Not only had the show lost 30 percent of its audience, It was quickly losing its edge, and critics noticed. The Washington Post said the revamped SNL traded in "haplessly pointless tastelessness," while the New York Times called it "an unfunny parody of its predecessor" that relied too heavily on racial and sexual humor. Those critics were probably right. Despite the influx of new and old writing talent, there aren't many classic sketches from the 1980-81 season that make it onto those SNL home video compilations or internet lists of the best SNL sketches.
For example, In the cold open of the season premiere, host Elliott Gould wakes up in bed with some new cast members, and each gets an equivalent to the departing, original SNL cast. For example, Ann Risley identifies herself as a cross between Gilda Radner and Laraine Newman. In other words, the show's new era began with an unfavorable comparison to its old iteration, and it was a steep slide down from there.
Charles Rocket played a religious singing telegram delivery man who shamed people for their sinful behavior...in song. The sketch was titled "Billy-Gram," a pun on the name of the Rev. Billy Graham. In "Commie Hunting," some good ol' boys try to shoot Communists. One character used the N-word. There was a five-minute-long sketch about a couple who can't remember the name of their friend's cat. "The Leather Weather Report" featured Denny Dillon as a dominatrix named Thelma Thunder giving her S&M-themed forecast.
