Season 12.

Cast addition

Oct 11, 1986

A defining ensemble arrives

Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks and Victoria Jackson join the repertory cast, while Kevin Nealon joins as a featured player.

Cast structure

Featured players receive full opening credit

A. Whitney Brown and Kevin Nealon are credited in the opening montage for every episode despite their featured-player status.

Milestone

Four enduring properties debut

Church Chat, Mr. Subliminal, the Sweeney Sisters and Derek Stevens all debut during Season 12.

Production event

Oct 11, 1986

The SNL Band enters the opening credits

The season premiere marks the first opening-credit acknowledgement of the Saturday Night Live Band; G.E. Smith is later identified as its leader.

Production event

Oct 25, 1986

The World Series delays an episode

The Rosanna Arquette episode is recorded for October 25 but postponed when Game 6 of the 1986 World Series runs long; it airs November 8.