts: A pretty strong show, though it does fall off a little bit at the end. Kevin Kline was a good host, demonstrating a willingness to get involved with the writing process while at the same time letting the cast shine. Bobby McFerrin continues this season’s string of strong musical guests.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:
The Big Chill
Game Breakers
A Trump Christmas
Monologue
Plug Away
Weekend Update
SHOW LOWLIGHTS:
Breakfast Table
MVP:
Kevin Kline
CAST & GUEST BREAKDOWN:
cast
Dana Carvey: 3 appearances [Plug Away, Weekend Update, Executive Island]
Nora Dunn: 3 appearances [Game Breakers, The Big Chill, Executive Island]
Phil Hartman: 5 appearances [A Trump Christmas, Game Breakers, Plug Away, The Big Chill, Executive Island]; 1 voiceover [Weekend Update]
Jan Hooks: 2 appearances [A Trump Christmas, The Big Chill]
Victoria Jackson: 4 appearances [Game Breakers, The Big Chill, Executive Island, Breakfast Table]
Jon Lovitz: 4 appearances [Monologue, Plug Away, The Big Chill, Executive Island]
Dennis Miller: 1 appearances [Weekend Update]
Kevin Nealon: 3 appearances [Game Breakers, The Big Chill, Executive Island]
featured players
A. Whitney Brown: 1 appearance [Weekend Update]
Al Franken (uncredited): 1 voiceover [Executive Island]
crew, bit players, and extras
Andy Murphy: 1 appearance [A Trump Christmas]
Bob Odenkirk: 1 appearance [Game Breakers]
Don Pardo: 2 voiceovers [Game Breakers, Plug Away]
guests
Kevin Kline: 7 appearances [Monologue, Game Breakers, Plug Away, The Big Chill, Executive Island, Breakfast Table, Roy Orbison Tribute]
Bobby McFerrin: 2 appearances [“Drive”, “The Star-Spangled Banner”]
REBRAODCAST HISTORY:
April 29, 1989
Known alterations:
Edits: A Trump Christmas, Monologue, Game Breakers, Weekend Update, The Big Chill, Executive Island
Dress substitutions: Game Breakers (one shot), Plug Away (part), The Big Chill (part, including band shot), Breakfast Table (full sketch)
Audio remixing: Plug Away (intro).
Additional screen captures from this episode are available here.