In four seasons, executive producer Dick Ebersol had brought Saturday Night Live back from the cancellation, had the hottest comedian in America in the cast, and oversaw its transition from a live incubator of new comic talent to an increasingly prerecorded showcase for established comedians. By 1985, though, Ebersol found himself tired of the show’s grueling schedule, and, after toying with staying with a mostly-prerecorded version of the show that wouldn’t premiere until the next January, decided to step away. Brandon Tartikoff, president of NBC Entertainment, had to consider his options, and fast.

Sketches include "Exxico", "McDonald and Wife", "Buh-Weet Sings", "The Bizarro World", "Blowing Up A Building", "Lifeboat", "She's A Pig", "Let's See What's Bothering Bob", "Single Women", "Honeymoon", "Cheap Laffs" "Andy Warhol's TV", "Alan Alda's Sensitivity Training For Men" and "Assassination Aftermath".  The Kinks perform "Destroyer" and "Art Lover".  

The 1981-82 season, while not considered a great year for the show, is SNL's most unique season.