Ep 15. John Goodman/Mary J. Blige
- Not Rated
- March 13, 1993
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6.3 (74)
John Goodman, the beloved actor famous for his roles in movies and TV shows like "Roseanne," "The Big Lebowski," and "Treme" hosted Saturday Night Live's season 18 episode 15. Goodman had previously hosted the show twice, and he returned to take the helm once again for this episode.
For his opening monologue, Goodman showcased his singing skills by belting out a song about how he was "finally leading man material" after years of supporting roles. The audience responded with plenty of laughter and applause, proving that Goodman's charm was still very much alive and well.
The episode's cold open was a sketch that parodied President Bill Clinton's controversial musical performance on "The Arsenio Hall Show" a few weeks before. In the sketch, Clinton (played by Phil Hartman) busted out a saxophone and played a rendition of "Hail to the Chief" that had the audience roaring with laughter.
Other highlights from the episode included a "MacGyver" parody featuring Goodman as the titular character, a sketch about a French restaurant with terrible service, and a short film about a man who gets stuck on a ski lift. The show even managed to fit in a fake commercial for "Touch, the gift that no one wants" - a parody of those classic gift-giving tropes that we've all experienced at least once in our lives.
Musical guest Mary J. Blige brought the house down with her soulful performance of "Real Love" and "Reminisce," showcasing both her talents as a singer and her undeniable stage presence. The episode concluded with a touching tribute to the recently departed actor Chris Farley, who had been a beloved cast member on SNL and passed away a few weeks prior.
Overall, the twentieth season of SNL managed to make audiences laugh, think, and feel - a true testament to the show's staying power and cultural relevance. With guest hosts like John Goodman bringing their unique comedic talents to the table, it's no wonder that Saturday Night Live has remained a staple of the American entertainment landscape for over four decades.
