Since 1975, “Saturday Night Live” has produced a countless number of accomplished performers and writers, but it all began with the satirical genius of John Belushi. “Saturday Night Live: The Best of John Belushi” captures 16 of Belushi’s most famous sketches in what serves as a satire bible for diehard sketch-comedy fans.
The VHS includes memorable Belushi scenes such as the “Samurai Delicatessen” character and the re-occurring sketch “The Honeybees.” The best and most poignant of all the scenes is the elegiac “Don’t Look Back in Anger.” This is where an aged Belushi strolls reflectively past the graves of all his “SNL” costars and then breaks into an exuberant dance. Ironically, Belushi was the first “SNL” cast member to die in what turned into a tragic cycle of legendary talents abusing drugs and heading to early graves, another of whom included Madison native Chris Farley, who died at age 33, the same age as Belushi. Belushi’s musical flair for the blues is also evident in the Blues Brothers sketches, which feature fellow icon Dan Aykroyd, and his deadpan impression of ’70s rocker Joe Cocker.
Throughout the hour-long showcase, it is clear that Belushi had “it,” a natural sense of confidence and ease on stage that is often a defining characteristic of what is labeled as greatness in fields that require high skill and creativity. Whether it is an actor, politician, musician, artist or athlete, this intangible is hard to describe, but is evident when present. It is kind of like former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s definition of obscenity in the Jacobellis v. Ohio case (1964), in which he stated, “I know it when I see it.”
After decades of being ignored, comedy is finally starting to receive the recognition it deserves. In the past five years or so, critics and audiences alike realized satire’s place in entertainment and began to appreciate its craft. This is most recently evident in the Academy Award nomination of “SNL” alumnus Bill Murray for best actor in the film “Lost in Translation,” and also found in everyday programming such as the Comedy Central hit “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and the ground-breaking Adult Swim late-night programming on Cartoon Network. Comedy is making heavier strides than the late John Candy in a dead sprint. What few realize or fail to fully appreciate is that the concept of innovative humor being broadcast directly to mainstream audiences via TV and cinema began with the debut of the comedy series “SNL” on NBC and its first star, John Belushi.
The son of an Albanian immigrant, Belushi grew up near Chicago, Ill., in the suburb of Wheaton. He became a standout football player, earning all-conference honors as a linebacker and was elected homecoming king his senior year. He showed an interest in acting while in high school, performing in several student variety shows. Upon graduation, John turned down a football scholarship at Western Illinois and decided to attend Illinois Wesleyan. When he wasn’t granted admission to UIW, Belushi attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for a year before returning to Wheaton to attend a local junior college. It was in the fall of 1971 in Chicago where he found his calling for theatric comedy when he auditioned for Chicago’s comedy theatre Second City. He was hired immediately.
Performing six nights a week, Belushi wowed audiences with his improvisational skills and natural stage presence. During his success at Second City, Belushi experimented heavily with drugs, creating a “gonzo” style of acting (think of Johnny Depp’s character in “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” only on stage) that had not been seen before. He later worked for the National Lampoon before getting his role on “SNL” and starring in several films, including comedic classics “Animal House” and “1941.”
If you only know John Belushi as the American party icon from college fraternity parody “Animal House” and all the alcohol-laden posters found in dorm rooms across the nation that are associated with the film, this tape is a way to discover where the career of John Belushi took off, and how a satirical genius created new opportunities for future comedians and actors.
If Belushi had not died of a fatal drug overdose in 1982, he would have reached heights of stardom few people in Hollywood have attained. The video is a timeless compilation of Belushi at his best. This collection was released in 1985 and is only offered in VHS format. It is no longer sold in retail stores but is available to rent at Four-Star Video on Henry Street and Blockbuster, including its store on State Street.
Final Grade: A
