Candice Bergen/Martha Reeves/The Stylistics

Candice Bergen is back for another turn as host but this one is one of the weaker first season episodes. The comedy in this one is not as sharp as some episodes for one thing.

For the other, this episode is too traditional with the Christmas music. Some of that is OK but some of the Christmas music is poorly performed, the singing is just plain poor by folks who should not have sung these songs. This show has little flow.

Highlight is Canidce Bergen & the Bees Ice Skating at Rockefeller center & the Bees doing June Taylor Dancer type of formations. That is the main highlight. Think the SNL writers let Al Franken write too much in this one, or just went on Xmas vacation early.

Well, I don't know how old DKOSTY is or when he first saw this episode, but I first saw it on Dec. 20 1975 (it's first airing). In fact it was the very first episode of SNL I ever watched and it was by accident. I worked grave shift on Saturdays back then and had never even heard of SNL. On that Saturday I was home sick with the flu and had just awakened and turned the television on and SNL was already about fifteen minutes in. I almost changed the channel, but decided to see what this was and I must tell you that I'm glad I did, because it was the funniest and craziest thing I ever saw up until that time. I was laughing so hard and coughing from the flu that I honestly thought this show was going to kill me. Sure there have been better episodes since, but this was the one I broke my SNL cherry with. Last year it was also my first SNL download on ITUNES and I really enjoyed seeing it again after all these years.

Ms Bergen became the first host to be asked back for the Christmas show. She is truly enjoying herself which is why this episode is so enjoyable to watch. We will find out what happens when a host does not want to do the show later on.

This is also the first Christmas themed show and these were also some of my favorites as they helped me get into a jolly mood. I also recently came out as an Elf myself so I especially hold this one dear to me.

There will be many other Christmas themed shows with some great sketches in them. However, the entire cast singing Winter Wonderland makes this one truly special and enjoyable.

So make up a nice hot cup of eggnog and wrap yourself in a blanket and enjoy the Yuletide season with Ms Bergen.