The New Show
The New Show ran for 9 episodes (and one best of) on NBC from January 1984, Friday nights at 10 (a time slot SCTV could have used). Produced by Lorne Michaels, it emulated SNL's format and ambiance. Most of the people that worked on The New Show ended up returning to SNL when Michaels became Executive Producer again in 1985.
Featuring a regular cast of Dave Thomas, Valri Bromfield, Buck Henry and several uncredited performers, each week featured one or more special guests and a music act. John Candy and Catherine O'Hara guested on multiple shows, while Dave Thomas reprises several of his impressions, including Liberace, Michael Caine, Wlater Cronkite and Bob Hope. Other guests included Gilda Radner, Kevin Klein, Steve Martin, Penny Marshall, Carrie Fisher, Jeff Goldblum, Steve Guttenberg, and the Quaid brothers.
Writers: James Downey (head), Valri Bromfield, Tom Davis, Al Franken, Tom Gamill, Jack Handey, Buck Henry, George Meyer, Lorne Michaels, John Murray, Sarah Paley, Max Pross, Dave Thomas, Alan Zweibel. Staff announcer was Jeff Bergman.
1 Catherine O'Hara / Steve Martin / Jeff Goldblum
2 John Candy / Paul Simon / Carrie Fisher
3 John Candy / Kevin Kline / Gilda Radner
4 Raul Julia / Penny Marshall / Randy Newman
5 Catherine O'Hara / Randy Quaid / Dennis Quaid
6 Catherine O'Hara / Steve Martin
7 Candice Bergen / Steve Guttenberg
8 John Candy / Laraine Newman
9 Teri Garr / Maggie Jakobson / Maura Moynihan
10 Best Of
Thanks to Rick Langston for additional info.
The New Show reviewed at Split Sider.
1 Steve Martin: Billy Jean
The classic video.
Michael Jackson - Steve Martin; Dave Thomas
OPENING
2 Talent Contest Rehearsal
Teachers rehearse for the upcoming talent show in the staff room.
Mrs Gus - Bromfield; Mrs Lindon - O'Hara; Bob - Goldblum; Miss Henderson - extra; Teacher - Thomas; Student - extra; Mr Coloneck - G. E. Smith
3 Statement of Principles
Steve Martin recites the principles that will guide The New Show.
Steve Martin
4 Weekend Tonight
Buck Henry has an interview with Bob Hope and Kathy Lee Crosby in Beirut. Dave and buck describe the new years' eve party they attended in Palm Springs. Top 5 snarled cassettes found on the side of highways. The Pope and the Chinese Premier have good wishes for The New Show, and they get a call from president Reagan.
Buck Henry; Dave Thomas; Bob Hope - Thomas; Kathy Lee Crosby - O'Hara; announcer - staff announcer
5 The New Edition
'Popcorn Love'
The New Edition; Catherine O'Hara
6 1984
Larry returns from a ski trip to discover his world transformed as telescreen is installed in his apartment. At work he is put on a new ad campaign for Big Brother. At the Ministry of Nightlife he discovers his new coworker Karen loves him. They are betrayed by Supervisor O'Brien and sent to room 101.
Larry - Goldblum; Karen - O'Hara; Telescreen installers - Thomas, extras; Supervisor O'Brien - Martin; Doreen - Bromfield; Telescreen - Henry; citizens, troopers - extras; announcer - staff announcer
7 Joy Behar Leaves Home
A short film about Joy Behar leaving her Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn for the bright lights of Manhattan.
Joy Behar, friends, relatives
8 Research Facility
A scientist and security guard are drugged and try to get help before passing out.
Ben - Martin; Dr. Larson - O'Hara; Portugese man - Goldblum; Man in phone booth - Henry
Goodbye and credits
Full cast
1 Orson Welles and Ruth Gordon
Orson and Ruth say a few words on behalf of The New Show.
Orson Welles - Candy; Ruth Gordon - Bromfield; Buck Henry
OPENING
2 Paul Simon
'Hearts and Bones'.
Paul Simon and band
3 Prank Call
A mother is terrorized by a prank caller.
Mother - Fisher; Henderson - extra; child - extra
4 Mountain Mike
Mountain Mike comes down from the mountains to stock up for winter.
Mountain Mike - Candy; Shop owner Jim - Thomas; His assistant Earl - Simon
5 Time Truck
Buck and Dave try to prevent Lincoln's assassination, but are interrupted by a variety of other time travelers.
Buck Henry; Dave Thomas; Abe Lincoln - Simon; Mrs lincoln - Bromfield; Women from 1991 - Fisher, extras; Man from the future - Candy; Bob Willoughby - extra; aide - extra
6 Moscow Central Hospital
Russian premier Yuri Andropov and his friend Victor play pranks on the hospital staff.
Yuri Andropov - Thomas; Victor - Candy; Nurse - Fisher; Nurse - Bromfield; Aide - Henry
7 Weekend Tonight
On Cars of the Stars, Dave and Buck take a ride with Pavarotti in his Bentley. 5 top grossing limestone caves. Footage of an FBI sting of video pirates.
Buck Henry; Dave Thomas; Luciano Pavarotti - Candy; pirates, FBI voices - Thomas, Henry, extras
8 Paul Simon
Video of 'Rene and Georgia Magritte with Their Dog After the War'.
Paul Simon and band
9 Roy's Food Repair
Roy has a busy day dealing with a damaged cake, cinnamon toast, pretzels and taco shells.
Roy - Candy; Roy's wife - Bromfield; Miss Lardner - Fisher; Rudy - Thomas; Pretzel guy - Simon; girls - extras
Goodbye and credits
Full cast
1 Introduction to the New Show
Dave Thomas shows us around The New Show, and talks briefly to some of the performers.
Dave Thomas, Buck Henry, Valri Bromfield, crew
OPENING
2 Gilda Radner, Kevin Cline, John Candy
Gilda Radner engages in some hard edged satire with her dog before being interrupted by Dave, who then engages in some false bonhomie with Kevin Kline and John Candy.
Gilda Radner, Kevin Cline, John Candy, Dave Thomas
3 The Hustler
Eddie realizes his dream to play the legendary Minnesota Fats.
Fast Eddie Felson - Kevin Cline; Charlie - Buck Henry; guy in pool hall - Thomas; Minnesota Fats - Candy; pool players - extras
4 Post Office
Postal clerks do the good clerk bad clerk routine.
Mrs McNally - Radner; Lois - Bromfield; Phil - Thomas; Chick - Candy; bystanders - extras
5 Olympic Moment: Innsbruck, Austria 1976
Brother and sister pairs skaters perform their routine.
Ice Skaters - Radner, Kline; announcer - staff announcer
3a The Hustler Part 2
The game continues.
Fast Eddie Felson - Kevin Cline; Charlie - Buck Henry; guy in pool hall - Thomas; Minnesota Fats - Candy; pool players - extras
6 Weekend Tonight
John Madden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Closets of the Stars segment, featuring Liberace. Bob's Big Boy pays tribute to McDonald's founder Ray Kroc. Coverage of the Democratic debate.
Buck Henry; Dave Thomas; John Madden - Candy; Liberace - Thomas; Bruno, Liberace's elves - extras; Bob's Big Boy - Candy; announcer - staff announcer
7 Buster Poindexter and The Banshees of Blue
Buster Poindexter and The Banshees of Blue do a song on a night club set.
Buster Poindexter, band; Gilda Radner
3b The Hustler Part 3
The game continues.
Fast Eddie Felson - Kevin Cline; Charlie - Buck Henry; guy in pool hall - Thomas; Minnesota Fats - Candy; pool players - extras
8 Den of Revulsion
(Introduced by Dave Thomas.) Two couples engage in casual conversation that gets increasingly revolting.
Dave Thomas, Buck Henry, Valri Bromfield, Gilda Radner, Kevin Kline, John Candy
9 The Muensters
The ongoing story of the biggest cheese family in the west. Bobby returns home.
Jack Muenster - Dave Thomas; Dennis Muenster - Buck Henry; Molly Muenster - Valri Bromfield; Polly Muenster - Gilda Radner; Bobby Muenster - Kevin Kline; Arden Muenster - Maggie Jakobson; Kate Steele - Maura Moynihan; Sen Pete Hereford - John Candy; Jack Jr - extra; announcer - staff announcer
Goodbye and credits
Full cast
1 Restaurant of Revulsion
Diners are suitably revolted.
waiter - Julia; diners - Henry, Marshall, Thomas, Bromfield, extras
OPENING
2 Breakdancing with Penny Marshall
Penny Marshall breakdances.
Penny Marshall, breakdancers ('The Dynamic Breakers')
3 Walter Cronkite's World of Bloopers
Walter has some Flintstones and Jetsons bloopers, and talks to Wilma.
Walter Cronkite - Thomas; Wilma Flintstone - Marshall; announcer - staff announcer
4 Randy Newman
Penny introduces Randy, who does a number ('My Life Is Good').
Randy Newman, Penny Marshall
5 Scarface the TV Show
Scarface deals with his woman and is raided by the FBI.
Scarface - Julia; wife - Marshall; heavy - extra; Juan Valdez - Thomas; Mother - Bromfield; FBI - Henry, extras; sister - Maura Moynihan
6 Weekend Tonight
Buck and Dave visit the set of Laverne and Jackie O. Also clips of their visit to the dressing room of Sir Laurence Olivier. Also features the What's In, What's Out segment, Buck has the groundhog day report, and clips of Reagan at Congress.
Buck Henry; Dave Thomas; Laverne - Marshall; Jackie O - Bromfield; Laurence Olivier - Thomas; Dresser - extra; groundhog, bystanders - extras; announcer - staff announcer
7 Trivial Pursuit
Two couples play Trivial Pursuit.
couples - Thomas, Marshall, Randy Newman, Bromfield
8 Black Cheerleader
Maggie Jakobson does an impression of a black cheerleader.
Maggie Jakobson
9 Randy Newman: I Love L.A.
Randy Newman's video for 'I Love L.A.'
Intro by Penny Marshall; Randy Newman
10 Zorba the Moth
Zorba encourages Doris at the light bulb.
Zorba the Moth - Raul Julia; Doris the Moth - Penny Marshall; June Bug - Maura Moynihan
Goodbye and credits
Full cast
This episode also features John Cougar Mellancamp.
1 The Drifter
A stranger asks for work from a homesteader woman.
Man looking for work - Randy Quaid; Homesteader - O'Hara
OPENING
2 Buck Henry's Bikini Theater: Our Town
The Bikini Theater production of Our Town.
Buck Henry; bikini babes - extras; announcer - staff announcer
3 Commandos From Hell
Two commandos from Hell in a foxhole.
Commandos - Randy Quaid, Dennis Quaid
4 The Frightened Family
The Frightened Family deal with an ordinary evening of fear.
Father - Thomas; Mother - Bromfield; Gramps - Henry; Daughter - O'Hara
5 Mental Telepathy
Ordinary guy attempts to communicate telepathically.
Mental telepath - Dennis Quaid; people in library - Henry, O'Hara, Thomas, Maura Moynihan, Bromfield
6 Weekend Tonight
A brief salute to ABC's The Day After Tomorrow. Buck talks to Isaac Singer and Wendy O Williams in his apartment.
Buck Henry; Dave Thomas; Isaac Singer - Thomas; Wendy O Williams - O'Hara; announcer - staff announcer
7 Surprise
Lizzie tries to scare her two brothers.
Brothers Bob and John - Randy Quaid, Dennis Quaid; Lizzie - O'Hara; demon - extra
8 Phone Fantasy Club
Two hicks get credit so they can call a phone sex line.
Hicks - Randy Quaid, Dennis Quaid; Bank manager - Bromfield; Hardware Hank - Henry; Naughty lady - O'Hara; Husband - Thomas; kids - extras
9 The World Of Nature
World Of Nature talks to Paula Curtis, who lived with chimps.
Host - Henry; Paula Curtis - O'Hara
10 Here's Joy: Episode II Make Me Laugh
Joy does standup at the Comedy Crucible and signs a contract.
Joy Behar, comics, audience; announcer - staff announcer
Goodbye and credits
Full cast
1 Sarajevo Olympics 1984
Jim has technical difficulties and talks to a local.
Jim McKay - Thomas; Contortua Bletnov - Bromfield
OPENING
2 Steve Martin: The Kind of Guy Who Watches The New Show
Martin describes The Kind of Guy Who Watches The New Show.
Steve Martin; announcer - staff announcer
3 Doctor's Office
Patients describe their problem of nighttime unconsciousness.
Doctor - Henry; Larry - Thomas; Marsha - O'Hara
4 Rome Pickup
A suave Italian tries to pick up a woman.
Suave guy - Martin; American woman - O'Hara; Tony, diners - extras
5 Cyndi Lauper
Lauper performs 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun.'
Steve Martin; Cyndi Lauper, band
5 The New York Daily Bugle
Staff at the New York Daily Bugle puts the paper to bed.
Johnson - Henry; Chief - Martin; reporters - Thomas, O'Hara
6 Weekend Tonight
Party of the week is Andropov's funeral. They interview Julie Andrews. The top grossing Presidential museums, and top ten dives and hellholes. Practical jokes on the Space Shuttle Challenger. Workouts of the stars: Boy George boxing.
Buck Henry; Dave Thomas; Julie Andrews - O'Hara; Boy George - Thomas; announcer - staff announcer
7 The Extras
A couple of serious extras continually interrupt a movie shoot.
Extra Joanne - O'Hara; Extra Stu - Martin; Director - Thomas; Dick - Henry; Donna - Bromfield; crew, extras - Maggie Jakobson, extras
8 Job Interview
A job applicant confesses to being a communist.
Mr Griddo - Henry; Jim - Thomas; Barbara - Maura Moynihan
9 Cyndi Lauper
Lauper performs 'Time After Time.'
Cyndi Lauper; Catherine O'Hara
10 The Day Before
Experimental film by Zbigniew Rybczynski.
Buck Henry; astronaut - Zbigniew Rybczynski
Goodbye and credits
Full cast
1 Valri Bromfield Goes to Work
Valri makes it to work.
Valri Bromfield; Maggie Jakobson, extras; announcer - staff announcer
OPENING
2 Intro
Buck introduces tonight's guests.
Buck Henry, Candice Bergen, Steve Guttenberg; announcer - staff announcer
3 Campaign Trail of Blood
Walter waits in his hotel room before the New Hampshire primary.
Walter Mondale - Thomas; Pete - Steve Guttenberg; Time reporter - Henry; aides - extras; Reagan - voice extra
4 Vacation in Yosemite
Vacationers on a drive forget their camera.
Michael - Henry; His girl - Bergen; Jackie Onasis - Bromfield; alien voices - extras
5 Lynching
Jeb talks himself out of a lynching.
Rufus - Thomas; Johnny, Bill, Mike, Daniel, townsfolk - extras; Jeb - Guttenberg; daughter - Maggie Jakobson
6 Weekend Tonight
Buck talks to Mayor Ed Koch in his limo about his new book. Clip from new sitcom Mulligan Stew, and cannibal films from the past. Baby of the Week features Jagger and Jerri Hall.
Buck Henry; Dave Thomas; Ed Koch - Thomas; Koch aide - Bromfield; Mulligan family - extras; announcer - staff announcer
7 Chip Masters Organ Courier
Chip couriers the liver of a teenage girl across the country to LA and the desperate Richard Harris.
Brace Abernathy as Chip - Guttenberg; Richard Harris - Thomas; Felicia - Bergen; Parents - Henry, Bromfield; daughter - Maura Moynihan; Doctor - extra; Jay - extra
8 Menudo Documentary
Behind the Menudo phenomenon, with interviews with ex-members and a visit to Menudotown. (A film by Neil Levy)
Max Globus - extra; ex members - extras; announcer - staff announcer
9 Rick James
Music video for 'Ebony Eyes' featuring Smokey Robinson.
Rick James, Smokey Robinson; Candice Bergen
Goodbye and credits
Full cast
OPENING
2 Intro
Buck clears up the question of whether the audience is live, and explains why they never show the audience.
Buck Henry, John Candy, Laraine Newman; Sylvester Stallone, Richard Pryor - voice extras; Bob Hope - Thomas; announcer - staff announcer
3 Convenience Store
A guy needs to use a phone in a convenience store.
Shopkeeper - Thomas; Guy who needs phone - Candy; shopper - Maura Moynihan
4 Ping Pong Ball Scene
Film crew tries to get a scene where the ping pong ball lands in John's mouth.
Director - Henry; John Candy; extras, crew - Bromfield, Maggie Jakobson
5 Laurie Anderson
Laraine Newman introduces Laurie Anderson, who does a song.
Laurie Anderson, band; Laraine Newman
6 The Frightened Family
Once again, the Frightened Family deal with an ordinary evening of fear, with a wrong number phone call and wedding pictures.
Father - Thomas; Mother - Bromfield; Gramps - Henry; Bob - Candy; Bob's wife - Laraine Newman
7 Weekend Tonight
Academy Award coverage features a visit by Buck to Michael Caine at an acting school. Fish opinions of the film Splash. Annual pre St Patrick's Day chat with Tip O'Neil.
Buck Henry; Dave Thomas; Michael Caine - Thomas; Tip O'Neil - Candy; receptionist, Irish - extras; announcer - staff announcer
8 The Twilight Zonettes
Chris introduces a few scary Zonettes. Husband and wife are captives in an alien zoo. Girl goes crazy talking to herself in the mirror. Man incorrectly specifies wish.
Chris Serling - John Candy; Husband - Henry; Wife - Bromfield; aliens - extras; Crazy girl - Laraine Newman; friend - Maggie Jakobson; men in white coats - extras; Evil one - Henry; Man making wish - Thomas; Presidential aides - extras
9 Desiree Silver's Film Talk
Desiree talks to her guests.
Desiree Silver - Maggie Jakobson; Sledge Hammer - John Candy; Chuck Cumming - Bromfield; Olivia Newton John - Laraine Newman
Goodbye and credits
Full cast
OPENING
2 Buck Henry: Welcome
Buck tries to start the show, but gets shaken down by Dave Thomas' evil brother.
Buck Henry; Teri Garr; Bill Thomas - Thomas
3 Scabs Unite
Scabs have a meeting to organize.
Scab leader - Thomas; scabs - Henry, extras
4 Floont Artney Private Eye
Floont investigates a murder.
Floont Artney - Henry; Sgt Botnip - Thomas; Mrs Nestlebumb - Teri Garr; cops - extras
5 Bill Thomas
Bill ties Teri up and sticks up the audience.
Buck Henry; Teri Garr; Bill Thomas - Thomas
6 The Pretenders
"Show Me the Meaning of the World"
Buck Henry; The Pretenders
7 Mr Grandmom
Husband takes over the responsibilities of grandma.
Wife - Teri Garr; Grandma - Bromfield; Mr Grandmom - Thomas; announcer - staff announcer
8 Weekend Tonight
Gary Hart does impressions. They take a look at the issue of school prayer. Leading causes of injury to college students in Ft Lauderdale and the top five bad apples. They sneak into rehearsals for Death of a Salesman.
Buck Henry; Dave Thomas; Teri Garr; Dustin Hoffman
9 Bacon Go-rounds
Sample lady at the grocery store deals with various members of the public.
Sample lady - Teri Garr; Shopper - Jakobson; Shopper - Thomas; Grocer - Henry; Shopper - Bromfield; shoppers - extras
10 The Pretenders 2
"On the Highway"
Teri Garr; The Pretenders
11 The Wedding
A "Where's the beef" themed wedding.
Father - Henry; Bride - Teri Garr; Groom - Thomas; Mother - Bromfield; guests - Moynihan, Jakobson, extras
Goodbye and credits
Full cast
1 The Drifter
A stranger asks for work from a homesteader woman.
Man looking for work - Randy Quaid; Homesteader - O'Hara
OPENING
2 Steve Martin: The Kind of Guy Who Watches The New Show
Martin describes The Kind of Guy Who Watches The New Show.
Steve Martin; announcer - staff announcer
3 Floont Artney Private Eye
Floont investigates a murder.
Floont Artney - Henry; Sgt Botnip - Thomas; Mrs Nestlebumb - Teri Garr; cops - extras
4 Scabs Unite
Scabs have a meeting to organize.
Scab leader - Thomas; scabs - Henry, extras
5 Vacation in Yosemite
Vacationers on a drive forget their camera.
Michael - Henry; His girl - Bergen; Jackie Onasis - Bromfield; alien voices - extras
6 Cyndi Lauper
Lauper performs 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun.'
Steve Martin; Cyndi Lauper, band
7 Best Of Weekend Tonight
Compilation of Weekend Tonight bits, including Michael Caine at an acting school; Reagan addressing congress; top five lists, practical joke in space; Liberace's closet.
Buck Henry; Dave Thomas; Michael Caine - Thomas; Tip O'Neil - Candy; receptionist, Irish - extras; announcer - staff announcer
8 The Extras
A couple of serious extras continually interrupt a movie shoot.
Extra Joanne - O'Hara; Extra Stu - Martin; Director - Thomas; Donna - Bromfield; crew, extras - Henry, Maggie Jakobson, extras
9 Mental Telepathy
Ordinary guy attempts to communicate telepathically.
Mental telepath - Dennis Quaid; people in library - Henry, O'Hara, Thomas, Maura Moynihan, Bromfield
10 The Pretenders
"On the Highway"
Teri Garr; The Pretenders
11 Post Office
Postal clerks do the good clerk bad clerk routine.
Mrs McNally - Radner; Lois - Bromfield; Phil - Thomas; Chick - Candy; bystanders - Maura Moynihan, extras
Credits
Full cast
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