In March 2006 I posted a stellar clip from the first episode of Chevy Chase’s defective 1993 talk show. In that clip, Chase pals around with his first guest, Goldie Hawn, and then the two of them engage in some ill-conceived slapstick shenanigans. It was truly unfortunate for all involved.

This morning I discovered another clip from that debut episode, and it’s even better than the one I originally shared here on Panopticist. The Chevy Chase Show’s misguidedness was evident in every frame of the clip I posted last year, but at least Chase had his good friend Hawn on stage with him to act as a buffer. This new clip is the first 10 minutes of the show, and Chase is entirely, existentially alone. The phrase “deer caught in the headlights” is a cliche, but it really applies here. He rubs his hands together; he repeats himself; his eyes dart around. After he’s introduced, he doesn’t have the slightest idea how to silence the crowd’s applause so he can begin his monologue; he’s almost angry that they won’t shut up. He seems acutely aware that the next hour is going to go very very badly.

This is fantastic. Pay attention to his hands.

[via YouTube member MrSitcom2.]