SNL Season 2, Episode 17: Jack Burns

C+

EPISODE GRADE

B-

MUSIC GRADE

The 17th Episode of Season 2 of Saturday Night Live aired on March 26, 1977. The host was Jack Burns, and the musical guest was Santana.
Jack Burns, a former writing partner of George Carlin and a TV veteran, was a solid, old-school host. He brought a professional but somewhat low-key energy to the show. The episode is most notable for Chevy Chase’s return as a guest, where he engaged in a staged, behind-the-scenes “fight” with Bill Murray on “Weekend Update” that felt genuinely tense and shocking. This moment overshadowed the rest of the show, which was otherwise a fairly standard, competent episode. The Coneheads made another great appearance. Santana’s fiery, guitar-driven performance brought a welcome blast of high energy to the proceedings. An episode defined by one unforgettable, controversial moment.

Jack Burns SNL Season 2 Cold Open

Belushi Demands Cold Open: For the first time, John Belushi has been asked to open the show, but he has a few demands for the network before saying those famous words, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”

March 26, 1977

Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!

Delivered by John Belushi

Episode Details

SNL Episode #41
Air Date: March 26, 1977
Producer: Lorne Michaels
Head Writer: None
Host: Jack Burns
Host Count: 1
Episode Rank for Season: 20
IMDB Rating: 6.9