brian doyle-murray returned as the only writer from the previous season. pamela norris and terry sweeney were also hired; the latter would become a cast member in 1985. musician and smothers brothers comedy hour writer mason williams was the season's first head writer but left after clashing with doumanian. jeremy stevens and tom moore joined as head writers for the remaining doumanian shows. michael o'donoghue was rehired after doumanian's firing.