Mary Kay Place brought a wonderful, low-key charm to the show. Known for her role on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, she had a gift for understated, character-driven comedy. A sketch where she and Gilda Radner play two nerdy high-school girls was both funny and incredibly sweet. The episode had a gentler, more character-focused feel than some of the more chaotic shows. Bill Murray’s “lounge singer” character, Nick, made another wonderfully cheesy appearance. Willie Nelson was the perfect musical guest, his relaxed, outlaw-country vibe meshing perfectly with the host’s energy. It was a thoroughly pleasant and consistently funny episode that highlighted the show’s versatility and the host’s subtle comedic talents.
Season 3, Mary Kay Place, Willie Nelson, D
