Ep 1. Steve Martin/Blondie

In season 5, episode 1 of the iconic comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live, legendary comedian Steve Martin hosts alongside the popular band Blondie. The episode originally aired on November 13, 1979.

The episode begins with a very '70s-style opening monologue from Steve Martin, complete with his trademark humor and absurdity. He talks about how excited he is to be there, but also how overwhelmed he is by the enormity of the experience, noting that he's pretty sure the show is airing in at least two states that night. The monologue is punctuated by a hilarious musical number featuring Martin and the cast singing "All I Want to Do is Dance," complete with cheesy disco-era dance moves.

The first sketch of the night is a classic SNL political spoof, with Chevy Chase playing embattled President Jimmy Carter in a sketch called "The Final Days." Also featuring Dan Aykroyd as Secretary of State Cyrus Vance and John Belushi as chief of staff Hamilton Jordan, the sketch finds the White House in chaos as Carter's approval ratings plummet.

Other standout sketches from the episode include a parody of the game show "Jeopardy!" called "Jeopardy 1999," which imagines what the popular trivia competition will look like in the far-off future. Host Alex Trebek (played by Martin) is joined by contestants played by Gilda Radner, Aykroyd, and Laraine Newman, who struggle to keep up with categories like "Insects That Come Out at Night" and "Dirty Movies." The sketch is a hilarious satire of both game shows and sci-fi dystopias.

Another memorable sketch is "The Festrunk Brothers," which introduces the recurring characters of two Czech immigrants (played by Martin and Aykroyd) who are always on the hunt for "wild and crazy" American women. The sketch is full of classic '70s style references, from polyester suits to disco dancing, and is a perfect showcase for Martin and Aykroyd's on-screen chemistry.

Blondie performs two songs during the episode: "Dreaming" and "The Hardest Part." Lead singer Debbie Harry looks cool and stylish as ever, and the band's blend of punk energy and pop hooks is a perfect fit for the SNL stage.

Overall, season 5, episode 1 of Saturday Night Live is a standout episode that showcases the show at the height of its creative powers. With Steve Martin and Blondie bringing their unique talents to the proceedings, the episode is both funny and entertaining, and serves as a perfect snapshot of an era-defining program.