Saturday Night Live aired its sixth season during the 1980–1981 television season on NBC. This season became notorious as it was considered by many to be one of the worst seasons ever. Lorne Michaels, executive producer, had left after the previous season, along with the entire cast, and all but one writer (Brian Doyle-Murray). The sixth season began with a completely new cast, new writers, and a new producer, Jean Doumanian.
Through all of this,...
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Saturday Night Live aired its sixth season during the 1980–1981 television season on NBC. This season became notorious as it was considered by many to be one of the worst seasons ever. Lorne Michaels, executive producer, had left after the previous season, along with the entire cast, and all but one writer (Brian Doyle-Murray). The sixth season began with a completely new cast, new writers, and a new producer, Jean Doumanian.
Through all of this, the quick standouts were Eddie Murphy (who appeared in a non-speaking role in the second episode; a featured player in episode 4; and finally a repertory player in episode 8) and Joe Piscopo, who were the only cast members to return for the seventh season. Despite the criticisms of the comedy (or lack thereof), many famous musicians were booked to be musical guests, such as Funky Four Plus One (the first rap group to appear on SNL, an honor erroneously credited to Run-DMC), James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Cheap Trick, Linda Ronstadt, and Prince...
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