Saturday Night Live 15th Anniversary Special

"Saturday Night Live 15th Anniversary Special"
Saturday Night Live episode
Directed by	Dave Wilson
Narrated by	Don Pardo
Produced by	Lorne Michaels
Original air date	September 24, 1989 (1989-09-24)
Running time	2 hr 23 minutes

"Saturday Night Live 15th Anniversary Special" (also billed as "Saturday Night Live 15") is a 2 1/2 hour prime-time special that aired on September 24, 1989, on NBC, celebrating Saturday Night Live's 15th year on the air, having premiered on October 11, 1975, under the original title NBC's Saturday Night. SNL has since had two more specials celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 1998 and 40th Anniversary in 2014.

The 15th Anniversary Special featured montage clips, tributes and performances from Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi, Chevy Chase, Billy Crystal, Jane Curtain, Tom Hanks, Buck Henry, Steve Martin, Lorraine Newman, Mary Tyler Moore, Martin Short, O.J. Simpson and Robin Williams with musical performances from Prince and Paul Simon.

Synopsis

Summary

Sketch	Notes
Cold Open	Kevin Nealon and Victoria Jackson overhear comedians Dan Akyroyd, Billy Crystal, Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, and Robin Williams talking about their film projects. We then see Don Novello as Father Guido Sarducci talking to Nora Dunn, Joan Cusack chatting with Sam Kinison, and Mary Tyler Moore making out with Jon Lovitz. It cuts to Chevy Chase chase trying to convince Lorne Michaels, Jane Curtain, and Joe Piscopo, that he can do pratfalls at 58 years old. Chevy walks into the studio audience forced to wear a football helmet. He trips over Diane Sawyer, drops popcorn over Donald Trump’s head, and falls down a flight of stairs before saying "Live from New York, It's Saturday Night".
Opening Monologue	Tom Hanks gives the opening monologue welcoming the audience to the special.
SNL Moment	Susan Saint James talks about her marriage to Dick Ebersol.
1980 to 1985 montage	Christopher Guest and Martin Short introduce a montage of the SNL years from 1980 to 1985.
SNL Moment	O.J. Simpson talks about hosting SNL in 1977
1985 to 1989 montage	Steve Martin and Buck Henry introduce a montage of the SNL years from 1985 to 1989.
SNL Moment	Charlton Heston reads a angry audience letter written by Heston.
“Musical moments” montage	Billy Crystal makes jokes at the expense of Donald Trump, Old-Timers' Day, and Mickey Mantle. He introduces the musical moments montage.
Tribute to Gilda Radner	Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman introduce a tribute to former cast member Gilda Radner.
“Political moments” montage	Dennis Miller introduces montage to Weekend Update and Political moments of SNL.
SNL Moment	Jan Hooks talks about portraying four whores in one night on SNL.
“Tasteless Sketches” montage	Mary Tyler Moore and Eddie Murphy’s entourage introduce SNL montage to tasteless sketches.
Tribute to John Belushi	Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi introduce a tribute to friend and former cast member John Belushi.
Audience interaction	Robin Williams is sent out to stall for time. He walks into the audience making jokes at the expense of Edwin Newman, Dick Ebersol, Sam Kinison, Dana Carvey, Glenn Close, Phil Hartman, Joe Piscopo, Gary Busey, and Steve Martin.
SNL Goodbyes	Bruce Willis closes the show reminding audiences he will host the show the following week.

Musical performers

• Prince, introduced by Jerry Hall performed “Electric Chair”
• Paul Simon performed “Still Crazy After All These Years”

Tributes

• John Belushi, introduced by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi
• Gilda Radner, introduced by Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman

Participants

All performers were credited as repertory:

• Dan Aykroyd
• Jim Belushi
• Chevy Chase
• Billy Crystal
• Jane Curtain
• Christopher Guest
• Tom Hanks
• Buck Henry
• Charlton Heston
• Sam Kinison
• Steve Martin
• Dennis Miller
• Mary Tyler Moore
• Garrett Morris
• Eddie Murphy’s entourage
• Laraine Newman
• Don Novello as Father Guido Sarducci
• Joe Piscopo
• Susan Saint James
• Martin Short
• O.J. Simpson
• Robin Williams

Audience Members

Also in attendance included numerous actors, musicians, comedians, and celebrities such as:

• Gary Busey
• Dana Carvey
• Glenn Close
• Joan Cusack
• Jim Downey
• Nora Dunn
• Dick Ebersol
• Eric Idle
• Art Garfunkel
• Elliott Gould
• Gilbert Gottfried
• Kathy Griffin
• Jerry Hall
• Phil Hartman
• Robert Klein
• Eugene Levy
• Lorne Michaels
• Edwin Newman
• Catherine O’Hara
• Mike Myers
• Kurt Russell
• Diane Sawyer
• Paul Shaffer
• Garry Shandling
• Harry Shearer
• G.E. Smith
• Donald Trump
• Bruce Willis

Production

The special was the first Anniversary celebration which featured SNL original cast members Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris and Laraine Newman with tributes to John Belushi and Gilda Radner. Notably absent were former cast members Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy. It was followed by the 25th Anniversary in 1998 and 40th Anniversary in 2014.

Executive Producer Lorne Michaels stated the reason behind the reason for the special saying, "'I think he felt it was time we brought the old and new groups together. I think, perhaps, it also was a little bit the death of Gilda Radner...I would have resisted the idea before this, but I think this group we've had for the last three years has been well enough praised and good enough to compare with the old group. I think we've reached a sort of peak. I wouldn't have gone along with it if I weren't just as proud of the new group as the old."

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result	Ref.
1990	American Comedy Awards	Funniest Female Performer in a TV Special	Jane Curtin	Nominated

External links

• Saturday Night Live 15th Anniversary Special at IMDb