No mention that this is Murphy's last show, though Robin Duke gives him a kiss and hug, and as he goes behind the group, Joe Piscopo in a big bear hug that turns into play wrestling between the two. No Pardo voiceover over the closing theme.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

After the weaker Curtis show, tonight was definitely an improvement, and one of the most consistently enjoyable shows all season; while the show starts decently, it really starts hitting a hot streak in its second half. Edwin Newman more than made up for a limited acting range with a willingness to do a lot tonight, from singing to playing a gang member (and "ruining" a sketch), as well as a lot of general poking fun at himself. Eddie Murphy was also more present (in both senses of the word) in his final live show as a regular, with one of his more famous late-tenure sketches ("Hymietown") and two sketches paired with Piscopo ("Hairdressers", "A Nickel").

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

Face The Press

How High the Noon

A Nickel

Urban Answers

Hymietown

News Bar

Monologue

Saturday Night News

SHOW LOWLIGHTS:

Speaking Freely

MVP:

Edwin Newman / Eddie Murphy

CAST & GUEST BREAKDOWN:

cast

Jim Belushi : 3 appearances [Saturday Night News, How High The Noon, Face The Press]

: 3 appearances [Saturday Night News, How High The Noon, Face The Press] Robin Duke : 2 appearances [Hotline, Jacoby Escort Service]

: 2 appearances [Hotline, Jacoby Escort Service] Mary Gross : 3 appearances [Saturday Night News, Face The Press, Jacoby Escort Service]

: 3 appearances [Saturday Night News, Face The Press, Jacoby Escort Service] Brad Hall : 3 appearances [News Bar, How High The Noon, Urban Answers]

: 3 appearances [News Bar, How High The Noon, Urban Answers] Tim Kazurinsky : 3 appearances [News Bar, Saturday Night News, Face The Press]

: 3 appearances [News Bar, Saturday Night News, Face The Press] Gary Kroeger : 4 appearances [News Bar, How High The Noon, Urban Answers, Face The Press]

: 4 appearances [News Bar, How High The Noon, Urban Answers, Face The Press] Julia Louis-Dreyfus : 3 appearances [Hotline, News Bar, How High The Noon]

: 3 appearances [Hotline, News Bar, How High The Noon] Eddie Murphy : 4 appearances [Hairdressers, Hymietown, Speaking Freely, A Nickel]

: 4 appearances [Hairdressers, Hymietown, Speaking Freely, A Nickel] Joe Piscopo: 3 appearances [Hairdressers, News Bar, A Nickel]

crew and extras

Bob Christiansen : 1 appearance [News Bar]

: 1 appearance [News Bar] Butch : 1 appearance [Hairdressers]

: 1 appearance [Hairdressers] Joe Dicso : 1 appearance [Hairdressers]

: 1 appearance [Hairdressers] Pepe : 1 appearance [Hairdressers]

: 1 appearance [Hairdressers] Al Siegal: 1 appearance [Monologue]

guests

Edwin Newman : 9 appearances [Hairdressers, Monologue, Hotline, News Bar, Speaking Freely, Saturday Night News, How High The Noon, Urban Answers, Face The Press]

: 9 appearances [Hairdressers, Monologue, Hotline, News Bar, Speaking Freely, Saturday Night News, How High The Noon, Urban Answers, Face The Press] Kool and The Gang : 2 appearances ["Joanna", "Celebration"]

: 2 appearances ["Joanna", "Celebration"] Harry Anderson: 1 appearance [Guest Performance]

REBROADCAST HISTORY:

June 9, 1984

Known alterations:

Jacoby Escort Service removed

Sketches in the 03/24/84 Best Of special:

News Bar

Additional screen captures from this episode are available here.