Classic SNL Review: October 22, 1988: John Larroquette / Randy Newman with Mark Knopfler (S14E03)
RATING SYSTEM:
***** - Classic
**** - Great
*** - Good/Average
** - Meh
* - Awful
OPENING: ALIEN DUKAKIS
Michael Dukakis (Jon Lovitz) reports to his alien superiors about how the plan for a bloodless conquest of Earth is going.
A fun premise, and it gives Dana Carvey, Nora Dunn and Phil Hartman a chance to show off their own Dukakis impressions. Some clever lines as well, particularly the one about Dukakis’ success in Massachusetts being due to his turning the state’s residents into willing slaves.
I love the completely emotionless reaction shot of Lovitz as Jan Hooks (in her only on-screen appearance this week) lists off a number of synonyms to describe his wooden affect, at one point reading out of a thesaurus.
Written by Jim Downey.
Rerun alterations: Dress rehearsal used from when Dukakis takes down the painting up to Hartman asking about the popular vote and electoral college; Dukakis’ response to Hartman is also from dress. “I have to wonder which Dukakis I’m listening to” scene removed, as is from Bentsen’s “Horse hockey, I’m coming in” up to right before he’s vaporized; the latter cut also removes a tech error where Carvey, Dunn, and Hartman are seen leaving their set.
*** 1/2
MONOLOGUE
John Larroquette relishes the power of standing on the Studio 8H stage and dares anyone to challenge him for his throne.
This seems more tailored to Larroquette’s strengths than his previous monologue was, particularly how he uses his body language for dramatic emphasis.
Rerun alterations: Blue tint when montage cuts to the studio is removed.
****
COMMERCIAL: CARBON PAPER
A secretary (Victoria Jackson) gets help from an old way of doing things when the copier is broken.
A simple but effective commercial parody, with some nice sight gags from the floating sheet descending from above, and a carbon-stained Jackson wiping her forehead in relief.
This was removed from the repeat of this episode, but appears again in the Tony Danza show.
*** 1/2
SKETCH: DAN QUAYLE: PRESIDENT
Dan Quayle (Dana Carvey) is unprepared to take over after George Bush succumbs to pneumonia.
Decent sketch, though most of the laughs come from the opening narration and stills of the cast with terrified facial expressions; I did enjoy that most of the first episode was taken up with Quayle walking around the office whistling uncomfortably, with a cut out at the right time.
The use of the very tall John Larroquette and Kevin Nealon really make Carvey’s Quayle look small in comparison. This is also another rare sketch in which Nealon doesn’t wear his hairpiece.
John Larroquette is playing James Baker; the real Baker’s granddaughter Rosebud Baker is currently a writer for SNL as of 2025.
Rerun alterations: Voiceover and music during opening narration replaced. Everything from “He’s not sick anymore” up to the White House graphic is replaced with dress rehearsal.
***
SHOW: PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST
Picasso (Jon Lovitz) obnoxiously “improves” anything he touches into a valuable piece of art.
A good example of Lovitz’s more bombastic later work, with him yelling “I’m Picasso!” every time he scribbles on or destroys something; it’s also hilarious as hell, especially how it escalates. Phil Hartman doing his Frank Nelson impression as Picasso’s foil was also great.
The “what a revoltin’ development!” tag with Picasso scrubbing the pots and pans always makes me laugh.
Written by Robert Smigel, Conan O’Brien, and Greg Daniels.
Rerun alterations: None
**** 1/2
COMMERCIAL: THE CRESTS AND TROUGHS OF VERNON HAWLEY JR.
Country singer Vernon Hawley’s (John Larroquette) new album tracks his alcohol-induced highs and lows.
This was great; pretty much all of the songs are hilarious, and I love the swings between the uptempo “party” tines and the slower, remorseful songs.
Funny detail with so many of the song titles having the word “again” in parentheses.
Written by Al Franken.
Rerun alterations: Audience mixed lower in rerun.
****
COMMERCIAL: BUSH I
Many great presidents tower over 6 feet tall, but Dukakis is only 5’5’’ and a half.
Good start to tonight’s runner, with a particularly petty reason why Bush is a better choice.
Rerun alterations: None
*** 1/2
SKETCH: FORBIDDEN FRUIT
Swooshy-thighed waitress Helene (Nora Dunn) suggestively banters with customers and the health inspector (John Larroquette).
A very quick, low-key slice-of-life piece that largely works because of how well the actors play off one another. The ending is a little awkward, though that could be due to the lack of applause; I wonder if the changes between dress and air weren’t properly communicated to the booth crew.
Written by Nora Dunn, Christine Zander, and Shannon Gaughan.
Rerun alterations: Entire sketch is replaced with the dress rehearsal version, which has a different ending where Larroquette, Nealon, and Hartman all watch Dunn sit down for her smoke.
*** (*** 1/2 for dress)
COMMERCIAL: BUSH II
Many great presidents’ parents were born in America, but not Michael Dukakis’.
Good continuation of the runner; pretty straightforward.
Rerun alterations: None
*** 1/2
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: “IT’S MONEY THAT MATTERS”
Randy Newman and Mark Knopfler perform one of their collaborations from Newman’s new album Land of Dreams with SNL Band members G.E. Smith, Leon Pendarvis, Tony Garnier, and Chris Parker, plus two backing vocalists I can’t identify. This is one of Newman’s catchier tunes, and it works well on the SNL stage.
Rerun alterations: Audio remixed
WEEKEND UPDATE
Opening music: “Beds Are Burning” by Midnight Oil.
Best jokes: Lloyd Bentsen, Reagan eats a warhead, abortion, last liberal, trapped whales
A strong night for Dennis Miller, boosted by the election material.
Lyndon LaRouche (Al Franken) discusses his conspiracy theories regarding the upcoming election; there are some elements that Franken reuses from the Lyndon LaRouche Theatre sketch from two and a half years ago (particularly “the greatest lie of them all: that I am insane”), but I enjoy his creepy take on the perennial presidential candidate, including the bit where he gulps a full glass of water.
Kevin Nealon has a message about the upcoming election, which he prefaces (and follows) with a number of qualifiers. Good Nealon-esque humor here.
Dennis Miller debates Dennis Miller (Dana Carvey) in a point-counterpoint about the Robin Givens-Mike Tyson marriage; there’s a bit of misogyny directed at Givens that hasn’t really aged well, especially since Tyson would later spend some time in jail for rape, but Carvey’s impression has improved since last December, and there’s some fun interplay between him and the real Miller.
Rerun alterations: None
*** 1/2
SKETCH: INTIMACY
Bob (John Larroquette) and Jackie (Victoria Jackson) are indiscreet when discussing their sex life while out with business acquaintances for dinner.
This seems like something that the show would do in later seasons (the ending reminds me too much of those Needlers sketches in the mid-2000s), but here it has a realistic tone that works in its favour and makes the sexual references, including Victoria Jackson saying she broke a bed masturbating, stand out more.
Interesting use of the musical guest stage, especially since Randy Newman was playing in front of the band on home base tonight.
Written by Al Franken & Tom Davis, Christine Zander, A. Whitney Brown, and Jim Downey.
Rerun alterations: Slight edit to remove the waiter stumbling on his line.
*** 1/2
BAND SHOT
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: “DIXIE FLYER”
Mark Knopfler and the full SNL Band, plus a guest percussionist who’s been sitting in with them all night that I don’t have an ID for, join Randy Newman on an autobiographical vignette; Newman’s mother, the subject of the song, had actually died earlier in the month.
Rerun alterations: Audio remixed.
SHOW: THIS OLD HOUSE
Bob Vila (John Larroquette) gives a couple (Kevin Nealon and Victoria Jackson) helpful hints about the annoying evil forces in their new house.
This is a particularly underrated sketch that doesn’t seem to make the Halloween compilations; Larroquette as Vila is perfect casting, and there are so many funny parts with the casual treatment of walls that sweat blood, demonic rants and hellmouths.
Great ending with Nealon suddenly keeling over with a bunch of screwdrivers in his back, and Larroquette cheerfully saying, “Well…Tom’s dead.”
Written by Bonnie & Terry Turner.
Rerun alterations: None
*****
COMMERCIAL: BUSH III
Michael Dukakis’ southern European heritage keeps him out of the company of great presidents.
Good payoff to the runner.
Rerun alterations: SNL band false start removed; audio is shifted over slightly.
****
SHOW: GAY COMMUNIST GUN CLUB
Callers ask questions about the group’s membership qualifications.
Another sketch that I consider a bit of a lost classic, with a very simple but strong premise executed perfectly; I can’t think of anyone else who could have carried it as well as Hartman and Larroquette do here.
Al Franken as the redneck caller always makes me laugh; I keep imagining its the same character he played in that “Danger Probe” sketch with Michael Palin as the fop 10 years before. I’m not sure who the caller asking about whether Marx was gay was; John Bowman perhaps?
The presidential endorsement was hilarious. I also love Larroquette’s sign-off (“And remember, there is no God, but if there were, we think he would be a gun-loving homosexual.”)
Written by Jack Handey, Jim Downey, and John Bowman.
Rerun alterations: Hartman pausing before saying “positions” during the presidential endorsement is fixed.
*****
GOODNIGHTS:
John Larroquette says he had an incredible time and that he hopes the audience did too.
Don Pardo announces that the show will return with a brand new episode on November 5, as everyone is taking a Halloween break.
Rerun alterations: Don Pardo voiceover replaced with a new one advertising the show returning live on March 18 with Mary Tyler Moore and Living Colour. This show never took place; a repeat of Matthew Modine’s show aired instead, while Mary Tyler Moore and Living Colour were rebooked for separate shows on March 25 and April 1, respectively. I wonder what happened there, especially since the only reasons that scheduled shows have been scrapped were due to strikes or the COVID-19 pandemic.
Final thoughts: Another very strong show, perhaps a bit overlooked compared to the justly recognized premiere with Tom Hanks; the two last full-length sketches in particular are some of my all-time favourites. It’s a shame John Larroquette never hosted again after this, as he was a very committed and game host, and it seemed like the show recognized this a little more than the last time he appeared.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:
Gay Communist Gun Club
This Old House
Portrait Of The Artist
The Crest And Troughs Of Vernon Hawley Jr.
Monologue
Bush III
Alien Dukakis
Intimacy
Weekend Update
Bush I
Bush II
SHOW LOWLIGHTS:
(none)
MVP:
John Larroquette
CAST & GUEST BREAKDOWN:
cast
Dana Carvey: 5 appearances [Alien Dukakis, Monologue, Dan Quayle: President, Portrait Of The Artist, Weekend Update]; 1 voiceover [Gay Communist Gun Club]
Nora Dunn: 4 appearances [Alien Dukakis, Portrait of the Artist, Forbidden Fruit, Intimacy]
Phil Hartman: 6 appearances [Alien Dukakis, Carbon Paper, Portrait Of The Artist, Forbidden Fruit, Intimacy, Gay Communist Gun Club]; 1 voiceover [Portrait Of The Artist]; 1 still [Dan Quayle: President]
Jan Hooks: 1 appearance [Alien Dukakis]; 1 voiceover [Gay Communist Gun Club]
Victoria Jackson: 4 appearances [Carbon Paper, Portrait Of The Artist, Intimacy, This Old House]; 1 voiceover [Dan Quayle: President]
Jon Lovitz: 2 appearances [Alien Dukakis, Portrait Of The Artist]; 1 voiceover [Gay Communist Gun Club]
Dennis Miller: 1 appearance [Weekend Update]
Kevin Nealon: 6 appearances [Alien Dukakis, Dan Quayle: President, Portrait Of The Artist, Forbidden Fruit, Weekend Update, This Old House]
featured players
Al Franken: 1 appearance [Weekend Update]; 1 voiceover [Gay Communist Gun Club]
unbilled crew, bit players, and extras
Tom Davis: 1 appearance [Intimacy]; 1 voiceover [Gay Communist Gun Club]
Jim Downey: 1 voiceover [Gay Communist Gun Club]
John Henry Kurtz: 4 voiceovers [Dan Quayle: President, Bush I, Bush II, Bush III]
Andy Murphy: 1 appearance [Intimacy]
Don Pardo: 1 voiceover [The Crests And Troughs Of Vernon Hawley Jr.]
G.E. Smith and the Saturday Night Live Band
Lew Del Gatto: 1 appearance [“Dixie Flyer”]
Alex Foster: 1 appearance [“Dixie Flyer”]
Earl Gardner: 1 appearance [“Dixie Flyer”]
Tony Garnier: 2 appearances [“It’s Money That Matters”, “Dixie Flyer”]
Cheryl Hardwick: 1 appearance [“Dixie Flyer”]
Chris Parker: 2 appearances [“It’s Money That Matters”, “Dixie Flyer”]
Leon Pendarvis: 2 appearances [“It’s Money That Matters”, “Dixie Flyer”]
Lenny Pickett: 1 appearance [“Dixie Flyer”]
G.E. Smith: 3 appearances [“It’s Money That Matters”, Band Shot, “Dixie Flyer”]
Steve Turre: 1 appearance [“Dixie Flyer”]
guests
John Larroquette: 7 appearances [Monologue, Dan Quayle: President, The Crests And Troughs Of Vernon Hawley Jr., Forbidden Fruit, Intimacy, This Old House, Gay Communist Gun Club]
Randy Newman: 2 appearances [“It’s Money That Matters”, “Dixie Flyer”]
Mark Knopfler: 3 appearances [“It’s Money That Matters”, Band Shot, “Dixie Flyer”]
REBROADCAST HISTORY:
March 4, 1989
Known alterations:
Carbon Paper removed
Edits: Alien Dukakis, Intimacy, Gay Communist Gun Club
Dress substitutions: Alien Dukakis (part), Dan Quayle: President (part), Forbidden Fruit (full)
Audio remixing: Dan Quayle: President, The Crests And Troughs Of Vernon Hawley Jr., “It’s Money That Matters”, “Dixie Flyer”, Bush III
Additional screen captures from this episode are available here.