SNL Up Close: 1987-88

SNL Up Close: 1987-88

By the summer of 1987, Saturday Night Live had survived leadership changes, cast and writer turnover, and the threat of cancellation several times over; for the first time in years, the show was in a period of stability. New performers such as Dana Carvey, Jan Hooks and Phil Hartman quickly made their mark with characters such as the Church Lady and the Sweeney Sisters, and the writing had noticeably improved, with a renewed emphasis on political satire. It would make sense that the new season would look very similar to the last.

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SNL 1986-87: Final thoughts

SNL 1986-87: Final thoughts

After barely getting renewed following the 1985-86 season, the next year was a make-or-break year for Saturday Night Live. Fortunately for Lorne Michaels, the show, and NBC, this reprieve paid off with the strongest season since the original cast’s heyday in the late 70’s.

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Classic SNL Review: May 23, 1987: Dennis Hopper / Roy Orbison (S12E20)

Classic SNL Review: May 23, 1987: Dennis Hopper / Roy Orbison (S12E20)

Sketches include “Easy Rider”, “Church Chat”, “Frank Booth’s ‘What’s That Smell?’”, “Problem Drinkers From Outer Space”, “This Week with David Brinkley”, “Cannibalism Interview”, “Last Chance”, and “Sweeney Sisters”. Roy Orbison performs “Crying”, “Oh, Pretty Woman”, and “In Dreams”.

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Classic SNL Review: May 16, 1987: Garry Shandling / Los Lobos (S12E19)

Classic SNL Review: May 16, 1987: Garry Shandling / Los Lobos (S12E19)

Sketches include “Iran-Contra Hearings”, “Returning A Sweater”, “The Puppy”, “Support Group”, “Teeny Cafe”, “Redneck Airline”, “Hollywood Mom”, and “Happy Couple”. Los Lobos performs “Is This All There Is?” and “One Time, One Night”.

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Classic SNL Review: May 9, 1987: Mark Harmon / Suzanne Vega (S12E18)

Classic SNL Review: May 9, 1987: Mark Harmon / Suzanne Vega (S12E18)

Sketches include “The New Charlie’s Angels”, “The Sexiest Man Alive 1986”, “Very Smart Theater”, “Iran-Contra Hearings”, “Einstein Express”, “Salmon Spawning”, “Dave’s Party”, “He’s The One”, “Pet Chicken Shop”, “Myowling Bible”, and “Portrait Artist”. Suzanne Vega performs “Luka” and “Marlene On The Wall”.

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Classic SNL Review: April 18, 1987: John Larroquette / Timbuk 3 (S12E17)

Classic SNL Review: April 18, 1987: John Larroquette / Timbuk 3 (S12E17)

Sketches include “Pagan Easter Special”, “Sold Out Gold”, “Mother-In-Law”, “Collecting Evidence”, “Instant Coffee”, “Heaven”, “ICM” and “Enigma”. Timbuk 3 perform “Just Another Movie” and “Hairstyles and Attitudes”. The cast also presents a tribute to retiring cameraman Al Camoin.

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Classic SNL Review: April 11, 1987: John Lithgow / Anita Baker (S12E16)

Classic SNL Review: April 11, 1987: John Lithgow / Anita Baker (S12E16)

Sketches include “U.S. Embassy”, “Laramie Vice”, “Reverend Dwight Henderson, World’s Meanest Methodist Minister”, “The Pat Stevens Show”, “Master Thespian”, “Discover”, “Cross Country” and “The Fighter”. Anita Baker performs “Sweet Love” and “Same Ole Love”

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Classic SNL Review: March 28, 1987: Charlton Heston / Wynton Marsalis (S12E15)

Classic SNL Review: March 28, 1987: Charlton Heston / Wynton Marsalis (S12E15)

Sketches include “Oral Roberts University”, “The Fruiting”, “The New Paper Chase”, “The President Has Mustard On His Chin”, “Brookfield Zoo Banquet”, “The Hustler of Money”, “The Slave Drivers” and “UNLV”. Wynton Marsalis performs “J Mood” and “Juan (E. Mustaad)”.

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Classic SNL Review: February 28, 1987: Valerie Bertinelli / The Robert Cray Band (S12E13)

Classic SNL Review: February 28, 1987: Valerie Bertinelli / The Robert Cray Band (S12E13)

Sketches include “Affair”, “Dinner at the Van Halen’s”, “Hard News Cafe”, “Discover”, “Pet Chicken Shop”, “Washington Center (two parts)”, “Let’s Go To The Movies”, “On Broadway” and “Opera Singer Doctor”. The Robert Cray Band performs “Smoking Gun” and “Right Next Door”. Eddie Van Halen performs “Stompin’ 8H” with G.E. Smith and the Saturday Night Live Band.

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Classic SNL Review: February 21, 1987: Willie Nelson (S12E12)

Classic SNL Review: February 21, 1987: Willie Nelson (S12E12)

Sketches include “Afterlife Styles of the Rich and Famous”, “Great Moments in the History of White Trash (three segments)”, “Police Wire”, “Church Chat”. “Redneck Tanning Parlor”, “Bar”, “The Boyfriend Song”, and “Truck Stop Cafe”. Willie Nelson and the Family perform “Nightlife”, “Partners After All”, and “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”.

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Classic SNL Review: February 14, 1987: Bronson Pinchot / Paul Young (S12E11)

Classic SNL Review: February 14, 1987: Bronson Pinchot / Paul Young (S12E11)

Sketches include “Heaven”, “Amerida”, “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue”, “Jingle”, “Valentine’s Day”, “The Life of Golda Meir”, “Sketch Artist”, “Hardware Store” and “Miss Connie’s Fable Nook”. Paul Young performs “War Games” and “in The Long Run”. Buster Poindexter performs “Heart of Gold”. Supermodel Paulina Porizkova also appears.

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Classic SNL Review: January 31, 1987: Paul Shaffer / Bruce Hornsby and The Range (S12E10)

Classic SNL Review: January 31, 1987: Paul Shaffer / Bruce Hornsby and The Range (S12E10)

Sketches include “Hip”, “What’s My Addiction?”, “Synthesizer”, “The Grenada Experience”, “The Pat Stevens Show”, “Chinese New Year”, “Ticket Line”, “Asociacion Mexicana del Riñon”, and “SNL Memories”. Bruce Hornsby and The Range perform “The Way It Is” and “Mandolin Rain”.

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Classic SNL Review: January 24, 1987: Joe Montana and Walter Payton / Debbie Harry (S12E09)

Classic SNL Review: January 24, 1987: Joe Montana and Walter Payton / Debbie Harry (S12E09)

Sketches include “NFL Video Countdown”, “Bar”, “The Honest Man”, “Crack”, “The NFL Today”, “Mace”, “Chick Hazard, Private Investigator”, “Church Chat”, “The Michael Jackson Workout Tape” and “United Way”. Debbie Harry performs “French Kissin’ in the USA” and “In Love With Love”.

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Classic SNL Review: December 20, 1986: William Shatner / Lone Justice (S12E08)

Classic SNL Review: December 20, 1986: William Shatner / Lone Justice (S12E08)

Sketches include “Ballad of the Mute Marine”, “Trekkies”, “Christmas Party”, “T.J. Hooker”, “Star Trek V: The Restaurant Enterprise”, “Look At That!”, “Christmas Memories”, “It’s A Wonderful Life” and “The True Life Story of Frankie Toussaint”. Lone Justice performs “Shelter” and “I Got Love”. G.E. Smith and the Saturday Night Live Band with Buster Poindexter performs “Zat You, Santa Claus?” Kevin Meaney also appears.

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Classic SNL Review: December 13, 1986: Steve Guttenberg / The Pretenders (S12E07)

Classic SNL Review: December 13, 1986: Steve Guttenberg / The Pretenders (S12E07)

Sketches include “Iranian National Assembly”, “McSooshi”, “Derek Stevens”, “Two Guys”, “Sideshow of the Stars”, “Movie Talk”, “The Back Page”, “Marge and Steve”, “Casting Director”, “Bob Roberts”, and “Christmas Tree”. The Pretenders perform “Don’t Get Me Wrong” and “How Much Did You Get For Your Soul?”. G.E. Smith and the Saturday Night Live Band with Buster Poindexter performs “A Rockin’ Good Way (To Mess Around And Fall In Love)” with Chrissie Hynde. Penn & Teller also appear.

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Classic SNL Review: December 6, 1986: Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short / Randy Newman (S12E06)

Classic SNL Review: December 6, 1986: Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short / Randy Newman (S12E06)

Sketches include “Stumblebums Anonymous”, “Couch Cushions”, “The Devil & Ed Grimley”, “A Christmas Wish”, “Mastermind”, “The Eggshell Family”, “The Pat Stevens Show”, “Church Potluck Luncheon”, and “Halsey & Roarke: British Customs”. Randy Newman performs “Longest Night” and “Roll With The Punches”.

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Classic SNL Review: November 22, 1986: Robin Williams / Paul Simon with Ladysmith Black Mambazo (S12E05)

Classic SNL Review: November 22, 1986: Robin Williams / Paul Simon with Ladysmith Black Mambazo (S12E05)

Sketches include “Earpiece”, “Ticket Line”, “Hamlet”, “New York Word Exchange”, “Baycrest Jewish Retirement Home”, “And So Adieu”, “Translator” and “Automobile Club of America”. Paul Simon performs “Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes” (with Ladysmith Black Mambazo), “The Boy In The Bubble”, and “The Late Great Johnny Ace”.

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Classic SNL Review: November 15, 1986: Sam Kinison / Lou Reed (S12E04)

Classic SNL Review: November 15, 1986: Sam Kinison / Lou Reed (S12E04)

Sketches include: “Church Chat”, “Adobe”, “Parent-Teacher Conference”, “The Jungle Room”, “These Things”, “Pet Chicken Shop”, “Love Connection”, “Leaping Lord”, and “Krypton Survives”. Lou Reed performs “I Love You, Suzanne” and “The Original Wrapper”.

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Classic SNL Review: November 8, 1986: Rosanna Arquette / Ric Ocasek (S12E03)

Classic SNL Review: November 8, 1986: Rosanna Arquette / Ric Ocasek (S12E03)

Sketches include “Preemption Newsreel”, “Dressing Room”, “The People’s Court”, “Church Chat”, “Helmsley Spook House”, “Pork (two parts)”, “A Couple of Sammies”, “Dog Baseball”, “Make Joan Baez Laugh”, “Miss Connie’s Fable Nook”, “I Saw God”, and “Pango, Giant Dog of Tokyo!”. Ric Ocasek performs “Emotion In Motion” and “Keep On Laughin’”.

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