Saturday Night Live
1975
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Samurai. In the early years of the 1970s comedy TV show Saturday Night Live, John Belushi portrayed an archetypal samurai — he had a dedicated concept of honor, spoke only (mock) Japanese, and wielded a katana. Sketches featuring the character showed him in different occupations that would not be expected for a samurai.
- Overview
- List of Episodes
- Appearances during Musical Performances
Samurai Futaba was an early SNL character portrayed by John Belushi, he appeared between 1975-1979. The sketch follows a katana wielding samurai who, while speaking faux-Japanese, performs various jobs such as a bell hop and a baker. The samurai, despite scaring many of his clients, always succeeded at his jobs. The sketch frequently appeared on ep...
•"Samurai Hotel" (December 13, 1975) - Belushi and his bellhop duel over who has to carry a guest's bags. The bellhop smashes the front desk with his sword; The Samurai says, "Well, I can dig where you're coming from," the only words ever spoken by the character in English.
•Host Richard Pryor portrayed the bellhop, the only time any other samurai was depicted.
•"Samurai Delicatessen" (January 17, 1976) - Mr. Dantley (host Buck Henry) waits as the Samurai makes a sandwich by severing ropes on hanging salami, slicing tomatoes in midair, and splitting bread with his skull. The two of them carry on a pleasant conversation although each speaks a different language.
•"Samurai Divorce Court" (February 14, 1976) - In the Samurai world, custody cases are resolved by splitting children in half.
•Show regular Jane Curtin plays Futaba's wife.
•"Samurai Tailor" (May 22, 1976) - Mr. Dantley needs a tuxedo for a wedding. The Samurai makes one for him with his katana.
•"The Purple Lagoon" (December 11, 1976) - Musical Guest: Frank Zappa
•"Rollo" (October 21, 1978) - Host: Frank Zappa
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