Land Shark (Saturday Night Live)

The Land Shark (also land shark, landshark, LandShark) was a recurring character from the sketch comedy television series Saturday Night Live. The character first appeared in the fall of 1975, in part as a response to the release of the shark movie Jaws and the hysteria over purported shark sightings.

Original skit

The Season 1, Episode 4 skit, titled "Jaws II," featured the "Land Shark," a cunning urban predator (voiced by Chevy Chase). As narrated by Don Pardo (the announcer):

... 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 skit showed the Land Shark attacking several people by knocking on their doors and pretending to be repairmen, door-to-door salesmen, and the like. Once the victim opens the door, the Land Shark quickly enters and bites or swallows the human victim. The skit is typified by the following exchange:

[Scene: A New York apartment. Someone knocks on the door.]
Woman:  [not opening the door] Yes?
Voice:  (mumbling) Mrs. Arlsburgerhhh?
Woman:  Who?
Voice:  (mumbling) Mrs. Johannesburrrr?
Woman:  Who is it?
Voice:  [pause] Flowers.
Woman:  Flowers for whom?
Voice:  [long pause] Plumber, ma'am.
Woman:  I don't need a plumber. You're that clever shark, aren't you?
Voice:  [pause] Candygram.
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. [opens door]
[Huge latex and foam-rubber shark head lunges through open door, chomps down on woman's head, and drags her out of the apartment, all while the Jaws attack music is playing.]

The "Land Shark attack" scenes are intermixed with other scenes directly spoofing Jaws, featuring Dan Aykroyd as Chief Brody and John Belushi playing Matt Hooper.

Other appearances in SNL

The character returned in later episodes using the original cast, but then was not used for many years.

Season 1, Episode 6

Titled "Jaws III". The attacked women were played by Laraine Newman, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, and guest host Lily Tomlin. The shark also eats Brody (Dan Aykroyd) and announcer Don Pardo (offscreen).

Season 1, Episode 23

In the opening monologue with guest host Louise Lasser, the Land Shark tries to lure Lasser out of her dressing room.

Season 2, Episode 6

Titled "Trick-or-Treating Land Shark". Having lured Gilda Radner out by claiming to be with UNICEF, the shark attacks her, then pops his head back in, opening its mouth to reveal Chevy Chase and announces "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" (the cold opening).

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 the show.

Season 3, Episode 19

Twice in the episode, host Richard Dreyfuss hears the Jaws theme. During the closing credits, Richard is 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 was represented by a TV on the set which interacted with the other performers). He opened the show as the land shark who attacked through the TV set.

Season 27, Episode 2

During "Weekend Update", as Jimmy Fallon 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 show with "I'm Jimmy Fallon", Chase turns to the camera, and replies, "And I'm not. Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow".