Get a Life: Chris Wins a Celebrity (1991)

Starland Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight" is the unofficial theme song of this episode, as little Chris Peterson (Chris Elliott) shows cynical show biz celebrity Sandy Connors (Martin Mull) "a world of life, hope, and laughter." The episode has a special resonance for fans because Sandy bears an uncanny resemblance to one David Letterman, Elliott's former employer. Like Letterman, Sandy is an acerbic, cigar-chomping late night talk show host who seems uncomfortable in his own skin. Chris sends 3,000 entries in to "Sandy's Laugh and Song Jackpot," and wins a weekend with the curmudgeonly star. Sandy, arriving at the Peterson home, immediately tries to get out of his obligation, proposing he stay at the Marriott and meet Chris for breakfast the next day. Chris knows the contest rules, and warns Sandy, "If you're going to challenge me, I'll run right over to the mall and get myself a lawyer." He sums up the situation thusly: "It's like a little game of chess, isn't it, Sandy? The only problem is, I own Boardwalk, and you keep landing on it." The miserable Sandy can't even get out of sharing Chris' bed, as Chris tells him, "Yeah, that's a good idea -- sleep on the sofa. But I warn you, it's loaded with chiggers." After a frightening night, Sandy offers Chris money to let him leave, but instead, Chris takes him on a life-affirming journey around town, to the strains of the aforementioned song. He's ecstatic to have won Sandy over, until the celeb decides to give up show biz, with its "grueling...five hours of work every week," and "those horrible synthetic hairpieces," and move in with Chris and his parents. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi