Saturday Night Live -- Lily Tomlin -- November 22, 1975 -- Sketch by Sketch Review

Chevy Chase does another opening as Gerald Ford, using his tie as a hankie, answering his water glass, confusing the hotline and his regular phone, and, of course, falling. One thing that is apparent is that a lot of Chevy's falls weren't that severe, and this one is no exception. Some of the physical comedy is funny, but the fall..... falls flat.

Monologue -- Lily Tomlin -- 7

This is the first monologue from 1975 I've seen where the host actually enters the stage. It's scary to see how young Lily Tomlin looks. The monologue is a bunch of one liners that are pretty amusing. She then does a little poem about New York.

In one of her jokes, Lily says she "resents losing the ozone layer just so we can have Pam." A global warming joke from 33 years ago? Wow.

Beethoven -- Tie Yellow Ribbon -- 7

An amusing little bit where Beethoven, played by John Belushi, agonizes over a tune, only to come up with Tie Yellow Ribbon. Belushi's facial expressions make this one, as he sells the idea that Ludwig actually likes the jaunty tune he wrote.

Howard Shore and his All Nurse Band -- St. James Infirmary -- 6

Famed composer Howard Shore (who wrote the SNL theme) and a band of "nurses", most of whom are men in drag, play St. James Infirmary with Howard and Lily Tomlin singing. Interesting, but strikes a bit too much of Lily trying to show she's a consumate show woman. Check out Paul Shaffer with hair.

Triopenin -- 7

Amusing repeat of the pain remedy that can't be opened.

Jaws III -- 7

A repeat landshark sketch, with John Belushi playing Hooper, Dan Aykroyd playing Chief Brody, and Chevy as the shark. Belushi seems to not know his lines completely, but flies through like a champ. Much of the cast gets eaten, including Don Pardo in a funny bit. The ending is very flat though, with the director cutting the sketch and asking Lily to leave, only to see her the final victim of the shark.

Doorman interrupts interracial makout session -- 2

Perhaps in the context of the times this might have been daring, but now it seems simply like time filler as Chevy interrupts Garrett Morris and Jane Curtain going at it on a couch.

Edith Ann -- 6

Lily Tomlin does here Edith Ann bit while ice skating in this filmed bit. It's funny in spots, but slight.

Beethoven -- My Girl -- 8

Beethoven hits some notes that sound like his 5th, shakes his head, and goes on to compose "My Girl". Funny.

Gilda -- No SNL

Gilda lets the audience and us know there will be no show for 2 weeks.

Weekend Update -- 7

The first Generalissimo Francisco Franco joke is told, the week of his death. There are more "Gerald Ford is clumsy" jokes, and a dig at George Wallace being wheelchair bound that probably would NOT fly today. A joke about Charles Schultz replacing Woodstock with a character named Altamont is funny.

Spud Beer -- 5

Spud, the beer made from potatoes for people who can't tell the difference, with a commercial shot in a mental hospital. This is one of the first styled SNL commercials, shot with a tune much like the mid 70's beer ads. I've seen this one so many times its humor is a bit lost on me. I have a feeling this was much funnier back then.

Letter to Patty Hearst -- 3

Lilly Tomlin writes a letter to Patty Hearst that turns into a song about returning to her old life. Very odd, too topical, and not funny.

Dregs and Vestiges and I Got You Babe -- Muppets -- 5

The Muppets bore again when Scred leaves evidence that he's a big Lily Tomlin fan. This is followed by Scred and Lilly Tomlin meeting and singing I Got You Babe, which is kind of cute, but would have been much better on the actual Muppet Show.

The Impossible Truth --

Albert Brooks scans the globe for fascinating stories in one of his short films. In this one, he finds a cabbie blinded by staring into a spotlight for "about 30 minutes" who still decides to drive. Israel and Georgia agree to swap places on 1/1/77 in "an even property exchange". This and other stories are featured. The first two are funny. The one about a guy trying to date a 7 year-old... not so much.

Beethoven -- What I Say? -- 7

Beethoven takes a snort of snuff and suddenly becomes Ray Charles in this classic sketch, with Gilda and Laraine becoming the Raelettes. Funny.

Female Construction Worker Training -- 8

Lily Tomlin trains women construction workers how to ogle men and harass them. Jane Curtain is very funny as an uptight woman who gets into the spirit. A funny sketch today, but probably played better in the era of Women's Lib.

Speed -- 7

Ellen Sherman is a nuclear physicist, who does needlepoint, sculpts, among other things. How does she do it all? She takes Speed.

50's Dance -- 8

Lily does a one woman character sketch, standing at a dance talking to a friend. Its a nice acting job with lots of good humor. It's difficult to imagine a star taking over the show like this today.

Lily Tomlin's Closing -- 7

Garrett Morris, Chevy, Laraine, and Gilda scat while Paul Shaffer and Howard Shore's band play. One has to wonder what would happen if the show played around more with its format these days. I'm guessing people would complain, but this was a neat way to end the show.

Overall -- 7

Lily Tomlin seems to take over the show, but not in a bad way. There are many funny bits here and the show simply seems looser and the cast more entertained by being there than the casts today.