SNL50 - Top 5 Guest Performances & Miscellaneous Moments

 

In the early days of SNL, there were guests who would perform at the show. They weren’t the host; they would just do their tricks or stand-up, almost like a vaudevillian-type thing. Here are a couple to watch.

5. HARRY ANDERSON – MONEY TRICK
EPISODE: S07E03 (10.17.1981)
HOST: George Kennedy
MUSICAL GUEST: Miles Davis
Pre Night Court and Cheers, Harry Anderson does a fun trick with a five-dollar bill.
LINK: Click here

4. RICH HALL - PLEXIGLASS
EPISODE: S10E14 (02.16.1985)
HOST: Pamela Sue Martin
MUSICAL GUEST: Power Station
Fun use of the plexiglass. I like the way Rich uses his eyes and facial expressions.
LINK: Click here

3. STEVEN WRIGHT – STAND-UP
EPISODE: S10E16 (04.06.1985)
HOST: Christopher Reeve
MUSICAL GUEST: Santana
The king of one-liners. Perfect delivery with his low voice. While this is my favourite set, I’m sure you can find some similar sets online.  
LINK: Not Available

2. MICHAEL DAVIS - JUGGLING
EPISODE: S07E01 (10.03.1981)
HOST: No Host
MUSICAL GUEST: Rod Stewart
Not only an amazing juggler but also really funny as he sets everything up. He was the only juggler to appear on the show. He performed six times.
AMERICAN LINK: Click here

1. ANDY KAUFMAN – MIGHTY MOUSE
EPISODE: S01E01 (10.11.1975)
HOST: George Carlin
MUSICAL GUESTS: Billy Preston, Janis Ian
A great SNL moment. Love Andy waiting for his part and almost goes too early. So weird and fun.
LINK: Click here

There are times when miscellaneous things happen at SNL. They aren’t sketches but they are moments that bring laughs and sometimes tears. Here are a couple.

5. A MESSAGE FROM EDDIE MURPHY
EPISODE: S07E06 (11.14.1981)
HOST: Bernadette Peters
MUSICAL GUESTS: The Go-Go’s, Billy Joel
Just a quick message to white kids telling them to drop out of school to be successful. I didn’t listen.
LINK: Click here

4. SHE’S A RAINBOW
EPISODE: S37E22 (05.19.2012)
HOST: Mick Jagger
MUSICAL GUEST: Mick Jagger
This is a touching send off for Kristen Wiig. I feel bad for Jason Sudeikis and Andy Samberg as they also left after that season. I like the different dances but nothing beats Lorne gracing the stage. Hard not to shed a tear. Love the song choice.
LINK: Click here

3. WAHLBERG CONFRONTATION
EPISODE: S34E05 (10.18.2008)
HOST: Josh Brolin
MUSICAL GUEST: Adele
Mark Wahlberg is a good sport when he confronts Andy Samberg for making fun of him in the previous episode. Say hi to your mother for me.
LINK: Click here

2. CHRIS FARLEY SONG
EPISODE: S44E19 (05.04.2019)
HOST: Adam Sandler
MUSICAL GUEST: Shawn Mendes
Adam Sandler gives a tribute to his best friend, Chris Farley. Lots of touching and funny lines. So sweet.
LINK: Click here

1. BEATLE OFFER
EPISODE: S01E18 (04.24.1976)
HOST: Raquel Welch
MUSICAL GUESTS: Phoebe Snow, John Sebastian
A fun idea. John and Paul almost came over. Lorne would have kept them from playing though because it wouldn’t be funny. He got to have that fun talk with George Harrison a couple episodes later.
AMERICAN LINK: Click here