Season 4.

Cast structure

Oct 7, 1978

The entire repertory cast returns

All seven Season 3 repertory players continue into Season 4.

Cast structure

Oct 7, 1978

Bill Murray joins Weekend Update

Murray replaces Dan Aykroyd as Jane Curtin’s Weekend Update co-anchor.

Production event

Oct 7, 1978

The Not Ready for Prime Time Players name is retired

Beginning with the premiere, the opening credits no longer identify the cast by the original ensemble nickname.

Production event

Oct 7, 1978

Walter Williams joins the writing staff

The creator of the Mr. Bill films becomes a credited Season 4 writer.

Cast structure

Oct 21, 1978

Writers receive recurring special-guest billing

Al Franken and Tom Davis appear as a comedy team, Don Novello appears as Father Guido Sarducci, and other writers receive special-guest credit when performing their material.

Production event

Oct 28, 1978

‘Things We Did Last Summer’ airs

The October 28 documentary-style special is reserved for the dedicated Specials archive and does not alter the season’s twenty-episode regular count.

Milestone

May 26, 1979

Several original-era properties conclude

The season closes the original runs of The Coneheads, Emily Litella, the Festrunk Brothers, the Bees, Samurai Futaba and The Olympia Cafe.

Cast departure

May 26, 1979

Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi leave the cast

Both original repertory players depart after the finale as The Blues Brothers film moves into production.

Milestone

May 26, 1979

The original ensemble enters its final transition

Aykroyd and Belushi’s departures leave five repertory players for the original production team’s fifth and final season.