Madonna

Broadcast note

Segment 1 — Drug Testing: This segment is removed in reruns. To fill time, "Critic" is removed, and a Simple Minds performance of "Sanctify Yourself" from dress rehearsal is shown later in the episode.

Cameo

Brandon Tartikoff appears in the broadcast.

Musical Cameo

Sue Hadjopoulos appears in the broadcast.

Filmed Cameos

Tony LaFortezza, John Simon appear in the broadcast.

Voice Cameo

John Henry Kurtz appears in the broadcast.

Broadcast note

Segment 4 — National Inquirer Theatre: An opening voiceover is added in reruns.

Broadcast note

Segment 4 — National Inquirer Theatre: In reruns, one of Jon Lovitz's responses is replaced with the dress rehearsal version.

Broadcast note

Segment 5 — Pinklisting: In reruns, part of Terry Sweeney's entrance dialogue is removed.

Broadcast note

Segment 8 — The Jones Brothers: Don Pardo's voiceover is replaced in reruns. In the live show, he refers to the characters as "Two Junkies".

Broadcast note

Segment 9 — Weekend Update: In reruns, the opening title graphic is changed, and applause is added. In the live show, there is no audience response after Don Pardo's voiceover, and Dennis Miller ad-libs "Thank you Don Pardo for whipping them into a frenzy."

Broadcast note

Segment 10 — El Spectaculare De Marika: In reruns, feedback from Madonna's microphone is removed.

Episode archive note

In reruns, the opening montage is replaced with the one that premiered on 12.14.1985, and the guest and bumper photos are restyled.

Special Guest

Penn & Teller appears in the broadcast.

Recurring-sketch debut

The Limits of the Imagination makes its first appearance.

Production milestone

Lorne Michaels returns as executive producer after five seasons away and appears with NBC executive Brandon Tartikoff in the cold opening.

Cast debut

Joan Cusack, Robert Downey Jr., Nora Dunn, Anthony Michael Hall, Jon Lovitz, Dennis Miller, Randy Quaid, Terry Sweeney, Danitra Vance and Damon Wayans make their first cast appearances.

Weekend Update milestone

The news segment resumes the Weekend Update name, with Dennis Miller becoming its anchor.