Season 2.

Cast structure

Sep 18, 1976

Seven original players begin the season

Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman and Gilda Radner return from Season 1.

Production event

Sep 18, 1976

The Land of Gorch leaves the program

The Muppet characters make their final appearance in the season premiere.

Production event

Oct 16, 1976

Three episodes broadcast from Brooklyn

The October 16, October 23 and October 30 episodes originate from NBC’s Brooklyn studios while Studio 8H is used for election coverage.

Cast departure

Oct 30, 1976

Chevy Chase leaves the cast

Chase’s final episode as a cast member airs October 30 after an injury-altered start to the season.

Cast promotion

Sep 25, 1976

Jane Curtin takes over Weekend Update

Curtin fills in during Chase’s injury and becomes the program’s new Weekend Update anchor.

Cast addition

Jan 15, 1977

Bill Murray joins the cast

Murray debuts January 15 as the replacement for Chevy Chase and joins the opening cast roll the following week.

Production event

Jan 15, 1977

Jim Downey joins the writing staff

Downey begins his long association with the program with the Ralph Nader episode.

Production event

Mar 26, 1977

The Saturday Night Live title briefly appears

The Jack Burns episode uses Saturday Night Live after the competing ABC program’s cancellation; NBC’s Saturday Night returns for the rest of the season.

Milestone

Jan 29, 1977

The first athlete hosts

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton becomes the program’s first athlete host on January 29.

Production event

Feb 20, 1977

Live from Mardi Gras airs outside the regular run

The February 20 special belongs to the dedicated Special Episodes archive rather than the 22-episode regular-season count.