Anthony Perkins was an inspired and unconventional hosting choice. He used his famous “Psycho” persona to great comedic effect, bringing a delightfully creepy and awkward energy to the show. The sketches played with his horror movie image, and Perkins was clearly in on the joke, delivering a surprisingly funny and committed performance. The show felt a bit darker and weirder than usual, which was a welcome change of pace. The film parody “Shower Scene” was a clever highlight. Betty Carter’s incredible jazz scatting was the perfect musical pairing for the episode’s offbeat tone. It was a risk that paid off, resulting in a unique and wonderfully strange show.
Anthony Perkins SNL Season 1 Cold Open
Filling Time with Chevy: Chevy Chase performs a monologue to explain that SNL does not pad the show with filler.
