A CLASSIC SNL MOMENT FROM 1978
Some comedy sketches are funny because of a clever punchline.
Others become unforgettable because the performers keep pushing a ridiculous idea further and further.
Steve Martin and Bill Murray's famous “cracker” monologue from Saturday Night Live is a perfect example.
The segment aired on November 4, 1978, during Season 4 of SNL, with Steve Martin hosting and Van Morrison as the musical guest.
What begins as a simple comedy routine quickly turns into an absurd battle over one very important reward.
A cracker.
STEVE MARTIN HAS A VERY STRANGE REWARD SYSTEM
Steve Martin begins the routine by introducing Bill Murray as a great performer and artist.
Everything seems perfectly normal at first.
Steve praises Bill and then gives him a cracker.
That small action becomes the foundation of the entire joke.
Bill performs another little task.
Steve gives him another cracker.
The pattern is simple.
Do something good, receive a cracker.
But the more seriously Steve treats the system, the more ridiculous the situation becomes.
BILL MURRAY PLAYS ALONG PERFECTLY
Bill Murray's performance is what makes the routine work so well.
He completely commits to the...
