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{{real world}}
 
{{real world}}
'''''Saturday Night Live''''' , or '''SNL''' for short, has parodied ''Star Trek'' many times over the years in addition to appearances by many ''Trek'' actors. ''SNL'' was produced for, and aired by [[NBC]] television network, the network that had been the original broadcaster of {{s|1}}.
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'''''Saturday Night Live''''', or '''SNL''' for short, is an American late-night television comedy show featuring various comedy sketches, involving both a regular cast and celebrity guests.
  +
  +
SNL has parodied ''[[Star Trek]]'' many times over the years in addition to appearances by many ''Trek'' actors. Since its beginning in October 1975, ''SNL'' is produced for, and airs on [[NBC]], the network that had been the original broadcaster of {{s|TOS}}.
   
 
== Sketches ==
 
== Sketches ==
 
==="The Last Voyage of the ''Enterprise''"===
 
==="The Last Voyage of the ''Enterprise''"===
 
[[File:John Belushi, SNL Vulcan salute.jpg|thumb|John Belushi gives the [[Vulcan salute]]]]
 
[[File:John Belushi, SNL Vulcan salute.jpg|thumb|John Belushi gives the [[Vulcan salute]]]]
''SNL'' first featured a ''Star Trek'' parody in 1976 entitled "The Last Voyage of the ''Enterprise''". It starred John Belushi as Captain Kirk, Chevy Chase as Spock, and Dan Aykroyd as Dr. McCoy and the voice of Scotty. The ''Enterprise'' is pursued through space by a [[20th century]] [[automobile]], "owned by a company that manufactured cookies" (a play on the fact that the full name of NBC--the network that airs ''SNL''--is the National Broadcasting Company, whereas the "cookie company" in question is Nabisco, who's name is short for National BISCUIT Company). A passenger from the vehicle, NBC executive Herb Goodman (played by host Elliott Gould), boards the ''Enterprise'' and informs the actors that ''Star Trek'' has been cancelled.
+
''SNL'' first featured a ''Star Trek'' parody in 1976 entitled "The Last Voyage of the ''Enterprise''". It starred {{w|John Belushi}} as Captain Kirk, {{w|Chevy Chase}} as Spock, and {{w|Dan Aykroyd}} as Dr. McCoy and the voice of Scotty, with actress Doris Powell as Uhura and SNL set designer {{w|Akira Yoshimura}} in the first of several apperances on the show as Sulu. The premise of the skit finds the ''Enterprise'' being pursued through space by a [[20th century]] [[automobile]], "owned by a company that manufactured cookies" (a play on the fact that the full name of NBC--the network that airs ''SNL''--is the National Broadcasting Company, whereas the "cookie company" in question is {{w|Nabisco}}, who's name is short for National BISCUIT Company). A passenger from the vehicle, NBC executive Herb Goodman (played by host {{w|Elliott Gould}}), boards the ''Enterprise'' and informs the actors that ''Star Trek'' has been cancelled. Goodman has his assistant Curtis ({{w|Garrett Morris}}) and an NBC stage crew break down the set, while Spock (now out of character as Leonard Nimoy and hysterically bemoaning his lost job, as quoted below) frantically wandering the set looking for his ear tips that Goodman has pulled off. McCoy, Uhura and Sulu (now also having broken character and speaking as [[DeForest Kelley]], [[Nichelle Nichols]] & [[George Takei]]) leave the set despondently. Kirk, sitting in his chair on the now-disassembled bridge, makes one final log entry (quoted below).
   
 
*"''Most peculiar, captain. I can only assume that they possess some sort of weapons deactivator, in which case I shall merely render him unconscious with my famous Vulcan nerve pinch.''" - Chevy Chase (as Spock)
 
*"''Most peculiar, captain. I can only assume that they possess some sort of weapons deactivator, in which case I shall merely render him unconscious with my famous Vulcan nerve pinch.''" - Chevy Chase (as Spock)
 
* "''I don't believe it! God!!! Everybody I know loves the show when I see the show, huh? I have a contract! I have a contract! I want my... Where's my ears? I want my ears back! I want my ears back!''" - Chevy Chase (as a breaking-character Leonard Nimoy)
 
* "''I don't believe it! God!!! Everybody I know loves the show when I see the show, huh? I have a contract! I have a contract! I want my... Where's my ears? I want my ears back! I want my ears back!''" - Chevy Chase (as a breaking-character Leonard Nimoy)
 
* "''I'm a doctor, not a tailor, dammit.''" - Dan Aykroyd (as Dr. McCoy) [a parody of McCoy's famous phase "[[I'm a doctor, not a...]]"]
 
* "''I'm a doctor, not a tailor, dammit.''" - Dan Aykroyd (as Dr. McCoy) [a parody of McCoy's famous phase "[[I'm a doctor, not a...]]"]
* "''Live long and prosper... Promise!''" - John Belushi (as [[James T. Kirk]]) [NOTE: This is the quote depicted in the photo at right; it references Shatner's Promise margarine ads, which aired around the time the sketch was made.]
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* "''Captain’s Log, final entry. We have tried to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before. And except for one television network, we have found intelligent life everywhere in the galaxy. Live long and prosper... Promise! Captain James T. Kirk, SC 937-0176 CEC.''" - John Belushi (as [[James T. Kirk]]) [NOTE: This is the above-mentioned final log entry depicted in the photo at right; it references Shatner's Promise margarine ads, which aired around the time the sketch was made.]
   
 
==="''Star Trek'' V: The Restaurant ''Enterprise''"===
 
==="''Star Trek'' V: The Restaurant ''Enterprise''"===
Another parody was done in 1986 when William Shatner hosted. The ''Enterprise'' is bought by the Marriott corporation and turned into a seafood restaurant. The crew is threatened when [[Khan Noonien Singh|Khan]] brings a health inspector to the restaurant, though Kirk resolves the situation by slipping the inspector a bribe. Shatner, of course, played Kirk, Kevin Nealon played Spock, Phil Hartman played McCoy, Victoria Jackson played Janice Rand (now a waitress instead of a yeoman) and Dana Carvey played Khan and voiced Scotty.
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Another parody was done on December 20, 1986, when William Shatner hosted. The sketch, which posited what the plot of the [[Star Trek V: The Final Frontier|fifth movie]] might be, finds The ''Enterprise'' bought out by the Marriott corporation and turned into a seafood restaurant. The crew is threatened when [[Khan Noonien Singh]] brings a health inspector to the restaurant, though Kirk resolves the situation by slipping the inspector a bribe. Shatner, of course, played Kirk, {{w|Kevin Nealon}} played Spock, {{w|Phil Hartman}} played McCoy, {{w|Victoria Jackson}} played [[Janice Rand]] (now a waitress instead of a [[yeoman]]) and {{w|Dana Carvey}} played Khan and voiced Scotty and Chekov. SNL cast members Nora Dunn and Jan Hooks played patrons, as did comedian Kevin Meaney, who plays a choking victim who is saved by a "Vulcan Heimlich Pinch" delivered by Nealon's Spock.
   
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
SNL Rest Ent1.jpg|Phil Hartman and Kevin Nealon as McCoy and Spock
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SNL Rest Ent1.jpg|Phil Hartman and Kevin Nealon as McCoy and Spock (with Akira Yoshimura as Sulu on the far left and Kevin Meaney as the seated "choking patron")
SNL Rest Ent2.jpg|Shatner at the salad bar
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SNL Rest Ent2.jpg|Shatner at the salad bar (again with Yoshimura)
SNL Rest Ent3.jpg|Khan Singh, health inspector
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SNL Rest Ent3.jpg|Khan Noonian Singh & the health inspector
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
Perhaps the most memorable exchange is this one:
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Perhaps the most memorable exchange is this one, referring to Meaney's character:
 
:Kirk: "''Dr. McCoy, this man needs medical attention.''"
 
:Kirk: "''Dr. McCoy, this man needs medical attention.''"
 
:McCoy: "''Damnit, Jim, I'm a doctor, not a&#8212; oh, sure.''"
 
:McCoy: "''Damnit, Jim, I'm a doctor, not a&#8212; oh, sure.''"
   
 
Another memorable quote is as follows:
 
Another memorable quote is as follows:
:Spock: "''I find it curious Captain, that Khan was betrayed by the very health inspector he employed.''"
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:Spock: "''I find it curious, Captain, that Khan was betrayed by the very health inspector he employed.''"
 
:Kirk: "''Never underestimate the power of Human greed, Mr. Spock.''"
 
:Kirk: "''Never underestimate the power of Human greed, Mr. Spock.''"
 
:McCoy: "''What he's saying is that perhaps there are limitations to your vaunted Vulcan logic.''"
 
:McCoy: "''What he's saying is that perhaps there are limitations to your vaunted Vulcan logic.''"
 
:Spock: "''Dr. McCoy, would you do me the very great honor of eating my shorts?''"
 
:Spock: "''Dr. McCoy, would you do me the very great honor of eating my shorts?''"
 
:McCoy: "''What?!''"
 
:McCoy: "''What?!''"
:Kirk: "''Why Spock, I believe you're becoming more Human every time! Mr. Scott, full revolve!''"
+
:Kirk: "''Why Spock, I believe you're becoming more Human every time!''"
  +
:(Spock smiles & McCoy laughs, while Kirk flips open his communicator)
  +
:Kirk: "''Mr. Scott, full revolve!''"
   
 
==="Get a Life!" sketch===
 
==="Get a Life!" sketch===
The most infamous ''Star Trek'' sketch was also featured during Shatner's appearance on the show. Not so much a parody, it featured Shatner as the guest of honor at a ''Star Trek'' convention. After being asked a barrage of trivial questions by the audience, Shatner finally berates them to "get a life!", telling them it was only a TV show. After finishing his rant (and being reminded of his contractual obligations by the convention manager) Shatner quickly explains the rant was a reenactment of the "evil" Captain Kirk from {{e|The Enemy Within}}.
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The most infamous ''Star Trek'' sketch was also featured during Shatner's 1986 appearance on the show. Not so much a parody, it featured Shatner as the guest of honor at a ''Star Trek'' convention. After being asked a barrage of trivial questions by the audience, Shatner finally berates them to "get a life!", telling them it was only a TV show. After finishing his rant (and being reminded of his contractual obligations by the convention manager) Shatner quickly explains the rant was a reenactment of the "evil" Captain Kirk from {{e|The Enemy Within}}.
   
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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===''Star Trek'' Democrats===
 
===''Star Trek'' Democrats===
The cold open of the March 14, 1992 episode did a combined parody of Trekkies and American Presidential campaigns, as the remaining Democratic candidates, former California governor {{w|Jerry Brown}} (Dana Carvey), former Massachusetts Senator {{w|Paul Tsongas}} (Al Franken), and [[Bill Clinton]] (Phil Hartman), visit a Star Trek convention, hoping to sway the audience (led by Chris Farley and Mike Myers) to support them by telling them what great fans they are - but when told that Leonard Nimoy has endorsed Tsongas, Clinton breaks into a rage, screaming ''"He no better than Shatner!!!"'' and breaking the podium.
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The cold open of the March 14, 1992 episode did a combined parody of Trekkies and American Presidential campaigns, as the remaining Democratic candidates, former California governor {{w|Jerry Brown}} (Dana Carvey), former Massachusetts Senator {{w|Paul Tsongas}} ({{w|Al Franken}}), and [[Bill Clinton]] (Phil Hartman), visit a Star Trek convention, hoping to sway the audience (led by {{w|Chris Farley}} and {{w|Mike Myers}}) to support them by telling them what great fans they are - but when told that Leonard Nimoy has endorsed Tsongas, Clinton breaks into a rage, screaming ''"He no better than Shatner!!!"'' and breaking the podium.
   
 
==="Love Boat: The Next Generation"===
 
==="Love Boat: The Next Generation"===
[[File:LBTNGPicard&Data.jpg|thumb|[[Patrick Stewart]] and Rob Schneider]]
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[[File:Love Boat The Next Generation.jpg|thumb|[[Patrick Stewart]] and Rob Schneider]]
Yet another was done in 1994, when [[Patrick Stewart]] hosted, in a skit called "Love Boat: The Next Generation" (parodying both [[TNG]] and {{wt|The Love Boat}}). Essentially, it involved the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} crew running the "''Galaxy''-class Cruiseship Pacific Princess". (The sketch involved a model of the ''Enterprise''-D with a model cruise ship as part of the saucer section.)
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Yet another was done in 1994, when [[Patrick Stewart]] hosted, in a skit called "Love Boat: The Next Generation" (parodying both [[Star Trek: The Next Generation|TNG]] and {{wt|The Love Boat}}). Essentially, it involved the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}} crew running the "{{class|Galaxy}} Cruiseship Pacific Princess". (The sketch involved a model of the ''Enterprise''-D with a model cruise ship as part of the saucer section.) [http://www.reddit.com/r/startrek/comments/3nj897/the_entire_love_boat_tng_snl_skit_with_patrick]
   
Stewart, of course, played Captain Picard, Chris Farley played Riker, Rob Schneider played Data, Phil Hartman played Worf, Tim Meadows played La Forge (although he acts more like the character of Isaac from ''The Love Boat'', with his catchphrase, "outta sight!" a double entendre towards La Forge's blindness), Julia Sweeney as Deanna Troi, Ellen Cleghorne as Guinan (acting more like Whoopi Goldberg than the character), Melanie Hutsell as regular "Love Boat" guest star Charo, Al Franken as [[Tog]] the Ferengi (Charo's estranged boyfriend), Adam Sandler as David Brenner and David Spade as Joan Rivers. Instead of Dr. Crusher, however, the sketch featured a cameo by actor Bernie Kopell, reprising his role as Dr. Adam Bricker from ''The Love Boat''.
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Stewart, of course, played Captain [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]]. Chris Farley played [[William T. Riker|Riker]], {{w|Rob Schneider}} played [[Data]], Phil Hartman played [[Worf]], {{w|Tim Meadows}} played [[Geordi La Forge]] (although he acts more like the character of Isaac from ''The Love Boat'', with his catchphrase, "outta sight!" a double entendre towards La Forge's blindness), {{w|Julia Sweeney}} was [[Deanna Troi]], Ellen Cleghorne was [[Guinan]] (acting more like [[Whoopi Goldberg]] than the character), Melanie Hutsell was regular "Love Boat" guest star Charo, Al Franken was [[Tog]] the [[Ferengi]] (Charo's estranged boyfriend), {{w|Adam Sandler}} was David Brenner and {{w|David Spade}} was {{w|Joan Rivers}}. Instead of Dr. Crusher, however, the sketch featured a cameo by actor {{w|Bernie Kopell}}, reprising his role as Dr. Adam Bricker from ''The Love Boat''.
   
 
The show had also begun with a ''Trek'' spoof: Stewart's opening monologue had been a laughably inaccurate "tribute" to TOS. [http://snltranscripts.jt.org/93/93lmono.phtml]
 
The show had also begun with a ''Trek'' spoof: Stewart's opening monologue had been a laughably inaccurate "tribute" to TOS. [http://snltranscripts.jt.org/93/93lmono.phtml]
   
 
===''Rescue 911'' spoof===
 
===''Rescue 911'' spoof===
Another semi-parody, also aired in 1994 involved a spoof of ''Rescue 911'' which was hosted by William Shatner at the time. [[Michael McKean]] played Patrick Stewart, filling in for Shatner. Host Roseanne plays a 911 operator who keeps blowing off callers. The sketch also features a brief appearance and the end of the sketch by Tim Meadows as Geordi.
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Another semi-parody, also aired in 1994 involved a spoof of ''{{w|Rescue 911}}'' which was hosted by William Shatner at the time. [[Michael McKean]] played Patrick Stewart, filling in for Shatner. Host {{w|Roseanne Barr}} played a 911 operator who keeps blowing off callers. The sketch also featured a brief appearance and the end of the sketch by Tim Meadows as Geordi.
   
 
{{bginfo|As sort of a running gag, ''SNL'' production designer Akira Yoshimura played [[Hikaru Sulu|Sulu]] in all the above ''Trek'' parodies.}}
 
{{bginfo|As sort of a running gag, ''SNL'' production designer Akira Yoshimura played [[Hikaru Sulu|Sulu]] in all the above ''Trek'' parodies.}}
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  +
===Nerd Chatline===
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In a 2005 episode with guest host {{w|Paris Hilton}}, SNL featured a sketch spoofing erotic chatlines with an offer of "nerd chatlines" for fans of various franchises including ''[[Star Wars]]'', {{wt|Dungeons & Dragons}}, {{wt|Lord of the Rings}}, ''[[Doctor Who]]'', and ''Star Trek''.
  +
  +
The Star Trek part featured {{w|Maya Rudolph}} as Candy, with a "''massage license from [[Rigel VII]]''", wanting "''to go where no man has gone before''". Candy, dressed in a TOS [[operations division]] uniform, claimed that it was the time of the [[Vulcan]] mating season of ''[[Pon farr]]'' and that she wanted to do something [[logic]]al to the caller. She also stated that like the [[eel-bird]] of [[Regulus V]] she needed to find a mate or die. The caller, dressed in a TOS [[command division]] uniform, responded that he was "giving himself the [[Vulcan nerve pinch]]" and displayed the [[Vulcan salute]].
   
 
===Quinto, Pine, and Nimoy on 'Weekend Update'===
 
===Quinto, Pine, and Nimoy on 'Weekend Update'===
On the May 9, 2009 episode, [[Chris Pine]] and [[Zachary Quinto]] appeared on the ''Weekend Update'' segment of SNL. They tried to explain that the new film fit flawlessly into Star Trek canon, though two Trekkies in the audience (one wearing a red TOS-uniform shirt with [[commander]]'s stripes, the other a t-shirt with McCoy and Uhura and fake Vulcan ears) are clearly skeptical. Quinto, for instance, mentioned that the movie took the time to explain the origins of the [[Kolinahr]] ceremony as it is connected to the fascinating [[pon farr]] marriage ritual.
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On the May 9, 2009 episode, [[Chris Pine]] and [[Zachary Quinto]] appeared on the ''Weekend Update'' segment of ''SNL''. They tried to explain that the [[Star Trek (film)|new film]] fit flawlessly into Star Trek canon, though two Trekkies in the audience (one wearing a red TOS-uniform shirt with [[commander]]'s stripes, the other a t-shirt with McCoy and Uhura and fake Vulcan ears) are clearly skeptical. Quinto, for instance, mentioned that the movie took the time to explain the origins of the [[Kolinahr]] ceremony as it is connected to the fascinating pon farr marriage ritual.
   
 
Finally, however, after Pine attempts to explain how the transporter uses the [[Heisenberg compensator]], just as previous ''Trek'' transporters did, but is unable to pronounce "Heisenberg", they admitted they actually had no idea what they were talking about. They also mentioned having been harassed by angry fans and having received threats in a language they could not decipher - either Vulcan or Hebrew. Quinto mentioned having found decapitated action figures in his mailbox every morning, and Chris Pine complained about having received notes tied to rocks that were thrown at his windows, but only scratching them, not breaking them, since they didn't throw hard enough - all of which has resulted in death stares from the insulted Trekkies. Finally, they simply express hope that these fans will still come to see the movie.
 
Finally, however, after Pine attempts to explain how the transporter uses the [[Heisenberg compensator]], just as previous ''Trek'' transporters did, but is unable to pronounce "Heisenberg", they admitted they actually had no idea what they were talking about. They also mentioned having been harassed by angry fans and having received threats in a language they could not decipher - either Vulcan or Hebrew. Quinto mentioned having found decapitated action figures in his mailbox every morning, and Chris Pine complained about having received notes tied to rocks that were thrown at his windows, but only scratching them, not breaking them, since they didn't throw hard enough - all of which has resulted in death stares from the insulted Trekkies. Finally, they simply express hope that these fans will still come to see the movie.
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<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
SNL Weekend Update1.jpg|Quinto and Pine reach out to fans
 
SNL Weekend Update1.jpg|Quinto and Pine reach out to fans
SNL Weekend Update2.jpg|Kenan Thompson and Bobby Moynihan as disgruntled fans
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SNL Weekend Update2.jpg|{{w|Kenan Thompson}} and {{w|Bobby Moynihan}} as disgruntled fans
 
SNL Weekend Update3.jpg|Nimoy arrives to plead their case
 
SNL Weekend Update3.jpg|Nimoy arrives to plead their case
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
In the background, a rather familiar voice assures the two that "they will come", and [[Leonard Nimoy]] appears - at which point the two previously angered Trekkies are visibly overcome with joy (combining [[Vulcan salute]]s with a rather un-Vulcanlike display of emotion) - and states that in time Chris Pine will be accepted as equal to the original Kirk, while Zachary Quinto will be viewed as "slightly less" than equal to the original Spock, but "ultimately OK".
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In the background, a rather familiar voice assures the two that "they will come", and [[Leonard Nimoy]] appears - at which point the two previously angered Trekkies are visibly overcome with joy (combining Vulcan salutes with a rather un-Vulcan like display of emotion) - and states that in time Chris Pine will be accepted as equal to the original Kirk, while Zachary Quinto will be viewed as "slightly less" than equal to the original Spock, but "ultimately OK".
   
Nimoy attempts to assure Quinto that fans will like the movie because to not like it would not be "illogical" as host Seth Meyers suggests (having interrupted Nimoy, beaming at the idea of beating Spock himself to the logic-based punchline), but rather "would make them dickheads" - a sentiment that, coming from their hero, the Trekkies in the audience heartily accept. The appearance ends with Nimoy, Pine, and Meyers doing the Vulcan salute.
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Nimoy attempts to assure Quinto that fans will like the movie because to not like it would not be "illogical" as host {{w|Seth Meyers}} suggests (having interrupted Nimoy, beaming at the idea of beating Spock himself to the logic-based punchline), but rather "would make them dickheads" - a sentiment that, coming from their hero, the Trekkies in the audience heartily accept. The appearance ends with Nimoy, Pine, and Meyers doing the Vulcan salute.
   
 
===Worf, M.D.===
 
===Worf, M.D.===
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The skit was subsequently followed by a card paying tribute to Leonard Nimoy, who had died the preceding day.
 
The skit was subsequently followed by a card paying tribute to Leonard Nimoy, who had died the preceding day.
   
===Lost Episode===
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===Star Trek: The Lost Episode===
  +
[[File:Kirk_and_Spocko.jpg|thumb|Kirk and Spocko]]
Broadcast May 6, 2016, this sketch features host [[Chris Pine]] as Kirk Prime and is presented as a documentary by {{w|Neil deGrasse Tyson}} (Kenan Thompson) on a missing TOS episode. It depicts the introduction of Spocko, Spock's stereotypical Italian-American half-brother who was fathered by Sarek with a human hostess. Tyson closes out the sketch by remarking that at least it was better than {{film|5}}.
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Broadcast May 6, 2017, this sketch features host Chris Pine as Kirk (from TOS instead of the Kelvin timeline), and is presented as a documentary by [[Neil deGrasse Tyson]] (Kenan Thompson) on a missing TOS episode titled "Spock's Secret". It depicts the introduction of Spocko, Spock's stereotypical Italian-American half-brother who was fathered by [[Sarek]] with a Human hostess. Tyson closes out the sketch by remarking that at least it was better than {{film|5}}. (As with the sketches listed above, Akira Yoshimura once again plays Sulu in the sketch, although for the first time, he is not wearing glasses.)
   
===Other Mentions===
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===Other mentions===
On the October 12, 2013 episode, SNL spoofed both the film ''Gravity'' and the 2013 US government shutdown. In the skit, two astronauts lost in space contact NASA to find that the only remaining employees are two janitors. One of the janitors claims her son can help rescue the astronauts because he is always watching ''Star Trek: Deep Nine Space''.
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On the October 12, 2013 episode, ''SNL'' spoofed both the film {{wt|Gravity (2013 film)|Gravity}} and the {{w|2013 United States federal government shutdown|2013 US government shutdown}}. In the skit, two astronauts lost in space contact [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration|NASA]] to find that the only remaining employees are two [[janitor]]s. One of the janitors claims her son can help rescue the astronauts because he is always watching {{s|DS9}}.
  +
  +
In a November 2015 episode of ''SNL'', the show presented fictional auditions for the upcoming ''[[Star Wars]]'' movie ''Episode VII: The Force Awakens'', with an introduction by [[J.J. Abrams]]. One of those auditions featured cast member {{w|Leslie Jones}}, in [[Klingon]] makeup, reporting that the ship had entered the [[Neutral zone]], although the [[deflector shield|shield]]s were down to 12%. Jones was then informed her performance was Star ''Trek'', while the audition was for Star ''Wars''.
   
 
== ''Star Trek'' and SNL connections ==
 
== ''Star Trek'' and SNL connections ==
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| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 19)|Season 19}}
 
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 19)|Season 19}}
 
| 1993-94
 
| 1993-94
 
|-
  +
| [[Chris Hemsworth]]
  +
| [[George Kirk (alternate reality)]]
  +
| {{film|11}}
  +
| 2009
  +
| Host
  +
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 40)|Season 40, Episode 15}}<br/>{{w|Saturday Night Live (season 41)|Season 41, Episode 8}}
  +
| Mar 7, 2015<br/>Dec 12, 2015
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Michael McKean]]
 
| [[Michael McKean]]
Line 144: Line 164:
 
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 9)|Season 9, Episode 18}}<br/>{{w|Saturday Night Live (season 10)|Season 10, Episode 4}}<br/>Season 19-20
 
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 9)|Season 9, Episode 18}}<br/>{{w|Saturday Night Live (season 10)|Season 10, Episode 4}}<br/>Season 19-20
 
| Nov 3, 1984<br/>1994-95
 
| Nov 3, 1984<br/>1994-95
  +
|-
  +
| [[Benedict Cumberbatch]]
  +
| [[Khan Noonien Singh (alternate reality)]]
  +
| {{film|12}}
  +
| 2013
  +
| Host<br/>Cameo
  +
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 42)|Season 42, Episode 5}}<br/>{{w|Saturday Night Live (season 43)|Season 43, Episode 21}}
  +
| Nov 5, 2016<br/>May 19, 2018
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Bill Hader]]
 
| [[Bill Hader]]
Line 152: Line 180:
 
| Season 31-38
 
| Season 31-38
 
| 2005-2013
 
| 2005-2013
  +
|-
  +
| [[Chris Pine]]
  +
| [[James T. Kirk (alternate reality)]]
  +
| {{film|11}}<br/>{{film|12}}<br/>{{film|13}}
  +
| 2009<br/>2013<br/>2016
  +
| Cameo<br/>Host
  +
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 34)|Season 34, Episode 21}}<br/>{{w|Saturday Night Live (season 42)|Season 42, Episode 19}}
  +
| May 9, 2009<br/>May 6, 2017
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[William Shatner]]
 
| [[William Shatner]]
 
| [[James T. Kirk]]<br/>[[George Samuel Kirk]]<br/>Writer<br/>Director
 
| [[James T. Kirk]]<br/>[[George Samuel Kirk]]<br/>Writer<br/>Director
| {{s|1}}<br/>{{s|2}}<br/>{{film|1}}<br/>{{film|2}}<br/>{{film|3}}<br/>{{film|4}}<br/>{{film|5}}<br/>{{film|6}}
+
| {{s|TOS}}<br/>{{s|TAS}}<br/>{{film|1}}<br/>{{film|2}}<br/>{{film|3}}<br/>{{film|4}}<br/>{{film|5}}<br/>{{film|6}}<br/>{{film|7}}
  +
| 1966-1969<br/>1973-1974<br/>1979<br/>1982<br/>1984<br/>1986<br/>1989<br/>1991<br/>1994
|
 
 
| Host
 
| Host
 
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 12)|Season 12, Episode 8}}
 
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 12)|Season 12, Episode 8}}
Line 162: Line 198:
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[Patrick Stewart]]
 
| [[Patrick Stewart]]
| [[Jean-Luc Picard]]<br/>[[Michael Williams]]<br/>Director
+
| [[Jean-Luc Picard]]<br/>[[Locutus of Borg]]<br/>[[Michael Williams]]<br/>Director
| {{s|3}}<br/>{{DS9|Emissary}}<br/>{{film|7}}<br/>{{film|8}}<br/>{{film|9}}<br/>{{film|10}}
+
| {{s|TNG}}<br/>{{DS9|Emissary}}<br/>{{film|7}}<br/>{{film|8}}<br/>{{film|9}}<br/>{{film|10}}<br/>{{s|PIC}}
| 1987-94<br/>1996<br/>1998<br/>2002
+
| 1987-94<br/>1996<br/>1998<br/>2002<br/>2020-
 
| Host
 
| Host
 
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 19)|Season 19, Episode 12}}
 
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 19)|Season 19, Episode 12}}
Line 195: Line 231:
 
| [[Brandon Tartikoff]]
 
| [[Brandon Tartikoff]]
 
| Chairman of [[Paramount Pictures]]
 
| Chairman of [[Paramount Pictures]]
| {{s|4}} planning
+
| {{s|DS9}} planning
 
| 1991-92
 
| 1991-92
 
| NBC Network Executive<br/>Host<br/>Cameo
 
| NBC Network Executive<br/>Host<br/>Cameo
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| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 10)|Season 10, Episode 7}}
 
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 10)|Season 10, Episode 7}}
 
| Dec 1, 1984
 
| Dec 1, 1984
  +
|-
  +
| [[Idris Elba]]
  +
| [[Krall]]
  +
| {{film|13}}
  +
| 2016
  +
| Host
  +
| {{w|Saturday Night Live (season 44)|Season 44, Episode 15}}
  +
| Mar 9, 2019
 
|-
 
|-
 
| [[John Larroquette]]
 
| [[John Larroquette]]
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[[Roy Orbison]] and The [[Beastie Boys]], whose music has been played by ''Trek'' characters, have also appeared on SNL.
 
[[Roy Orbison]] and The [[Beastie Boys]], whose music has been played by ''Trek'' characters, have also appeared on SNL.
   
[[Teri Hatcher]], [[The Rock|Dwayne Johnson]] (twice as "The Rock", once as "Dwayne Johnson"), [[Kirsten Dunst]], [[Winona Ryder]] (Dunst and Ryder hosted consecutive episodes), and [[Seth MacFarlane]] have also hosted.
+
[[Teri Hatcher]], [[The Rock|Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson]] (once as "The Rock", four times as "Dwayne Johnson"), [[Kirsten Dunst]], [[Winona Ryder]] (Dunst and Ryder hosted consecutive episodes), and [[Seth MacFarlane]] have also hosted.
   
 
== External link ==
 
== External link ==

Revision as of 06:20, 4 February 2020

Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

Saturday Night Live, or SNL for short, is an American late-night television comedy show featuring various comedy sketches, involving both a regular cast and celebrity guests.

SNL has parodied Star Trek many times over the years in addition to appearances by many Trek actors. Since its beginning in October 1975, SNL is produced for, and airs on NBC, the network that had been the original broadcaster of Star Trek: The Original Series.

Sketches

"The Last Voyage of the Enterprise"

John Belushi, SNL Vulcan salute

John Belushi gives the Vulcan salute

SNL first featured a Star Trek parody in 1976 entitled "The Last Voyage of the Enterprise". It starred John Belushi as Captain Kirk, Chevy Chase as Spock, and Dan Aykroyd as Dr. McCoy and the voice of Scotty, with actress Doris Powell as Uhura and SNL set designer Akira Yoshimura in the first of several apperances on the show as Sulu. The premise of the skit finds the Enterprise being pursued through space by a 20th century automobile, "owned by a company that manufactured cookies" (a play on the fact that the full name of NBC--the network that airs SNL--is the National Broadcasting Company, whereas the "cookie company" in question is Nabisco, who's name is short for National BISCUIT Company). A passenger from the vehicle, NBC executive Herb Goodman (played by host Elliott Gould), boards the Enterprise and informs the actors that Star Trek has been cancelled. Goodman has his assistant Curtis (Garrett Morris) and an NBC stage crew break down the set, while Spock (now out of character as Leonard Nimoy and hysterically bemoaning his lost job, as quoted below) frantically wandering the set looking for his ear tips that Goodman has pulled off. McCoy, Uhura and Sulu (now also having broken character and speaking as DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols & George Takei) leave the set despondently. Kirk, sitting in his chair on the now-disassembled bridge, makes one final log entry (quoted below).

  • "Most peculiar, captain. I can only assume that they possess some sort of weapons deactivator, in which case I shall merely render him unconscious with my famous Vulcan nerve pinch." - Chevy Chase (as Spock)
  • "I don't believe it! God!!! Everybody I know loves the show when I see the show, huh? I have a contract! I have a contract! I want my... Where's my ears? I want my ears back! I want my ears back!" - Chevy Chase (as a breaking-character Leonard Nimoy)
  • "I'm a doctor, not a tailor, dammit." - Dan Aykroyd (as Dr. McCoy) [a parody of McCoy's famous phase "I'm a doctor, not a..."]
  • "Captain’s Log, final entry. We have tried to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before. And except for one television network, we have found intelligent life everywhere in the galaxy. Live long and prosper... Promise! Captain James T. Kirk, SC 937-0176 CEC." - John Belushi (as James T. Kirk) [NOTE: This is the above-mentioned final log entry depicted in the photo at right; it references Shatner's Promise margarine ads, which aired around the time the sketch was made.]

"Star Trek V: The Restaurant Enterprise"

Another parody was done on December 20, 1986, when William Shatner hosted. The sketch, which posited what the plot of the fifth movie might be, finds The Enterprise bought out by the Marriott corporation and turned into a seafood restaurant. The crew is threatened when Khan Noonien Singh brings a health inspector to the restaurant, though Kirk resolves the situation by slipping the inspector a bribe. Shatner, of course, played Kirk, Kevin Nealon played Spock, Phil Hartman played McCoy, Victoria Jackson played Janice Rand (now a waitress instead of a yeoman) and Dana Carvey played Khan and voiced Scotty and Chekov. SNL cast members Nora Dunn and Jan Hooks played patrons, as did comedian Kevin Meaney, who plays a choking victim who is saved by a "Vulcan Heimlich Pinch" delivered by Nealon's Spock.

Perhaps the most memorable exchange is this one, referring to Meaney's character:

Kirk: "Dr. McCoy, this man needs medical attention."
McCoy: "Damnit, Jim, I'm a doctor, not a— oh, sure."

Another memorable quote is as follows:

Spock: "I find it curious, Captain, that Khan was betrayed by the very health inspector he employed."
Kirk: "Never underestimate the power of Human greed, Mr. Spock."
McCoy: "What he's saying is that perhaps there are limitations to your vaunted Vulcan logic."
Spock: "Dr. McCoy, would you do me the very great honor of eating my shorts?"
McCoy: "What?!"
Kirk: "Why Spock, I believe you're becoming more Human every time!"
(Spock smiles & McCoy laughs, while Kirk flips open his communicator)
Kirk: "Mr. Scott, full revolve!"

"Get a Life!" sketch

The most infamous Star Trek sketch was also featured during Shatner's 1986 appearance on the show. Not so much a parody, it featured Shatner as the guest of honor at a Star Trek convention. After being asked a barrage of trivial questions by the audience, Shatner finally berates them to "get a life!", telling them it was only a TV show. After finishing his rant (and being reminded of his contractual obligations by the convention manager) Shatner quickly explains the rant was a reenactment of the "evil" Captain Kirk from "The Enemy Within".

The scene apparently caused some fans to believe these were his true feeling for Star Trek fans, though he has assured them it was only a sketch. The sketch did, however, inspire the title for his book Get a Life!

In the intro to this edition of SNL, Shatner quipped that he hopes the Trekkies out there have a sense of humor or "I'm in deep trouble!"

Star Trek Democrats

The cold open of the March 14, 1992 episode did a combined parody of Trekkies and American Presidential campaigns, as the remaining Democratic candidates, former California governor Jerry Brown (Dana Carvey), former Massachusetts Senator Paul Tsongas (Al Franken), and Bill Clinton (Phil Hartman), visit a Star Trek convention, hoping to sway the audience (led by Chris Farley and Mike Myers) to support them by telling them what great fans they are - but when told that Leonard Nimoy has endorsed Tsongas, Clinton breaks into a rage, screaming "He no better than Shatner!!!" and breaking the podium.

"Love Boat: The Next Generation"

Love Boat The Next Generation

Patrick Stewart and Rob Schneider

Yet another was done in 1994, when Patrick Stewart hosted, in a skit called "Love Boat: The Next Generation" (parodying both TNG and The Love Boat). Essentially, it involved the USS Enterprise-D crew running the "Galaxy-class Cruiseship Pacific Princess". (The sketch involved a model of the Enterprise-D with a model cruise ship as part of the saucer section.) [1]

Stewart, of course, played Captain Picard. Chris Farley played Riker, Rob Schneider played Data, Phil Hartman played Worf, Tim Meadows played Geordi La Forge (although he acts more like the character of Isaac from The Love Boat, with his catchphrase, "outta sight!" a double entendre towards La Forge's blindness), Julia Sweeney was Deanna Troi, Ellen Cleghorne was Guinan (acting more like Whoopi Goldberg than the character), Melanie Hutsell was regular "Love Boat" guest star Charo, Al Franken was Tog the Ferengi (Charo's estranged boyfriend), Adam Sandler was David Brenner and David Spade was Joan Rivers. Instead of Dr. Crusher, however, the sketch featured a cameo by actor Bernie Kopell, reprising his role as Dr. Adam Bricker from The Love Boat.

The show had also begun with a Trek spoof: Stewart's opening monologue had been a laughably inaccurate "tribute" to TOS. [2]

Rescue 911 spoof

Another semi-parody, also aired in 1994 involved a spoof of Rescue 911 which was hosted by William Shatner at the time. Michael McKean played Patrick Stewart, filling in for Shatner. Host Roseanne Barr played a 911 operator who keeps blowing off callers. The sketch also featured a brief appearance and the end of the sketch by Tim Meadows as Geordi.

As sort of a running gag, SNL production designer Akira Yoshimura played Sulu in all the above Trek parodies.

Nerd Chatline

In a 2005 episode with guest host Paris Hilton, SNL featured a sketch spoofing erotic chatlines with an offer of "nerd chatlines" for fans of various franchises including Star Wars, Dungeons & Dragons, Lord of the Rings, Doctor Who, and Star Trek.

The Star Trek part featured Maya Rudolph as Candy, with a "massage license from Rigel VII", wanting "to go where no man has gone before". Candy, dressed in a TOS operations division uniform, claimed that it was the time of the Vulcan mating season of Pon farr and that she wanted to do something logical to the caller. She also stated that like the eel-bird of Regulus V she needed to find a mate or die. The caller, dressed in a TOS command division uniform, responded that he was "giving himself the Vulcan nerve pinch" and displayed the Vulcan salute.

Quinto, Pine, and Nimoy on 'Weekend Update'

On the May 9, 2009 episode, Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto appeared on the Weekend Update segment of SNL. They tried to explain that the new film fit flawlessly into Star Trek canon, though two Trekkies in the audience (one wearing a red TOS-uniform shirt with commander's stripes, the other a t-shirt with McCoy and Uhura and fake Vulcan ears) are clearly skeptical. Quinto, for instance, mentioned that the movie took the time to explain the origins of the Kolinahr ceremony as it is connected to the fascinating pon farr marriage ritual.

Finally, however, after Pine attempts to explain how the transporter uses the Heisenberg compensator, just as previous Trek transporters did, but is unable to pronounce "Heisenberg", they admitted they actually had no idea what they were talking about. They also mentioned having been harassed by angry fans and having received threats in a language they could not decipher - either Vulcan or Hebrew. Quinto mentioned having found decapitated action figures in his mailbox every morning, and Chris Pine complained about having received notes tied to rocks that were thrown at his windows, but only scratching them, not breaking them, since they didn't throw hard enough - all of which has resulted in death stares from the insulted Trekkies. Finally, they simply express hope that these fans will still come to see the movie.

In the background, a rather familiar voice assures the two that "they will come", and Leonard Nimoy appears - at which point the two previously angered Trekkies are visibly overcome with joy (combining Vulcan salutes with a rather un-Vulcan like display of emotion) - and states that in time Chris Pine will be accepted as equal to the original Kirk, while Zachary Quinto will be viewed as "slightly less" than equal to the original Spock, but "ultimately OK".

Nimoy attempts to assure Quinto that fans will like the movie because to not like it would not be "illogical" as host Seth Meyers suggests (having interrupted Nimoy, beaming at the idea of beating Spock himself to the logic-based punchline), but rather "would make them dickheads" - a sentiment that, coming from their hero, the Trekkies in the audience heartily accept. The appearance ends with Nimoy, Pine, and Meyers doing the Vulcan salute.

Worf, M.D.

On the February 28, 2015 episode, there is a skit featuring cast member Kenan Thompson as a doctor attempting to get closer to his wife -- a Trekkie -- by attending Star Trek conventions. He later goes straight from the convention to go and operate on a man while still dressed up as Lt. Worf. After various other off-color gags, he ends up causing the patient to go into cardiac arrest and die due to being unable to have the other doctors look at him with a straight face or without laughing at his ridiculous costume. It ends with NBC announcing a new show called "Worf M.D."

The skit was subsequently followed by a card paying tribute to Leonard Nimoy, who had died the preceding day.

Star Trek: The Lost Episode

Kirk and Spocko

Kirk and Spocko

Broadcast May 6, 2017, this sketch features host Chris Pine as Kirk (from TOS instead of the Kelvin timeline), and is presented as a documentary by Neil deGrasse Tyson (Kenan Thompson) on a missing TOS episode titled "Spock's Secret". It depicts the introduction of Spocko, Spock's stereotypical Italian-American half-brother who was fathered by Sarek with a Human hostess. Tyson closes out the sketch by remarking that at least it was better than Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. (As with the sketches listed above, Akira Yoshimura once again plays Sulu in the sketch, although for the first time, he is not wearing glasses.)

Other mentions

On the October 12, 2013 episode, SNL spoofed both the film Gravity and the 2013 US government shutdown. In the skit, two astronauts lost in space contact NASA to find that the only remaining employees are two janitors. One of the janitors claims her son can help rescue the astronauts because he is always watching Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

In a November 2015 episode of SNL, the show presented fictional auditions for the upcoming Star Wars movie Episode VII: The Force Awakens, with an introduction by J.J. Abrams. One of those auditions featured cast member Leslie Jones, in Klingon makeup, reporting that the ship had entered the Neutral zone, although the shields were down to 12%. Jones was then informed her performance was Star Trek, while the audition was for Star Wars.

Star Trek and SNL connections

Actor Star Trek role Star Trek
episode(s)/film(s)
Date SNL role SNL episode(s) Date
George Coe Chancellor Avel Durken TNG: "First Contact" 1991 Cast member Season 1 1975
Charles Rocket Jippeq VOY: "The Disease" 1999 Cast member Season 6 1980-81
Joe Piscopo "The Comic" TNG: "The Outrageous Okona" 1988 Cast member Season 6-9 1980-84
Sarah Silverman Rain Robinson VOY: "Future's End", "Future's End, Part II" 1996 Writer
Cast member
Season 19 1993-94
Chris Hemsworth George Kirk (alternate reality) Star Trek 2009 Host Season 40, Episode 15
Season 41, Episode 8
Mar 7, 2015
Dec 12, 2015
Michael McKean The Clown VOY: "The Thaw" 1996 Musical guest (as part of Spinal Tap)
Host
Cast member
Season 9, Episode 18
Season 10, Episode 4
Season 19-20
Nov 3, 1984
1994-95
Benedict Cumberbatch Khan Noonien Singh (alternate reality) Star Trek Into Darkness 2013 Host
Cameo
Season 42, Episode 5
Season 43, Episode 21
Nov 5, 2016
May 19, 2018
Bill Hader USS Vengeance Computer Voice Star Trek Into Darkness 2013 Cast member Season 31-38 2005-2013
Chris Pine James T. Kirk (alternate reality) Star Trek
Star Trek Into Darkness
Star Trek Beyond
2009
2013
2016
Cameo
Host
Season 34, Episode 21
Season 42, Episode 19
May 9, 2009
May 6, 2017
William Shatner James T. Kirk
George Samuel Kirk
Writer
Director
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek: The Animated Series
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Star Trek Generations
1966-1969
1973-1974
1979
1982
1984
1986
1989
1991
1994
Host Season 12, Episode 8 Dec 20, 1986
Patrick Stewart Jean-Luc Picard
Locutus of Borg
Michael Williams
Director
Star Trek: The Next Generation
DS9: "Emissary"
Star Trek Generations
Star Trek: First Contact
Star Trek: Insurrection
Star Trek Nemesis
Star Trek: Picard
1987-94
1996
1998
2002
2020-
Host Season 19, Episode 12 Feb 5, 1994
Teri Garr Roberta Lincoln TOS: "Assignment: Earth" 1968 Host Season 5, Episode 9 Jan 26, 1980
Malcolm McDowell Tolian Soran Star Trek Generations 1994 Host Season 6, Episode 2 Nov 22, 1980
Sally Kellerman Elizabeth Dehner TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before" 1966 Host Season 6, Episode 9 Feb 7, 1981
Brandon Tartikoff Chairman of Paramount Pictures Star Trek: Deep Space Nine planning 1991-92 NBC Network Executive
Host
Cameo
Season 9, Episode 1
Episode 11
Oct 8, 1983
Jan 28, 1984
Ed Begley, Jr. Henry Starling VOY: "Future's End", "Future's End, Part II" 1996 Host Season 10, Episode 7 Dec 1, 1984
Idris Elba Krall Star Trek Beyond 2016 Host Season 44, Episode 15 Mar 9, 2019
John Larroquette Maltz Star Trek III: The Search for Spock June 1, 1984 Host Season 12, Episode 17
Season 14, Episode 3
Apr 18, 1987
Oct 22, 1988
Corbin Bernsen Q2 TNG: "Deja Q" 1990 Host Season 15, Episode 17 Apr 14, 1990
Kirstie Alley Saavik Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan June 4, 1984 Host Season 17, Episode 3
Season 18, Episode 18
Oct 12, 1991
Apr 17, 1993
Christian Slater Night-duty officer Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Dec 6, 1991 Host Season 17, Episode 4 Oct 26, 1991
Jason Alexander Kurros VOY: "Think Tank" 1999 Host Season 18, Episode 17 Apr 10, 1993
Kelsey Grammer Morgan Bateson TNG: "Cause and Effect" 1992 Cameo
Host
Season 17, Episode 3
Season 19, Episode 17
Season 24, Episode 2
Oct 12, 1991
Apr 9, 1994
Oct 3, 1998
Jane Wiedlin Trillya Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home Nov 26, 1986 Musical guest (as part of The Go-Gos) Season 7, Episode 6 Nov 14, 1981
Vanessa Williams Arandis DS9: "Let He Who Is Without Sin..." 1996 Musical guest Season 24, Episode 9 Dec 12, 1998
Tom Morello Son'a officer
Mitchell
Star Trek: Insurrection
VOY: "Good Shepherd"
Dec 11, 1998
2000
Musical guest (as part of Rage Against The Machine) Season 21, Episode 17 Apr 13, 1996

Roy Orbison and The Beastie Boys, whose music has been played by Trek characters, have also appeared on SNL.

Teri Hatcher, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson (once as "The Rock", four times as "Dwayne Johnson"), Kirsten Dunst, Winona Ryder (Dunst and Ryder hosted consecutive episodes), and Seth MacFarlane have also hosted.

External link