The Contestant - SNL

Ed Grimley (Martin Short) auditions to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. [Season 10, 1984]
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[@drowningpooralice5505]

I've always found this character to be really wholesome, he finds near bliss through the simplest human endeavors.

[@bensorkin7842]

I like how it had such a surprisingly sweet and wholesome ending.

[@esseen100]

"Let's not talk for a while..."😂

[@juanignaciocaino]

To me they're both dead in the end...

[@fraserdunn8563]

​@@juanignaciocainoBoth dead?! Why do you say that? I will await your response.

[@juanignaciocaino]

@@fraserdunn8563 if you come to think about it, one lands on top of the other, in my view their ghosts go for a coffee, the "lets not talk for a while" rivets it for me

[@higherpower5398]

@@fraserdunn8563did that guy not jump from the window?

[@EgonSupreme]

I wasn't expecting this. That's like... a real character. It's not just a goof off, just a high concept weirdness. It's a whole character. You get the feeling he has an inner life, that he's a real person for how weird as he is.

[@DC_ABC_123]

You should find the cartoon

[@joeyhunter842]

Uh ok

[@cgarrou9855]

Snl people used to give a shit about art ;) now theyre just bad activists

[@BradiKal61]

He developed the character for standup comedy and refined it on Second City Television SCTV.

[@57highland]

Yes, Ed was a real person, with incredible depth.

[@kathlynterry8196]

One of my favorite characters ever. He even plays the triangle.

[@whyyeseyec]

Hey, the triangle is an often overlooked instrument. It ranks just a bit below the cowbell....... of which we can always use more.

[@basilmarasco1975]

He's a virtuoso on the triangle. And dances while he plays!

[@teariet.tekken-wolffenn5881]

I love Ed Grimley since I've been a lil girl. In Colombia, we had the cartoon in the mornings. I would hog the tv for myself. I loved to see him playing the triangle, dancing, walking with his grandpa outfit and his spiky hair. Such a sweet, sweet character.

[@kathlynterry8196]

@@teariet.tekken-wolffenn5881 I must say!

[@Boertje247]

38 years later, still hilariously funny and dear and sweet. Ed Grimley is going to be on Wheel of Fortune, I must say! It’s going to make me mental!

[@MD-wk3gj]

Ed is the sweetest of all SNL characters.

[@d.s7741]

the first time I saw Ed Grimley do his dance, I new nobody could ever top that!

[@katiezee2]

@@d.s7741 I recall at the time, telling my mom about the character and premise, because she was a W.O.F. fan but totally in the dark about SNL. So I did the Ed Grimley dance, she just stared at me, then said you're weird. She didn't Get It at all. ahaha

[@d.s7741]

@@katiezee2 - l.o.l. ANYONE who even attempts to do that dance has to have a great sense of humor. It would be funny if a group of people made a video all doing the Ed Grimley dance one at a time.

[@singtweetypie]

I saw 'Ed Grimley' at Second City in Toronto in 1977, long before SCTV and SNL. I just loved him immediately. You're right he was sweet and so goofy. His dance was hilarious. Love Martin Short!

[@basilmarasco3147]

This world needs more Ed Grimleys.

[@infinitejest441]

I really must say 😂

[@ZeroESG.goopootoob]

Hope, no easy axe to grind, and humor... a tall order, well served. Beautiful.

[@trust5977]

Martin Short is brilliant. He always has been brilliant and remains forever brilliant to this day.

[@zparklebugz424]

Martin is one of the main stars of OMITB which is one of the top rated shows today... So after all these years he's STILL relevant!💖

[@trust5977]

@@zparklebugz424 I love “Only Murders.” Short is terrific as Oliver Putnam.

[@robbass6659]

I must say!

[@walterwhite1]

A LEGEND!

[@jennifer97363]

The hand on the hip and that skip crack me up....every single thing Ed says and does cracks me up actually😂

[@BlanketMan]

As a big SCTV fan in the early 80s, I was excited when Martin Short was added to the SNL cast, and it was great when he brought Ed Grimley with him! I was bummed that he only stuck around for one season; the man was made for sketch comedy.

[@zengreen7]

I must agree errr say.

[@alexhimar997]

Thus sucks

[@BrianRoberson-k7g]

He was replaced by Terry Sweeney.

[@Electric62Kid]

This is probably one of my favorite snl skits I must saaayyy.

[@kabooby0]

It's great to see that they're actually acting and not just staring blankly at cue cards.

[@HELENGodLoves]

🎉🎉

[@2MANYWWWWWWWWWWWWS4U]

0:20 BOOM!!!! mic

[@danishhald]

2MANYWWWWWWWWWWWWS4U Yeah! Wtf was that about.

[@evie541]

haha

[@LadyVoldemort]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jimb.7523]

I love he just continues with his act like nothing happened. lol

[@gremmiehodad]

That's how it got its name!

[@yukon065]

Ed Grimley was Martin Short's best character, ever!

[@esseen100]

He seemed like a pretty decent guy I must say..

[@sdradiojoe]

Kinda leaning towards Jiminy Glick myself

[@jondunmore4268]

Well, actually, Jiminy Glick was.

[@Guru4theConfused]

Joel Osteen may be his best character yet... Lol.

[@ToddBurge]

@@sdradiojoesame

[@41bmc]

I loved SNL back in the 80s and 90s and Martin Short is hilarious (I must say). He's mental!

[@jerrygil1965]

Yep, SNL stopped being funny in the mid 2000s

[@jasonsmith530]

@@jerrygil1965so did Hollywood comedies

[@frenchjr25]

Fantastic! It's amazing how memorizing your lines can make a significant difference in a performance on SNL.

[@stevenclark4176]

William French My god, been saying that forever. This Teleprompter shit makes me mental, I must say.

[@frenchjr25]

@Jerry Booth Could be. I think part of that also has to do with lines changing at the last minute. BUT shows like 'The Jackie Gleason Show' were done live, scripts were changed at the last minute, and the cast memorized their lines. This clip was simply refreshing. It a pleasure seeing a real artist as work and no laser focused on cue cards.

[@irfankhan2378]

Indeed. Martin Short almost had a monologue out of his memory.

[@JT_WARCRIME]

Pretty sure he's adlibbing quite a bit

[@ZoeCalico]

One of the biggest things about it for me is that when he stumbles his words it makes it sound like a normal guy tripping over his tongue, rather than an actor forgetting a line and correcting it (2:16)

[@daniellenichols9757]

One of my all time favorite characters..... Ed Grimley got his own Saturday cartoon because of how beloved he was!

[@jennifer97363]

Ed Grimley is my all-time favourite character. Just cracks me up every time.

[@canaisyoung3601]

Fun fact: Martin Short's Ed Grimley character is the only character from both Saturday Night Live and SCTV to have his own Saturday morning cartoon.

[@NTAD]

Those completely mental misadventures.

[@FlamingoKicker]

What about Count Floyd? OK, it wasn't really Count Floyd's show (he was just a small part)

[@looneytoon76]

Also a couple SCTV characters appeared on episodes of John Candy's cartoon Camp Candy (Doctor Tongue, Bobby Bittman, and I think the Schmenge Bros.)

[@Transmedal2]

Whats the name of the cartoon. I imagine it being almost like the ace vanture cartoon

[@Transmedal2]

@@looneytoon76 a coneheads cartoon too!! Why oh why didnt that take off

[@maineboy1979]

That's a very decent sketch I must say!

[@Bethe509]

Too funny! 😂😂

[@jamndunk]

Dark, actually.

[@57highland]

It makes me mental every time I watch it!

[@WhatsWongNow]

@@jamndunk: Until it has a happy ending. I was actually relieved by that.

[@LtheDetective]

That stand up and head hitting the mic tho 🤣

[@gispel7058]

Yeah it's a goof....the old bump your head on the boom mic goof. 🤷

[@fergusof]

What a beautiful ending. Also, Martin Short is such a great actor: Ed Grimley, Jiminy Glick.

[@infinitejest441]

Nathan Thurm 😂

[@KpxUrz5745]

Pure comedic genius and originality. Beyond genius, I must say...

[@Transmedal2]

The microphone being in the way was the funniest part of the bit lol

[@denniscoffey117]

High Ceilings can be vey effective. I must say! All ad libbed. Marty, you're the best!

[@robertcuminale1212]

I thought the guy was going to hang the note on the microphone at first.

[@NxDoyle]

Even though I'm aware that comedy is subjective, I still feel very confident in saying, "No, it wasn't."

[@NimW]

Well, given it was the only funny part...

[@albertorkenbjorken]

Honestly.. I agree

[@manueltubens535]

I loved to Ed grimley dancing with the triangle.

[@kellyjohnson3617]

It wasn’t the best year for SNL but the three actors in this seen are brilliant and went on to so many wonderful projects that showed off their talents. Martin short, christopher guest and Julia Louis Dreyfus went on to have amazing careers and do hysterically funny projects.

[@esseen100]

As funny as this may sound, I think this☝🏿was the best season and cast.

[@raheemhamilton8624]

@@esseen100 it was

[@jondunmore4268]

and Chris Farley's dad in the elevator

[@Zamarae]

@@jondunmore4268 What really???

[@theBaron0530]

Christopher Guest.

[@ghordibarifilms]

Jaleel White said he got the inspiration for Steve Urkel from Ed Grimley. Facts

[@zeroswings2]

Hmm I can see that actually...

[@cartooncentral263]

That explains a lot. Especially the way the dress.

[@jasonforte409]

Yep reading his bio now and he mentions that. 💯

[@yes0r787]

I just love Martin Short, he just seems to be such a very decent kind of guy. You know?

[@seanmccarthy8755]

For any new writers, this is the epitome of a great SNL skit: memorable/relatable characters, a "beginning - middle - and end" - and just enough over-the-top weirdness without going overboard.

[@lynnie6633]

He's hysterical. And those pants.....THOSE PANTS!!!!! I love it.

[@marciamorris6626]

Ed Grimly is the best character ever on SNL for me .

[@barbarafogle3541]

I would have to disagree and say there were a lot of good one I must say. My favorite was the church lady or George Bush by Dana Carvey

[@barbarafogle3541]

I would have to disagree and say there were a lot of good one I must say. My favorite was the church lady or George Bush by Dana Carvey

[@barbarafogle3541]

I would have to disagree and say there were a lot of good one I must say. My favorite was the church lady or George Bush by Dana Carvey.

[@barbarafogle3541]

I would have to disagree and say there were a lot of good one I must say. My favorite was the church lady or George Bush by Dana Carvey.

[@bluediamond2999]

This was wholesome.

[@mariaquiet6211]

You know, except for the suicide attempt.

[@57highland]

Watching this two days before Christmas is making me mental for the holidays ...

[@bluepandaman]

Man, nobody has had this kind of energy on SNL in a looong time.

[@sydposting]

I feel like Sarah Sherman is quite the contender these days!

[@Lewis9700]

Or this kind of talent

[@ktkt1825]

Martin Short still has wonderful energy, an incredible wit, and wide range of talents. He's done well with it- deservedly so.

[@Mikeyboy51866]

​@@ktkt1825 When Martin did Jiminy Glick interviewing Bill Maher on Real Time I almost got a nosebleed from convulsive laughter. He totally brought the high energy and Maher didn't know whether to shit or go blind. Maher could not contain himself. If you like Short and can, at least, tolerate Bill Maher, KZbin this. It's well worth it.

[@ktkt1825]

@@Mikeyboy51866 Short developed such unique characters and carry them along his whole career- he's hilarious in interviews too on Letterman and others.

[@chinookvalley]

Did anyone else cry at the end? Humanity has lost all meaning. Be kind, you never know what another is going thru.

[@thecheesecomissioner41]

Back when they did some more serious (ish) sketchs they had a way deeper meaning it seems. It's like they cared about everyone's life and wanted them to laugh their troubles away...

[@joshua3392]

❤"Be kind,you never know what another is going through"❤ That's in the top 5 most powerful hard hitting considerate charitable comments ever to be "typed". Godbless you for saying that❤

[@rayyana.8538]

There was a strange yet familiar melancholy to this sketch....humanity is scarce these days.

[@shannamartinez9494]

It was very sweet.

[@videoloverboy]

I remember watching this live on the original broadcast. THAT ending DID have a profound influence on my understanding of our presence in other's lives. I paused . . . was glad I stayed home that night.

[@Nhamp2000]

Ed Grimley, in his own way, finding pure joy in the simplest of pleasures. Very poignant sketch.

[@ragantate3995]

I wish KZbin had more clips of this character. I like him & of course Jimmy Glick (there’s plenty of clips of Jimmy on KZbin tho).

[@Dulcimerist]

@@ragantate3995 Jiminy Glick

[@chriswhitten7986]

what a treasure martin short is! gotta love ed grimley,,,,i must say!

[@jiminykripes4937]

One of my favorite Martin Short skits. I'll do my Ed Grimly a little sometimes just to blow peoples minds. Pretty good stuff Marty.

[@vladbrad1389]

Martin Short is super funny😂😂😂😂

[@Poormaz]

Julia Louis-Dreyfus was a secretary in this sketch. WOW

[@56postoffice]

*VEEP!!*

[@FlamingoKicker]

Yeah, they didn't use her very much on SNL. Luckily she landed on another pretty big show later on. The name eludes me.

[@NathanielHarari]

You should watch the late 80s skits - she's in a ton of them with Eddie Murphy an many other famous comedians.

[@FlamingoKicker]

@@NathanielHarari She was on the show from 1982 to 1985. That show really burns thru talented people.

[@summer123860]

@@NathanielHarari you mean early 80s not late 80s skits

[@mr.personhumanson6871]

I must say. I love Martin short, you know

[@BlueMHart]

-"What if I freeze - FREEZE BAD - on the simplest of famous names?" -"...and found an entire FORT, y'know?" - When he moves his arm out of the way at 5:08 My favorite moments from this sketch, I must say. Plus the blooper at the beginning which is hilarious.

[@asteverino8569]

I have loved this sketch since it first aired. Nice to come across it again, I must say. 😃

[@travisearly7879]

Talk about threading the needle on the dark humor! The fact this still works today shows why Martin Short still works today. Good writing and authentic messenger!

[@jfayiii]

Oh God that boom mic - you had one job. A handle on a pivot. LOL

[@Gynecologist]

Didn't look like Martin Short looked at his cue cards once

[@lindaf4836]

He did flub his lines a time or 2 though, but it worked for the character.

[@KalOrtPor]

He came from improv like many of his contemporaries and appeared on SCTV which was pre-recorded and was used to not needing cue cards. The talent level was generally higher and there was less reliance on cue cards in those days.

[@NxDoyle]

Marty (no, I've not met him, but it seems like everyone calls him that) strikes me as the kind of guy who would at least try to be off book before performance. His background in both improv and theatre would have instilled in him the desire to be off book combined with the ability to vamp his way through a hurricane.

[@louman2342]

Back then they remembered their lines not like that horseshit they call SNL nowadays

[@esalomon1820]

@@louman2342 They're not even shy about looking directly at their cues.

[@LadyVoldemort]

This is a heartwarming sketch...I love it! There are mixed emotions, I laughed and feeling concerned at the same time...glad the dude changed his mind on his "way down". I love how old casts didn't rely on cue cards too much like the recent ones. And I love Martin Short character's sincerity. 👍😊❤

[@TheTeufelhunden68]

The quality of SNL has plummeted as well as the comedic talents.

[@glassarthouse]

what are you talking about? the entire skit was put on cue cards. you can even see both actors looking at the cue cards during even the most manic parts of the skit.

[@AdamCampettiVideo]

They had cue cards back then, they just knew how to read better than the new casts of today. They would memorize lines better. Martin Short talks about how the directors demanded cue cards, so he would take out his contact lenses so he couldn't see them. You can hear him say this on a Howard Stern clip towards the end of it.

[@rockon1021]

I miss Ed Grimley, I must say

[@michaelkcreel4813]

Lol, I miss him also. If SNL would bring Martin back for one show and let him do all his characters it would be the most watched SNL in history. Martin Short is a little tiny guy, but he has the biggest heart in the world. Remem Capt Ron with Kurt Russell? I like Kurt, I wonder why he is not making movies anymore? Kurt is not the comedy genius Martin is but he can still pull it off if he needs to. 3000 Miles to Graceland was a great movie, but it was somewhat graphic and extemely violent. That movie had alot of big time starts in it. John Lovitz, ICE T, Howie, and Kevin Costner looked like he enjoyed playing the murdering bastard role. He did a good job at playing Mr Brooks, which is even more violent than 3k to Elvis Crib.

[@sheiladaniels9552]

I do too, I must say!

[@pibly674]

Same here

[@zafrier]

@@michaelkcreel4813 a Martin Short reunion

[@terryeasterday580]

Merry Xmas.... Martin Short Audio book, Narrated by Mr. Short kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4aafWx3qKqJqLs

[@anitamooreland-simms3606]

I must have watched this over a dozen times. Love Ed Grimley's excitement. His excitement is so funny. So optimistic about everything!😄😄😄 Love it!!

[@PIXPromosMore]

These Vintage sketches.......THEY'RE MAKING ME MENTAL!

[@Transmedal2]

Because they are actually made to be funny right lol

[@thisismagacountry1318]

I must say

[@maxtheknife]

So good to see SNL scenes from the 80s. I prefer these over anything from the past 20 years.

[@RJ1999x]

SNL jumped the shark a long, long time ago

[@TheSUPERPOTATO2000]

cool

[@basilmarasco1975]

That early 80s cast is overlooked, under-appreciated.

[@Eidann63]

SNL was still funny in 80's.. then they exchanged comedy for grungy sex jokes that anyone can resort to for a cheap laugh. The end of what was once a showcase for some truly genius clever and unique comics with funny characters and routines.

[@postatility9703]

But SCTV was still funnier

[@johnpelletier7641]

Just incredible Martin Short.

[@anitamooreland-simms3606]

He got back in that seat so fast!! 😄😆😄😆😄😆😄

[@jadedandbitter]

Imagine if Christian Bale had been hosting and he hit a boom mic like that...

[@kenpudsey6435]

Yeah he would have thrown the boom mic guy out of the window!

[@DrDespicable]

A tantrum longer than the sketch.

[@helenomstreken7577]

Current reference.

[@justinpipes85]

Haha!

[@mikeygoodboi]

He would have screamed at it for 10 minutes!

[@teeroh99]

I videotaped this episode (on Beta!) and watched this skit many, many times. Ed Grimley even made my parents laugh, which was nice since we didn't agree on much in those days.

[@grawakendream8980]

him hitting his head against the boom mic they spaced on moving, made the sketch

[@itiswhatitaintanditaintwha1427]

"Just not enjoying my work, anymore. Plus these damn boom mikes hanging over my head!"

[@mandychristie9021]

I love martin short he is really funny ,he kills my ribs with laughing so much

[@AdamCampettiVideo]

I can't believe there was never an Ed Grimley movie.

[@janemarinelli2838]

The picture of Pat Sajak🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hellpoint7534]

Martin Short is so brilliant. He has created such unique characters.

[@liljan8539]

Love vintage SNL 😂

[@jonathanlee6098]

One of the most brilliant sketches ever!

[@eagleeye2300]

"I would be collapsing from my own joy, I must say..."

[@thegood9]

Ed Grimley is an all time great. Our friends all loved him so much, along with Jackie rogers, Jr., of course!

[@amiblueful]

Christopher Guest looking up after the boom mike came into shot. He's a master at subtlety.

[@teariet.tekken-wolffenn5881]

I love Ed Grimley. I didn't miss the cartoons. I love how he dances.

[@BibleSongs]

One of the greatest original comedy characters ever.

[@xavierfranzoia6633]

Ed Grimley!!!!! Gold

[@peterdavis2020]

Great character + Great Writing = Timeless

[@nomad1517]

Now, that's what I call, a great actor.

[@AdamCampettiVideo]

They had cue cards back then, they just knew how to read better than the new casts of today. They would memorize lines better. Martin Short talks about how the directors demanded cue cards, so he would take out his contact lenses so he couldn't see them. You can hear him say this on a Howard Stern clip towards the end of it.

[@j-jcote2675]

I've heard secondhand from the cue card people that although Martin Short and Steve Martin are wonderful comedic actors, having them on the show is a bit of a hassle because at this point they're so blind that the cue cards have to use extra-huge lettering.

[@imaspoon4522]

This character will forever endear Martin Short to me. And he's even Jiminy Glick. I would throw myself in front of a train to keep Martin Short here and healthy.

[@AlexReynard]

The part where he vaults over the chair is _perfect._

[@moss_yt]

This sketch is hilarious, I must say

[@jarrodbarkley9061]

It's making me mental!

[@Delftblue1960]

Drove Martin Short and his young family back in the 80s (from his Toronto home then) to the airport when I had my own limo on a few occasions. Still remember his toddler's constant requests en route. "Do Grimely daddy! Do Grimely" and we'd all have a laugh as he did his comical repartee... "I must say!". 😂 😂 😂

[@seane.9937]

"so often high ceilings can be effective" great line!

[@motojauntx]

This was a precursor to Jordan Peele’s Continental Breakfast aficionado. “Well, La. Dee. Da.”

[@craigbaxter4595]

First time seeing this in decades,man does this bring back memories!!!

[@farwoodfarm9296]

Jaleel White said he based Steve Urkel partially on Ed Grimley

[@glassarthouse]

I finally realised that Ed Grimley is just Robin Williams on sedatives and Canadian.

[@joshuabaldwin8751]

Spot on I must say

[@llYossarian]

4:57 - Christopher Guest almost breaking is one of the most delightful sights these eyes have ever seen...

[@elmasivo]

His head hitting the boom mic

[@Dills1995]

He was best when he played his triangle while running around his room.

[@60misst]

I totally did not expect that at the end and laughed til my stomach hurt

[@elbinkogrande]

Christopher Guest stands up from his desk ... and hits his head on the boom mic. Wow ... I must say.

[@xxxxyz854]

"So often high ceilings may be effective".

[@mysterion3182]

I don't know if this ever happened, but if Wheel of Fortune had a celebrity night and Martin Short was one of them it would have been great to see him dressed as Ed Grimley, I must say.

[@peanut983]

No one talking about how he hit his head on the boom mic

[@RyMicTheKing]

Lol at the guy falling right on his head from several stories up and they both get up perfectly OK

[@johnmiller4990]

This was Martin's pilot episode of "Only attempted suicides outside the building".

[@brothergen3336]

Fun fact. Did you know that the character who played? Steve urkel from the show family matters in the late '80s said that his character was just a Ed grimsley impersonation.

[@argelbargel7680]

After I first saw this, I couldn't keep a straight face even looking at Sajak. Pretty decent guy.

[@a.harrison4613]

Absolute and genuine legendary comedian right there.

[@OhGodThe]

Elaine's early years, before buying socks for that guy and all that. I must say.

[@aaron01999]

Damn, how talented Martin Short is

[@ricknofzinger]

I love Martin short. He is the best of the best, I must say. And, I believe that Jiminy Glick would agree with me, If Jiminy interviewed Ed, that would be mental.

[@normasacchetti3864]

Ed Grimly and Kate and Ali .. My favorite SNL characters.

[@douglasdixon524]

I dressed up as Martin Short's character Ed Grimley for Halloween in 1985.