Season 7.

Production event

Oct 3, 1981

Dick Ebersol begins his first full season

Season 7 is the first full Saturday Night Live season produced under Dick Ebersol.

Cast addition

Oct 3, 1981

Christine Ebersole and Mary Gross join the cast

Christine Ebersole and Mary Gross make their cast debuts in the season premiere.

Cast addition

Oct 3, 1981

Brian Doyle-Murray returns to the cast

Doyle-Murray rejoins the program and becomes the principal SNL Newsbreak anchor.

Production event

Oct 3, 1981

Weekend Update becomes SNL Newsbreak

The season uses the title SNL Newsbreak for its news desk segment.

Milestone

Oct 10, 1981

Buckwheat debuts

Eddie Murphy introduces Buckwheat in the second episode of the season.

Production event

Dec 12, 1981

Michael O’Donoghue leaves the writing staff

O’Donoghue departs after the December 12 broadcast, leaving Bob Tischler as sole head writer.

Milestone

Mar 20, 1982

The season honors John Belushi

A tribute airs two weeks after the original cast member’s death.

Milestone

Mar 27, 1982

Gumby debuts

Eddie Murphy introduces the irascible version of Gumby that becomes a recurring character.

Cast departure

May 22, 1982

Three cast members leave after the finale

Brian Doyle-Murray, Christine Ebersole and Tony Rosato make their final appearances as cast members.