What SNL looked like in 1979
By early 1979, Saturday Night Live had entered its fifth season since debuting in late 1975. The show was still an unpredictable live experiment, anchored by original cast members while new talent joined and the political and musical landscape shifted. This overview captures the core SNL cast in 1979, notable cast changes, recurring players, and the writers shaping the behind-the-scenes humor. It reflects the lineup as it stood during season 5 (1979) and the transition into season 6, without treating the year as a hard break.
Core cast in 1979: who was on SNL midseason
Through season 4 (1978–79), SNL operated with a rotating repertory setup. By the start of season 5 in fall 1979, the core cast included several original members alongside newer additions, and by early 1979 the show had begun to stabilize around this group before expansion in season 6.
Original and continuing cast (through season 4/early season 5)
- Dan Aykroyd
- John Belushi
- Jane Curtin
- Gilda Radner
- Laraine Newman
- Bill Murray
Cast additions in season 4 and mid-1979
During season 4, new hires joined as featured players and later became central to the show’s next era, with one notable addition arriving in spring 1979.
- Chris Farley did not join until season 6 (1980).
- Eddie Murphy was hired in spring 1980 and debuted season 6.
- Billy Crystal joined as a featured player in 1979 and became a full repertory player near season 6.
- Mary Gross entered as a featured player in season 6 (late 1980).
Notable cast members active in 1979 (context and tenure)
In 1979, SNL’s humor blended political satire, character sketches, and musical performances. The following actors were central to that mix during or just after the 1979 calendar year.
Dan Aykroyd
A foundational cast member through seasons 1–4, Aykroyd remained through early 1979 and helped shape the show’s offbeat, detail-driven comedy. His departure after season 4 marked the end of an original era.
John Belushi
Belushi was a central force in season 4 and stayed through the spring 1979 finale, cementing his status as a breakout star before his untimely death in 1982.
Jane Curtin
Curtin’s deadpan chemistry with co-anchors made her a breakout presence through 1979. She continued through season 5 and is closely associated with the show’s mid-1970s appeal.
Gilda Radner
Radner defined ‘70s SNL with recurring bits like Roseanne Roseannadanna. She remained with the show through 1979, leaving after season 4 as part of the original cast exodus.
Bill Murray
Murray grew into a breakout cast member during season 4 and was a familiar fixture through 1979 before his own departure after that season.
Supporting and featured players in 1979
Though not all officially labeled as repertory cast, these actors frequently appeared on the show during or just after 1979 and contributed to its evolving tone:
- Billy Crystal (hired as featured player in 1979, moved toward repertory status late that year)
- Eddie Murphy (hired spring 1980, debuted late season 6)
- Mary Gross (featured player, season 6 start fall 1980)
Key hosts and musical guests in 1979
SNL’s 1979 season featured a mix of mainstream and counterculture hosts, reflecting the show’s eclectic booking.
| Date (season/episode) | Host | Musical guest | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 4, episode 17 (February 10, 1979) | Buck Henry | Blondie | An early-season anchor episode with sharp monologues and strong musical energy. |
| Season 4, episode 20 (March 17, 1979) | Margot Kidder | The Police | Kidder’s hosting highlighted SNL’s star power; The Police’s raw set resonated with new wave audiences. |
| Season 5, episode 1 (October 6, 1979) | Robert Klein | Leo Sayer | Season 5 premiere with a mainstream comedian and pop singer establishing continuity. |
| Season 5, episode 10 (December 8, 199 maybe 197?) | Buck Henry (second time) | The B-52’s | The B-52’s introduced a quirky, regional-new-wave aesthetic to a national audience. |
| Season 5, episode 12 (December 22, 1979) | Lorne Michaels (in a cameo role) | No musical guest (holiday repeat) | A holiday episode featuring highlights and cast reflection as season 5 wound down. |
Writers and creative leadership in 1979
Behind the cast, SNL’s writers shaped its satirical edge. In 1979, key figures included creators and executive producers who set the show’s tone, alongside writing staff contributing to recurring bits and political sketches.
Executive producers and showrunners
- Lorne Michaels: executive producer and the show’s guiding force through 1979.
- Michael O’Donoghue: head writer and primary creative voice in season 4, departing in 1979; his voice shaped much of the early SNL attitude.
Writer’s room contributions in 1979
The writing staff included contributors who became well-known figures in comedy. While specific byline shares are difficult to quantify, the team produced the sharp political impressions and character work audiences associated with late-’70s SNL.
Reunion and legacy context post-1979
By the end of 1979, the original cast had begun to depart, paving the way for season 6’s expanded format and the Eddie Murphy-era transformation. The 1979 period represents SNL’s transition from its raw first era toward a more polished yet still risky live comedy model. Cast reunions since the 1980s—most notably the season 45 anniversary special—have consistently highlighted the enduring influence of the 1970s lineup on the show’s DNA.