Saturday Night Live – Christmas

SNL: CHRISTMAS (DVD MOVIE)The best Christmas material from two-and-a-half decades of Saturday Night Live is collected in this video, which gets off to a raucous start by presenting Chevy Chase’s (literally) unbalanced rendition of President Gerald Ford decorating the White House Christmas tree. A number of memorable Christmas satires appear, including Eddie Murphy’s spoof of Mr.  Rodgers, Ana Gasteyer appearing in the “Martha Stewart Topless Christmas Special,” and even Adam Sandler’s “Hanukkah Song. ” Some of the best material is from the show’s early freewheeling years: a classic bit with guest Candice Bergen, playing an uptight newswoman, being suitably offended while interviewing an irresponsible and utterly sleazy toy manufacturer (Dan Ackroyd); John Belushi doing a silent yet brilliant turn as a hard-drinking department store Santa; and the entire original cast taking part in an elaborate (by the show’s early standards) production number. Also appearing in the video compilation are cast members Bill Murray, Jane Curtin, Phil Hartman, Mike Myers, and Dana Carvey, as well as guests Steve Martin, Danny DeVito, Paul Simon, William Shatner, and Alec Baldwin (who visits the NPR ladies to deliver a wickedly deadpan talk about his Christmas balls). Saturday Night Live has been notoriously uneven over the years, but this video is a full stocking of consistently inspired writing and performances. –Robert J. McNamara

Buy Saturday Night Live – Christmas

5 Responses to “Saturday Night Live – Christmas”

1. Anonymous on December 18th, 2009 5:35 am

   I’m a big fan of SNL, but most of the skits on this video weren’t that funny. Adam Sandler singing the Hanukkah Song, and Chris Farley as Santa were the only two skits that made me laugh. I bought this as a gift for my father-in-law and I wish I hadn’t! Maybe next year I’ll buy him the Best of Chris Farley.
   Rating: 1 / 5

2. Jerry on December 18th, 2009 6:20 am

   I gave it as a gift to folks who own every thing and well they didn’t complain but sayed thanks so I think it is a hit. If they don’t like something they just don’t say anything. So I don’t know
   Rating: 4 / 5

3. Iowahawkeye "Warren" on December 18th, 2009 6:42 am

   I bought this assuming for some reason that the Sweeney Sisters Christmas skit was here, because i saw Paul Simon’s name in the credits and he happened to be in one of their skits. Alas, NO Sweeney Sisters skit was to be found. That’s minus 1 star. Also deduct another for including the dysfunctional christmas skit INSTEAD of the Sweeney Sisters. The latter is even funnier than the Rita from Brooklyn skit, though i do like seeing Cheri Oteri included in this dvd.
   Rating: 3 / 5

4. Anonymous on December 18th, 2009 7:46 am

   A good look at the best xmas skits from SNL, except they forgotHannakuh Harry & Gumby’s X-Mas Special. It was great though to see Chevy Chase (as President Ford) open the collection, with other appearences by the BEST & ORIGINAL Not Ready For Prime Time Players Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Jane Curtain, Garrett Morris, Gilda Radner and Second Season replacement Bill Murray. Why Wont Lorne Micheals release SNL Season by season? It would be great to catch ALL the great performances, like the 1st season,PLEASE! Hail Chevy Chase! Also Recommend:UNDER THE RAINBOW-Chevy ChaseCADDYSHACK-Chevy Chase, Bill MurrayN. L. CHRISTMAS VACATION-Chevy ChaseSNL-HalloweenSNL-25 Years Of Laughs
   Rating: 4 / 5

5. J. Simmons on December 18th, 2009 8:51 am

   I think my expectations for this one may have been too high. I was hoping they would include more of the newer Christmas skits (i. e. Horatio Sanz, Tracy Morgan, and Chris Kattan doing the “I Wish it Were Christmas Today” song – my favorite!!), but it was mostly skits from the older seasons. Some were funny, but I think they mostly missed the mark.
   Some of the bright spots:
   * Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah song
   * The original cast singing “Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland”
   * Cheri Oteri, Rosie O’Donnell, and Penny Marshall as neighbors fighting over Christmas decorations

   Overall, I would say save your money.
   Rating: 3 / 5

Leave a Reply