Daily Affirmation: Michael Jordan

Stuart Smalley (Al Franken) hosts his public access cable show "Daily Affirmation with Stuart Smalley," where he offers emotional support and self-help wisdom to guests. In this episode, his surprise guest is NBA superstar Michael Jordan. The comedy hinges on the absurdity of the situation: Jordan — at the peak of his powers, fresh off his first NBA championship — has no apparent need for emotional reinforcement, yet he gamely participates in Stuart's rituals. Stuart reads Jordan's name off a notecard while announcing he'll "protect his anonymity," leads him through mirror affirmations ("I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonit, people like me"), and dispenses affirmations tailored to basketball ("I don't have to dribble the ball fast, or throw the ball into the basket"). Jordan plays it completely straight, barely suppressing laughter, while the hopelessly unqualified Smalley earnestly guides him through exercises he patently doesn't need. The sketch closes on a warm and surprisingly touching note, with both men affirming each other.

This is the Season 17 premiere of SNL (09/28/1991), with Michael Jordan as host. Jordan had just won his first NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls in June 1991. Jordan wears an Air Jordan branded shirt during the sketch. Audience reaction is notably enthusiastic; Jordan visibly struggles to keep a straight face near the end. Al Franken's Stuart Smalley character later spawned the 1995 film "Stuart Saves His Family." According to YouTube comments, after the sketch aired live, Franken thanked Jordan on-stage in an unscripted moment that was later cut from rebroadcasts.