The Land Shark was a recurring character from the sketch comedy television seriesSaturday Night Live. The character first appeared in the fall of 1975 as a response to the release of the film Jaws, and the subsequent hysteria over purported shark sightings. It was one of the most popular and imitated sketches of SNL's first season. Lorne Michaels gave the original Land Shark costume to Chevy Chase in 1983, which was subsequently stolen from his Pacific Palisades home.
Original sketch
The Land Shark first appeared in a sketch entitled "Jaws II" on the Candice Bergen-hosted episode, which originally aired on November 8, 1975. As narrated by Don Pardo :
... the Land Shark is considered the cleverest of all sharks. Unlike the Great White shark, which tends to inhabit the waters and harbors of recreational beach areas, the Land Shark may strike at any place, any time. It is capable of disguising its voice, and generally preys on young, single women.
The sketch depicted the Land Shark attacking several people after knocking on their doors, pretending to be repairmen, door-to-door salesmen, and the like. Once the intended victim opens the door, the Land Shark quickly enters and swallows them. The sketch is typified by the following exchange:
Woman: Who is it? Voice: Flowers. Woman: Flowers for whom? Voice: Plumber, ma'am. Woman: I don't need a plumber. You're that clever shark, aren't you? Voice: . Woman: Candygram, my foot! You get out of here before I call the police! You're the shark, and you know it! Voice: Wait. I-I'm only a dolphin, ma'am. Woman: A dolphin? Well...okay.
The character returned in later episodes with the original cast, after which it did not appear for many years. ;Season 1, Episode 6 Titled "Jaws III." The women attacked were played by Laraine Newman, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, and guest host Lily Tomlin. The shark also eats Brody and announcer Don Pardo. ;Season 1, Episode 23 In the opening monologue with guest host Louise Lasser, the Land Shark attempts to lure Lasser out of her dressing room. ;Season 2, Episode 6 In a sketch titled "Trick-or-Treating Land Shark," having lured Gilda Radner out of her home by claiming to be with UNICEF, the shark attacks her, then pops his head back through the doorway, opening its mouth to reveal Chevy Chase, who announces, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!". ;Season 2, Episode 22 Titled "Lucky Lindy," the shark meets aviator Charles Lindbergh, played by Buck Henry, on a transatlantic flight. Since Chase left the show after this season, the character did not return as a regular. ;Season 3, Episode 11 Titled "No Funny Ending." The final sketch of the show; various sketch endings are attempted. Chevy Chase is guest star for this episode. ;Season 3, Episode 19 Twice during the episode, host Richard Dreyfuss hears the Jaws theme. During the closing credits, he is finally attacked by the shark. ;Season 8, Episode 1 Chevy Chase hosted the eighth season premiere on September 25, 1982, live via satellite from the West Coast. He opened the show as the Land Shark, who attacked through the TV set. ;Season 27, Episode 2 During Weekend Update, as Tina Fey introduces a segment about that year's spate of shark attacks, the Land Shark knocks at the door to the newsroom, then attacks Tina Fey. As Fallon closes the segment with "I'm Jimmy Fallon," Chase turns to the camera and replies, "And I'm not. Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow." ;40th Anniversary Special During the Weekend Update tribute with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jane Curtin, a doorbell rings; Curtin, in terror, warns Fey not to open the door because of the Land Shark, but Fey dismisses her. Fey initially appears to be right: Matt Foley appears, giving one of his traditional motivational speeches, but behind Foley is the Land Shark, who again attempts to eat Fey. Curtin and Poehler work to free Fey from the shark's jaws as the sketch closes.
Influence
The concept is influenced by the Monty Python's Flying Circus' sketch "Burglar/Encyclopedia Salesman" and there have been many other comedy sketches that riff on the original Land Shark sketch.
