Desi Arnaz/Desi Arnaz, Jr. (21 Feb. 1976)

The host for the episode is Desi Arnaz, and the musical guest is Desi Arnaz, Jr. The skits for this episode are as follows: President Ford receives a word-association test from his ... See full summary »

Directors:

Dave Wilson, Gary Weis

Writers:

Herbert Sargent, Chevy Chase,

Stars:

Desi Arnaz, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Desi Arnaz	...	Himself - Host / Musical Guest / Various
Dan Aykroyd	...	Eliot Ness / Various
John Belushi	...	Various
Chevy Chase	...	Weekend Update Anchor / Gerald Ford / Various
Jane Curtin	...	Various
Garrett Morris	...	Rubin Carter / Louis Armstrong / Various
Laraine Newman	...	Various
Gilda Radner	...	Various / Lucy Ricardo
Desi Arnaz Jr.	...	Himself / Ricky Ricardo / Youngblood

Storyline

The host for the episode is Desi Arnaz, and the musical guest is Desi Arnaz, Jr. The skits for this episode are as follows: President Ford receives a word-association test from his psychiatrist that ends with him falling over. Desi Arnaz gives his opening monologue, in which he thanks the cast for the special cigars they gave him. Prisoner Ruben Carter talks about how he gets recognized in prison now because of his National Express card. A man receives consoling from his friends when his 40th birthday doesn't go as he had hoped. Vampire Luciana Vermicelli shares her beauty tips. Desi Arnaz recites Jabberwocky in a very heavy Cuban accent. Desi and his son share some of the initial failed ideas that were proposed before "I Love Lucy" was picked up by the network. An extremely white man named Very White attempts to perform a love song in a soul club. A gangster's wife, named Lucy, gives her husband the wrong gun. Lucy shares some of her more extreme costume ideas with Ethel before ...

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Genres:

Comedy | Music

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 February 1976 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

NBC Productions

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

In "Literary Recital", Aykroyd introduces Desi as "Desmond Arnaz". Desi is short for Desiderio.

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Crazy Credits

During the credits, Desi Arnaz leads a conga line and it has the entire studio so energized that after the end credits a message comes up saying: "Adjust your set if it will make you happy."

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Connections

Spoofs The Untouchables (1959)

User Reviews

Do We Love Lucy, Desi, Babalou, Cuban Pete or All of this ?

To me this is the First SNL that totally hits stride in Season 1. The reason is the amazing energy of Desi Arnaz who at this time is in his late 50's. For some reason, the regular cast seems to feed off the amazing energy he shows on this show.

A lot of the bits on this show still hit the mark. Desi is helped by his son Desi Jr and the send-ups of I Love Lucy & especially The Untouchables really hit the mark. Gilda Radner is terrific in doing a mock send-up of Lucy. The week-end update segment is great though we are still waiting to see Rita Chase.

When I watch this, it seems to me the Not-Ready For Prime Time Players really used Desi's stage presence as an influence as they seem more confident on this episode than any prior one I have watched. The closing of the program with Arnaz's trademark Babloa & especially when they pull back the cameras & Desi leads the entire studio cast into a conga line is the strongest closing of the series.

A very touching moment on live TV in the closing is Desi saying "Goodnight Lucy" & Desi Jr. saying "Goodnight Mom". It is a moment which happens rarely on TV as a kind of dedication to the past. Not to be missed here too is Desi playing a Cuban Accupunture Doctor with John Belushi as his patient. This a funny sketch in a very strong show.