The Killer Bees: Home Invasion

1 Star, 1. Poor: Lacks any coherent humor or appeal, failing completely to engage or amuse the audience.2 Stars, 2. Weak: This sketch has few redeeming qualities, with humor that falls flat and performances that don't deliver.3 Stars, 3. Below Average: Lacks consistent laughs, with uneven pacing or humor that doesn't quite land.4 Stars, 4. Average: An ordinary sketch with some humor, but it struggles to leave a lasting impression.5 Stars, 5. Above Average: Decent overall with enough humor to keep it engaging, but not particularly memorable.6 Stars, 6. Good: Solidly entertaining with some great moments, though it may lack some flair to make it standout.7 Stars, 7. Very Good: This sketch has notable humor and creativity, making it a strong and enjoyable watch.8 Stars, 8. Great: Very entertaining with consistent laughs and clever writing that impresses and delights.9 Stars, 9. Excellent: Exceptionally funny and well-crafted, this sketch captures perfect comedic timing and strong performances.10 Stars, 10. Masterpiece: This sketch is a comedic gem, delivering unparalleled laughter and originality that's unforgettable.

South American Killer Bees, dressed in yellow and black horizontal striped costumes with wings and springy antennae, invade the home of a couple to demand pollen. The sketch takes a meta turn when the camera appears to malfunction and stays on the wrong shot. This leads to the cast breaking character and showing a behind-the-scenes look at the SNL set, including Lorne Michaels appearing on-camera for the first time to confront a drunk director Dave Wilson in the control room. The sketch also includes a running storyline throughout the episode where Gilda Radner's character professes her love for host Elliott Gould, culminating with them getting married at the end of the show. Gilda also introduces Elliott to her mother (played by Paula Kahn) during the sketch.

This was Lorne Michaels' first on-camera appearance on SNL. The Killer Bees were SNL's first recurring characters, appearing 11 times in Season 1. According to Lorne Michaels, NBC's only note on the first episode was "Cut the bees," so he made sure to include them in subsequent shows. This episode won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series.