The syndicated half hour sketch comedy show gets it's network 90 minute debut.
I was a fan of the half hour version and this initial NBC show has some of the greatest moments of the original along with some very funny new material.
We meet the owner Guy Cabellero (Joe Flaherty) a cranky, shady old man who does not need a wheelchair but uses it for "respect".
The first sketch is a hilarious game show parody called "High Q". Eugene Levy is the short tempered host Alex Trebel (modeled on Trebek). He has to deal with some incredibly dumb high school students, including one played by Catherine O'Hara who keeps buzzing in before the host finishes the question.
We then meet Prini Scleroso,(Andrea Martin) a immigrant from an unnamed foreign country who has a hard time with the English language. Martin also plays station manager Edith Prickley, a wisecracking lady who constantly laughs at her own jokes.
Another classic sketch is the 25th Anniversary Show of "Leave It To Beaver". John Candy plays a grown up Beaver on welfare. Dave Thomas plays a closeted gay Eddie Haskell. Mrs Cleaver (O'Hara) is having an affair, Mr Cleaver (Flaherty) is a drunk and Wally (Levy) has been divorced 4 times.
The Canadian Mc Kenzie brothers Bob (RIck Moranis) and Doug (Dave Thomas) are introduced with their Great White North show, where they guzzle beer, fry back bacon and talk over inane topics. Here they explain why disco sucks.
The main storyline of the episode is introduced when dimwitted reporter Earl Camembert (Levy) tries to interview musician Levon Helm but can't seem to get a hold of him. The musical guests on this show would always be integrated into the story, unlike other sketch comedy shows. Helm performs two songs: "Sweet Peach Georgia Wine" and "Summertime Blues".
The final sequence is one of the greatest sketches ever "Play It Again Bob" in which Woody Allen (Moranis) tries to write a movie script for Bob Hope (a spot on impression by Thomas). The ghost of Bing Crosby (Flaherty) appears to give Woody advice on working with Hope. Bob doesn't want Woody's neurosis to run wild just write some jokes and bring in a busty woman. Woody wants Diane Keaton, who Bob calls a "string bean"
This has some of the best comedy writing and performing ever, don't miss this if you ever get the chance to see it.
