Saturday Night Live — Season 12
Facing cancellation after a lackluster previous year, *Saturday Night Live* returned for its twelfth season in 1986–87 thanks to Lorne Michaels’ persuasive pitch to NBC executive Brandon Tartikoff. The network gave the show one last shot, but with a mandate: a fresh cast was essential. Consequently, most of the familiar faces from season eleven departed, leaving only Nora Dunn, Jon Lovitz, featured player A. Whitney Brown, and *Weekend Update*'s Dennis Miller behind. Veteran writer Al Franken also rejoined the team, while a group of newcomers – including Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, Victoria Jackson, and Kevin Nealon – stepped into the spotlight. Hooks, who had previously auditioned unsuccessfully for seasons ten and eleven, finally got her chance. Hartman, having contributed to season eleven’s Thanksgiving episode as both writer and performer, proved a valuable addition. The twelfth season premiere, kicking off on October 11th—the show's eleventh anniversary—delivered a playful jab at the previous year’s struggles. Host Madonna, who had opened the prior season, delivered a mock “statement” from NBC declaring season eleven to be “…all a dream. A horrible, horrible dream.” It was a bold and humorous way to signal a fresh start for *Saturday Night Live*.
From New York City, this is...Madonna. The program features: A Message from Madonna, "General Dynamics," "Tommy Flanagan," "Quiz Masters," "The Amazing Alexander," "Church Chat," "Bows and Smith Advertising," "Alienses," "Ten Weeks In J…
The collection features segments from "Bartles & Jaymes," "Xynex," "Donahue," "The Crosby Show," "Instant Coffee," "Parent-Teen Drunk Driving Contract," Sam Kinison's stand-up routines, "Chalk Factory," and "Johnny's Finished." Also inc…
The collection encompasses pieces such as "Pretending To Be Lorne," "The People's Court," "Church Chat," "Helmsley Spook House," the two-part work titled "Pork," "Eddie & The Two Sammies," the film "Dog Baseball," "Make Joan Baez Laugh," "M…
The collection features a variety of pieces: a depiction of the Church Lady protesting Sam Kinison's appearance on *Saturday Night Live*, an image of a boisterous schoolteacher, a version of Superman where Krypton does not explode, a scene …
The collection features pieces titled "Reagen's Earpiece," "Hamlet," "Sweeney Sisters Retirement Home," "Adieu," "Robin Williams' Standup Act," and "Paul Simon remembers everyone but Garfunkel." Among the performances are Paul Simon's rend…
The collection features pieces such as "Stumblebums," the musical number "I'm Me! (And You're Not...)," "Ronald Reagan," "Under the Couch Cushion," "The Eggshell Family," "The Pat Stevens Show," "Halsey & Roarke British Customs," "Ed Meets …
From New York City, here is Jon Lovitz! The program features sketches including "Iranian National Assembly," "McSooshi," "Derek Stevens' Marketing Expert," "Seducing a Blind Man," "Sideshow Of The Stars," "Movie Talk," a performance by P…
From New York City, here is William Shatner! The program features sketches including "The Mute Marine," "Star Trek Seafood," "Star Trek Convention," "TJ Hooker," "Sweeney Sisters Christmas," "It's A Wonderful Life: The Lost Ending," "Fra…
The collection features glimpses into various worlds: "NFL Video Countdown," a look at "Leslie and Stu," the unsettling tale of "Pathological Liar," quiet moments in "Church Chat," the sports analysis of "The NFL Today," a peek into "Michae…
The collection features pieces titled "Paul's Dressing Room," "What's My Addiction?," "The Grenada Experience," "The Pat Stevens Show," and "Sweeney Sisters' Far East Medley." The Range perform "That's Just the Way It Is," and Paul Shaffer …
From New York City, here is Phil Hartman! The program features sketches including "Liberace in Heaven," "Nightline," "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue," "The Life of Golda Meir," "Hardware Store Gigolo," and "Miss Connie's Fable Nook." Pau…
*Afterlife Styles of the Rich and Famous,* *The Mob Snitch Who Wears a Wire and Loses the Deal,* *Party Girl: Great Moments in the History of White Trash,* *Church Chat,* *Welfare Cheat: Great Moments in the History of White Trash,* *Pathol…
From New York City, here is Phil Hartman! The program features sketches including "Reagan-Regan Affair," "McSooshi," "Hard News Cafe," "Discover," "Dinner At The Van Halen's," "Ching Chang In Love," "Washington Center Professionals," "Let's…
From New York City, this is...Bill Murray. The program features sketches including: Backstage SNL: The 110-Show Contract, The New York Telephone, Bad One-Night Stand, Donahue, Nick The Lounge Singer In Prison, Girls-Only Doctor, Il Retur…
From New York City, here is Charlton Heston! The program features sketches titled "God's Money," "The New Paper Chase," "Church Chat," "Sweeney Sisters," "Slave Drivers," and "A Message About UNLV." Wynton Marsalis performs "J Mood" …
From New York City, here is John Lithgow! His performances include segments from "Embassy Spies," "Laramie Vice," "The Pat Stevens Show," "World's Meanest Methodist Minister," "Master Thespian," "Discover," "Cab Ride," and "The Fighter."…
From New York City, here is Dana Carvey! The evening features sketches including "Pagan Easter Special," "Sold-Out Gold," "Collecting Evidence," "Heaven Has The Answers," "Instant Coffee," "ICM Meeting," and "Grab Bag Store." Timbuk 3…
*The New Charlie's Angels,* *People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive (1986),* *Grown-up Babies in Modern America,* *Very Smart Theater presents Attila the Hun: The Early Years,* *The Myowling Bible Commercial,* *Einstein Express Commercial: Whe…
The collection features pieces such as "Iran-Contra Hearings," "Returning a Sweater," "The Puppy," "Stu's Support Group," "Babette's Teeny Cafe," "Trans-Ozark Airlines," "Hollywood Mom" (film), and "The Happy Couple." Los Lobos performs "Is…
The collection features pieces titled "Easy Rider," "Church Chat," "What's That Smell?," "This Week with David Brinkley," "Problem Drinkers from Outer Space," "Cannibalism Interview," "Last Chance," and "Sweeney Sisters Farewell." Roy Orbis…
