Mr. Mike's Mondo Video
Mr. Mike's Mondo Video was a 1979 movie conceived by Saturday Night Live writer/feature player Michael O'Donoghue.
Mondo Video was a spoof of the controversial 1962 documentary Mondo Cane, showing people doing weird stunts. Many cast members of SNL (including Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Gilda Radner), as well as people who have previously hosted or would go on to host the show (such as Carrie Fisher and Margot Kidder), made cameo appearances in this film.
It was originally produced on videotape as an NBC television special that would have aired during one of SNL's live breaks. But much of the controversy surrounding the film lies in its raunchy adult content. NBC declared the show inappropriate for the network (in the wake of a ratings slump they experienced at the time). The special was then cancelled.
Shortly thereafter, independent studio New Line Cinema acquired the rights to Mondo Video, and converted the videotape master to 35mm film for theatrical release, along with a "very special" Mr. Bill Show, presented at the head of the film as a short subject.
The film would eventually be seen on television, albeit on pay cable. It has also been released on home video.
Categories: 1979 films | Saturday Night Live