In a humorous nod to the superhero genre, Saturday Night Live’s Season 4 featured Margot Kidder, renowned for her portrayal of Lois Lane, hosting a comedic sketch titled “Superhero Party” on March 17, 1979. This sketch capitalized on the popularity of the 1978 Superman film, which starred Kidder opposite Christopher Reeve.
In a playful twist, Bill Murray took on the dual role of Superman, alongside Kidder as Lois Lane, as the couple hosted a gathering for an array of beloved superheroes. The star-studded guest list included familiar faces like Dan Aykroyd as The Flash, Gilda Radner as Beverly, Jane Curtin as Lana Lang, and John Belushi embodying The Hulk, with Laraine Newman as his girlfriend, Cookie. The sketch cleverly integrated characters from both DC and Marvel, showcasing superheroes such as Ant-Man, portrayed by Garrett Morris, and other famous figures like Spider-Man and the Invisible Girl, creating plenty of comedic moments.
Kidder’s Lois Lane, disillusioned with her husband’s repetitive antics due to his x-ray vision, expressed her desire for more excitement at their party, particularly hoping to see her friend Clark Kent attend. Meanwhile, the assembled heroes engaged in amusing interactions, highlighting their quirks and rivalries, such as Hulk stumbling into the bathroom where the Invisible Girl was and a humorous roast aimed at Ant-Man by The Flash and Hulk.
Interestingly, the sketch foreshadowed the future rise in popularity of Ant-Man, culminating in a film franchise where Paul Rudd, a frequent SNL host, took the iconic role nearly four decades later. A sentimental homage to this sketch occurred when Morris made a cameo in Rudd’s Ant-Man film as a taxi driver.
The legacy of both Kidder’s and Reeve’s involvement in SNL continued to resonate, as Reeve himself hosted the show in 1985, appearing in another memorable sketch titled “Superman Auditions.” This sketch showcased a mock casting call for the superhero role, featuring unique comedic elements that highlighted the absurdity of the audition process.
This lighthearted approach to superheroes remains a testament to SNL’s ability to blend humor with pop culture, marking a significant moment in television history that continues to inspire laughter and nostalgia.