Saturday Night Live: Season 9
The ninth season of Saturday Night Live aired on NBC between October 8, 1983, and May 12, 1984. Entering the season, the production maintained continuity by retaining the entire cast from the previous year, with the sole addition of Jim Belushi to the ensemble. A central narrative of this season involved the professional dynamic between Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo. Under the direction of Dick Ebersol, the show had p
Season 9 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- The series is a long-running live television sketch comedy and variety show.
- Dick Ebersol implemented a strategy starting in season seven to prioritize Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo over other cast members.
- The production environment was characterized by limited patience for cast members who were not part of the primary featured duo.
- Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo maintained a professional relationship that was increasingly strained by Murphy's growing celebrity status.
Season overview
The ninth season of Saturday Night Live aired on NBC between October 8, 1983, and May 12, 1984. Entering the season, the production maintained continuity by retaining the entire cast from the previous year, with the sole addition of Jim Belushi to the ensemble. A central narrative of this season involved the professional dynamic between Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo. Under the direction of Dick Ebersol, the show had previously focused on highlighting these two performers, often relegating other cast members to supporting roles. However, as Murphy's individual fame grew following his film work, tensions emerged. A significant turning point occurred when Murphy was invited to host the program after his 48 Hours co-star, Nick Nolte, withdrew from the role at the last minute. This decision created friction, as Piscopo viewed the opportunity as a slight against him. Perspectives on the resulting conflict varied, with some observers suggesting Ebersol intentionally fostered competition between the two performers, while others attributed the discord to Piscopo's reaction to Murphy's rising stardom. The season is ultimately defined by this internal friction and Murphy's departure from the series midway through the production schedule.
Episode Guide
Season 9 Progress Shield
Brandon Tartikoff/John Cougar
Oct 8, 1983 · 67 min
Sketches include ""In Brandon's Office,"" ""NBC Junket,"" ""Gumby's Rehearsal,"" ""Larry's Corner,"" and ""Whiner Show Ideas."" John Cougar Mellancamp performs ""Tumblin' Down"" a
Danny DeVito & Rhea Perlman/Eddy Grant
Oct 15, 1983 · 67 min
Sketches are ""Calvin Klein Cream Pies,"" ""Mister Robinson's Neighborhood,"" ""Crazy Edelman,"" ""Book Beat,"" ""What Would Frank Do?"" ""Amos n' Andy,"" and ""Spanish Class."" E
John Candy/Men at Work
Oct 22, 1983 · 67 min
Sketches include ""Jim and Mr. Mambo,"" ""Doc Edmund,"" ""Village of the Damned Little Rascals,"" ""Eddie Murphy in the Suburbs,"" ""Dr. Tongue's Offer,"" ""Candace's Fantasy Shack
Teri Garr/Mick Fleetwood's Zoo
Nov 12, 1983 · 67 min
Sketches include ""Cheerleader Practice,"" ""Mister Robinson's Neighborhood,"" ""History: The Real Story,"" ""School Assembly,"" and ""Caffiene Achievers."" The Zoo (featuring Lin
Father Guido Sarducci/Huey Lewis and the News
Jan 14, 1984 · 67 min
Sketches are ""National Phone-In Democratic Primary,"" ""Tasteless Choice,"" ""The Ghost of Buckwheat,"" ""Countdown '84: The Candidates,"" ""Nice Boys Don't Get Girls Pregnant,""
Michael Palin, Mary Palin/The Motels
Jan 21, 1984 · 67 min
Sketches include ""Donahue,"" ""Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood,"" and ""Powerful Living Snaps."" The Motels perform ""Suddenly Last Summer.""
Don Rickles/Billy Idol
Jan 28, 1984 · 67 min
Live From New York, it's... Joe Piscopo! Sketches include ""TV President,"" ""Kannon AE-1,"" ""I Married A Monkey,"" ""The Hamlisch Maneuver,"" ""Fascinating People And Their Frie
Robin Williams/Adam Ant
Feb 11, 1984 · 67 min
Sketches include ""Olympic Coverage,"" ""Rock & Roll ...and then some,"" ""Gandhi & The Bandit,"" ""Firing Line,"" and ""MTV News."" Adam Ant performs ""Strip.""
Jamie Lee Curtis/The Fixx
Feb 18, 1984 · 67 min
Sketches include ""Rappin' Jimmy B.,"" ""Semi-Competant Video Store Clerk,"" ""The Julia Show,"" ""Jimmy and Jamie Lee Rehearse,"" ""People Transit,"" and ""Texxon."" The Fixx per
Edwin Newman/Kool & the Gang
Feb 25, 1984 · 67 min
Sketches include ""SNL Hairdressers,"" ""Edwin Newman and James Brown,"" and ""Prose and Cons."" Kool & the Gang perform ""Celebrate.""
Billy Crystal/Al Jarreau
Mar 17, 1984 · 67 min
Sketches include ""St. Patrick's Day Party,"" ""Hung Like Me,"" ""Unexplained Questions of the Universe."" ""Family in the Attic,"" ""Bad Career Moves,"" ""Ronald Reagen and Sammy
Michael Douglas/Deniece Williams
Apr 7, 1984 · 67 min
Sketches include ""Lost Script,"" ""MTV News,"" ""Four Minutes to Live"" (film), ""TV's Foul-Ups, Bleeps, Blunders, Bloopers, Practical Jokes, And Political Debates,"" ""Sugar or P
George McGovern/Madness
Apr 14, 1984 · 67 min
Sketches include ""60 Minutes,"" ""Menage a Trois,"" ""Book Talk,"" and ""My Brother, The Loser.""
Barry Bostwick/Spinal Tap
May 5, 1984 · 67 min
Sketches are ""Simulated Cat Fight,"" ""Foldgers Crystals,"" ""Lie Detector Test,"" ""Spinal Tap Interview,"" ""Guest Performance: A. Whitney Brown,"" ""2 on the Town,"" and ""Texx
Billy Crystal, Ed Koch, Edwin Newman, Father Guido Sarducci, Betty Thomas/The Cars
May 12, 1984 · 67 min
Sketches include ""Frank & Sammy,"" ""Sarducci & Nelson,"" ""Nose Guard,"" ""Hello, Trudy!,"" ""Needleman the Dentist,"" and ""Stooges Self-Defense."" The Cars perform ""Drive.""