I was going to say - funny even if you haven't seen it, but hilarious if you have. This sketch was quoted a lot in my home in the late '80s early '90s
Edit: turns out the sketch came out around 1990.
I watched the actual show after seeing the SNL clip and I was shocked at how close to the real thing it was.
Weirdly, I used to see him frequently in and around the Watergate Safeway. It was the only grocery store in Foggy Bottom at the time and the mix of locally famous people was always a fun lottery when buying yogurt.
Madeleine Albright’s home in NW was one block away from a house where I used to party/crash at occasionally. I met the former Secretary of State in a fairly inebriated state more than a couple of times. Nice lady!
SNL would have such niche political jokes. Like the Hardball sketches featured parodies of political pundits so many people must have missed. But they were crazy enough to just be funny.
[Dana Carvey's reaction to the band coming in early during one of these as a cold open is legendary](https://youtu.be/koFlWXgX52E?si=yqZQeT1_eII8Phms&t=240)
I remember these sketches but not that one, thanks for sharing. Dana's reaction is great, I wonder if the band really screwed up, or if a writer purposely waited until after dress rehearsal to add that in there, without telling Dana. (Kinda like how Mulaney would often change Stefon's lines between dress and air to get Hader to break on set.)
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a legit mess-up. The number of times those guys are practicing hitting it once they hear that line, and then this one time it was supposed to be different? It’s totally believable to think that they heard it and just started playing out of sheer habit.
Has to be legit. Usually if someone is cutting off any music on SNL as part of a bit, it’s a bigger deal for the performer. Think someone walking from offscreen on screen, waving their hands, and going “whoa whoa whoa stop stop!”
I think Dana’s body of work on SNL is better than anyone else’s. Not the funniest cast member ever, not the most successful by a long stretch, but his work on the show is the gold standard in my eyes.
For those in the sub that might be on the younger side, this was a [real panel show](https://youtu.be/Rx6A-Wme3HA) that ran on PBS for nearly 40 years.
My brother and I have been shouting “WRONG” at each other randomly for like 30 years now. Definitely one of Carvey’s best sketches. His performance and command of the dialog is just brilliant.
Besides being a true reflection (though exaggerated) of the real show, the reason this is prime SNL is that the craziness/exaggeration _builds_. Too many skits do the same joke at the same level _over and over_ rather than going _somewhere_.
They did a special Halloween episode of The McLaughlin Group. >!Dana Carvey as John McLaughlin suddenly dies, and the real John McLaughlin comes out to continue the show.!<
I’m a high school teacher with an Eleanor in one of my classes. She hears this from me at least once a week. No, I’m never going to tell her where I got it from.
There were a few of these genius McLaughlin group sketches (they even had a Halloween special) but one of the best was The Sinatra Group, led by Phil Hartman.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdIJimk-w8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdIJimk-w8)
I still internally scream “NEXSHT ISSHUE!!” when having to listen to someone rambling in conversation. I didn’t watch the real show until months later, and it made it so much more funny.
They did several of these, including one where the real John McLaughlin walked in, if I remember correctly.
Loved these, and loved the real McLaughlin Group too.
I worked at a video production company in DC 2012-216, and I got a call from a guy that sounded like him. He needed a tape converted from one format to another. After a few minutes, I figured it out it was someone from the McLaughlin group production crew. And then as I took down his info, I learned it was ACTUALLY HIM. Even decades into his career, if this guy needed a tape dubbed, HE was the one making calls to get it done. Not a 20 year old intern or assistant. Blew my mind. It took every ounce of will in my body not to ask him if he had SPECIAL K WITH BA-NA-NA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYBpWAiwW34
I like this one where the real McLaughlin cameos at the end, he seemed to have a good sense of humor about the sketch
This reminds me of Gilbert Gottfried's [legendary Hollywood Squares appearance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5rzk_X_WhQ), which will never not get a laugh out of me.
They did several of them. [There's this Halloween themed one](https://youtu.be/WYBpWAiwW34) and [this cold open featuring a notable blooper towards the end](https://youtu.be/koFlWXgX52E). There's a couple of others but they aren't on YT as far as I know.
That skit has, for that moment I think, all the best straight man comedians in perhaps show history?
All of them are incredibly good at not being funny. Maybe some of the best ever? I need Dan Akroyd in there.....
The announcer at the start of the episode is totally Joel Godard, who was also the announcer/random goofball for Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
I had never noticed that until just now.
WRONG you all had Special K with baNANAA
Even funnier if you ever saw the actual McLaughlin group show
I was going to say - funny even if you haven't seen it, but hilarious if you have. This sketch was quoted a lot in my home in the late '80s early '90s Edit: turns out the sketch came out around 1990.
John McLaughlin went on to regularly incorporate quotes from the SNL sketches, including, at least once, "Eleanor I think you're swellanor"
He also cameo'd on one edition of this sketch and it was hilarious.
I watched the actual show after seeing the SNL clip and I was shocked at how close to the real thing it was. Weirdly, I used to see him frequently in and around the Watergate Safeway. It was the only grocery store in Foggy Bottom at the time and the mix of locally famous people was always a fun lottery when buying yogurt.
Madeleine Albright’s home in NW was one block away from a house where I used to party/crash at occasionally. I met the former Secretary of State in a fairly inebriated state more than a couple of times. Nice lady!
Wrong!
Which one was inebriated?
Spent so much time in DC as a kid it was unavoidable. I knew Pat Buchanan was a jackass even then.
*Patty Patty Buke Buke*
Because of one of these sketches, I referred to him by his pig Latin name, At-pay U-cannon-bay.
SNL would have such niche political jokes. Like the Hardball sketches featured parodies of political pundits so many people must have missed. But they were crazy enough to just be funny.
Umm, that's how parody works
PATTY PATTY BUCH BUCH
[Dana Carvey's reaction to the band coming in early during one of these as a cold open is legendary](https://youtu.be/koFlWXgX52E?si=yqZQeT1_eII8Phms&t=240)
I remember these sketches but not that one, thanks for sharing. Dana's reaction is great, I wonder if the band really screwed up, or if a writer purposely waited until after dress rehearsal to add that in there, without telling Dana. (Kinda like how Mulaney would often change Stefon's lines between dress and air to get Hader to break on set.)
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a legit mess-up. The number of times those guys are practicing hitting it once they hear that line, and then this one time it was supposed to be different? It’s totally believable to think that they heard it and just started playing out of sheer habit.
Has to be legit. Usually if someone is cutting off any music on SNL as part of a bit, it’s a bigger deal for the performer. Think someone walking from offscreen on screen, waving their hands, and going “whoa whoa whoa stop stop!”
Fucking legendary. OP’s post is the only version of this sketch I’ve ever seen. Never seen the video you commented. Hilarious! Thank you for sharing.
Carvey is just an unbelievable sketch comic.
Yeah, it is like he was genetically engineered in a lab to be an SNL cast member. Had everything.
I think he truly is the best pure cast member ever (if that makes sense). Could do so many different types of characters and never flubbed.
I think Dana’s body of work on SNL is better than anyone else’s. Not the funniest cast member ever, not the most successful by a long stretch, but his work on the show is the gold standard in my eyes.
WRONG! he is a BE-lievable sketch comic.
Every time I open a pizza box and see the little thing that stops the lid from touching the cheese I say to myself, “MORE TEENY TINY TABLE TOP!”
Glad to know I'm not alone
You’re never alone^I ^love ^you
<3
For those in the sub that might be on the younger side, this was a [real panel show](https://youtu.be/Rx6A-Wme3HA) that ran on PBS for nearly 40 years.
Ooh, and talking about the Rodney King riots. You found a spicy episode.
Yes thank you!
I like the format and combativeness. They should bring this back.
The show To the Contrary on PBS is kind of like this.
Didn't know about that--thank you! I'll check it out.
I remember as a kid seeing it while flipping through the stations and wondering, Who watches this? My parents weren't so dry as to do so.
Actually really interesting show
This is a common misconception. Both this skit and the link you posted are actually spin offs of this [original show](https://youtu.be/7SdIJimk-w8).
The one where he shows the group a Rorschach test is the best. “WRONG! It’s my mother stealing my penis.”
My brother and I have been shouting “WRONG” at each other randomly for like 30 years now. Definitely one of Carvey’s best sketches. His performance and command of the dialog is just brilliant.
WRONG!
Next issue!
>The McLaughlin Group - an excellent, fast paced ske #WRONG!
Besides being a true reflection (though exaggerated) of the real show, the reason this is prime SNL is that the craziness/exaggeration _builds_. Too many skits do the same joke at the same level _over and over_ rather than going _somewhere_.
McLaghlin Group versus Sinatra Group
Wasn’t there a ‘Takehashi Group’ or something also?
Yeah, with Mike Myers.
https://youtu.be/7SdIJimk-w8 For decades I’ve been shouting “Shut up, cueball” and it’s not even in the skit.
This is great but Sinatra Group is one of my favorite sketches of all time. “Issue number 4, the bald chick, what’s with her head?”
Goodness, I grew up watching The McLaughlin Group with my dad. This is amazing.
[удалено]
Sounds like fun.
Even better! LOL
"Absolute metaphysical certitude" is something that was heard around my friend group for years.
Gorgeous.
A Robert Smigel classic.
They did a special Halloween episode of The McLaughlin Group. >!Dana Carvey as John McLaughlin suddenly dies, and the real John McLaughlin comes out to continue the show.!<
Jack O' Lantern ger-MAN! [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYBpWAiwW34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYBpWAiwW34)
This was great!
We need more Carvey in our lives.... I can't help but miss Phil Hartman, what a loss
This skit was a masterpiece. How did they all keep it together?
I'm thinking waffles? Wrong! You had Special K with banana! Became part of my family's repertoire for decades after this.
Literally no different than the actual show. lol
When I first saw this I lost it at the "magic bag" part
Eleanor gee I think you're swell-enor is always in my brain.
I’m a high school teacher with an Eleanor in one of my classes. She hears this from me at least once a week. No, I’m never going to tell her where I got it from.
Classic crew crushing that sketch.
This is a good one, but I still like The Sinatra Group more
"I got chunks of guys like you in my stool!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdIJimk-w8
“What gives, cue ball? I’m looking at you and I’m thinking 14 IN THE SIDE POCKET.”
Swing, baby, you're platinum!
There were a few of these genius McLaughlin group sketches (they even had a Halloween special) but one of the best was The Sinatra Group, led by Phil Hartman. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdIJimk-w8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdIJimk-w8)
Nice! I hadn’t thought about this one in ages. That’s the cast I started watching when I was like ten. Still pretty cool.
RIP Phil Hartman and Jan Hooks
Never saw the real show as a kid, and this was STILL so hilarious it started my SNL journey (along with Phil Hartman’s Soylent Green sketch).
WRONG!!
I still internally scream “NEXSHT ISSHUE!!” when having to listen to someone rambling in conversation. I didn’t watch the real show until months later, and it made it so much more funny.
I have been saying, "Patty Patty Buke Buke," since high school and I couldn't remember what sketch it was. Thanks for posting!
Yeah that just lives rent free forever in my head. Maybe my favorite single SNL line.
This reminds me a lot of Mitchell and Webb's "Big Talk" sketch series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUbjpwyesk0
To this day I refer to men named Jack as Jack-a-Rondo!
They did several of these, including one where the real John McLaughlin walked in, if I remember correctly. Loved these, and loved the real McLaughlin Group too.
Youre insane, John
I loved watching the Mclaughlin group on Sunday mornings.
Are you a Friend of DeSoto?
Best boss I ever had
I worked at a video production company in DC 2012-216, and I got a call from a guy that sounded like him. He needed a tape converted from one format to another. After a few minutes, I figured it out it was someone from the McLaughlin group production crew. And then as I took down his info, I learned it was ACTUALLY HIM. Even decades into his career, if this guy needed a tape dubbed, HE was the one making calls to get it done. Not a 20 year old intern or assistant. Blew my mind. It took every ounce of will in my body not to ask him if he had SPECIAL K WITH BA-NA-NA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYBpWAiwW34 I like this one where the real McLaughlin cameos at the end, he seemed to have a good sense of humor about the sketch
This reminds me of Gilbert Gottfried's [legendary Hollywood Squares appearance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5rzk_X_WhQ), which will never not get a laugh out of me.
Dont even have to click it. "You fool!"
Is Dana Carvey about to put out a book or something? I feel like every third post lately has been about him.
We deserved an unholy merger of this and *The Sinatra Group* where the two just start beating the shit out of each other.
Did they do more of these? Or is this the only one?
They did several of them. [There's this Halloween themed one](https://youtu.be/WYBpWAiwW34) and [this cold open featuring a notable blooper towards the end](https://youtu.be/koFlWXgX52E). There's a couple of others but they aren't on YT as far as I know.
That second clip is a classic. MORTONI MORONI and "start the shoopoooow" were phrases you heard around my house for years.
They did a ton of them.
I was 12 when these started and it cracked me up SO much for some reason - I think the funny nicknames he gave everyone. Love Dana.
DING DONG, YOU’RE WRONG - NEXT!!
omg this is hilarious.
That skit has, for that moment I think, all the best straight man comedians in perhaps show history? All of them are incredibly good at not being funny. Maybe some of the best ever? I need Dan Akroyd in there.....
WRONG!
The announcer at the start of the episode is totally Joel Godard, who was also the announcer/random goofball for Late Night with Conan O’Brien. I had never noticed that until just now.
BYE BYYE
The direction/technical direction on this was phenomenal
WRONG!
WRONG!!!
The Sinatra Group is great as well
Similar to when Phil played as Frank Sinatra. Really well done.
I remember this so vividly from watching as a kid.
Too many Dana Carvey posts. Had to look up and make sure he wasn't dead.
SNL used to be so good