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That's the news, and I am outta here!
—Dennis Miller signing off for the final time, May 18, 1991

Saturday Night Live began its sixteenth season on September 29, 1990, with an episode hosted by Kyle MacLachlan with musical guest Sinéad O'Connor, and ending on May 18, 1991, with an episode hosted by George Wendt with musical guest Elvis Costello.

This was the first season without Nora Dunn and Jon Lovitz as regular cast members since season 11. Replacing them were new hires Chris Farley and Chris Rock, who were placed into a new "middle" cast category, separated from the featured and repertory cast. Rob Schneider, Julia Sweeney, David Spade, Adam Sandler, and Tim Meadows joined mid-season as featured players or "middle" category players.

This would be the final season for longtime cast members Dennis Miller, Jan Hooks, and A. Whitney Brown. Hooks left on her own terms at the end of the season, and Brown left the show mid-season to move on to other acting opportunities. Miller, who also departed at the end of the season, was at the time the longest running anchor of Weekend Update, having done the job for six full seasons, until Seth Meyers broke the record in season 38. However, Miller still holds the record as the longest solo anchor of Weekend Update as Meyers was paired with Amy Poehler in his first three seasons on Weekend Update and Cecily Strong in his final season on the show.

Their fellow castmate Phil Hartman had planned on leaving the show alongside them, but was convinced to stay on

Cast[]

S16

S16

Opening sequence used for seasons 16-19, showing the middle cast category.

Starting this season, the cast was divided into three groups. A middle group was created; these cast members were shown in video clips like the repertory cast (as opposed to still photos, which were and had been used for featured players). This new category would be introduced with the word "with", though "with" was sometimes used to introduce the repertory players (Don Pardo variously used "with" or "starring"). The first members were two new cast members, Chris Farley and Chris Rock; Tim Meadows and Julia Sweeney were placed into this group mid-season.

Repertory[]

Dana s16
Dana Carvey
Phil s16
Phil Hartman
Jan s16
Jan Hooks
Victoria s16
Victoria Jackson
Dennis s16
Dennis Miller
Mike s16
Mike Myers
 
Kevin s16
Kevin Nealon

Also starring[]

Chris s16
Chris Farley
Tim s16
Tim Meadows
Chrisr s16
Chris Rock
Julia s16
Julia Sweeney

Featured[]

Whitney s16
A. Whitney Brown
Al s16
Al Franken
Adam s16
Adam Sandler
Rob s16
Rob Schneider
David s16
David Spade

Changes[]

  • Rob Schneider: First October 27
  • David Spade: First November 10
  • Julia Sweeney: First November 10
  • Adam Sandler: First February 9
  • Tim Meadows: First February 9
  • A. Whitney Brown: Last March 16

Gallery[]

Alternative-S16-Logo

Logo was used for the first-half of season 16.

Births[]

Episode Guide[]

Episode Number Air Date Host(s) Musical Guest(s)
287 (16.1) September 29, 1990 Kyle MacLachlan Sinéad O'Connor
288 (16.2) October 6, 1990 Susan Lucci Hothouse Flowers
289 (16.3) October 20, 1990 George Steinbrenner The Time
290 (16.4) October 27, 1990 Patrick Swayze Mariah Carey
291 (16.5) November 10, 1990 Jimmy Smits World Party
292 (16.6) November 17, 1990 Dennis Hopper Paul Simon
293 (16.7) December 1, 1990 John Goodman Faith No More
294 (16.8) December 8, 1990 Tom Hanks Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians
295 (16.9) December 15, 1990 Dennis Quaid The Neville Brothers
296 (16.10) January 12, 1991 Joe Mantegna Vanilla Ice
297 (16.11) January 19, 1991 Sting
298 (16.12) February 9, 1991 Kevin Bacon INXS
299 (16.13) February 16, 1991 Roseanne Barr Dee-Lite
300 (16.14) February 23, 1991 Alec Baldwin Whitney Houston
301 (16.15) March 16, 1991 Michael J. Fox The Black Crowes
302 (16.16) March 23, 1991 Jeremy Irons Fishbone
303 (16.17) April 13, 1991 Catherine O'Hara R.E.M.
304 (16.18) April 20, 1991 Steven Seagal Michael Bolton
305 (16.19) May 11, 1991 Delta Burke Chris Isaak
306 (16.20) May 18, 1991 George Wendt Elvis Costello
Preceded by:
Season 15
Season 16
(1990— 1991)
Followed by:
Season 17
Seasons
 
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