to keep the show going, lorne michaels upgraded many of the show's writers to featured cast member status: peter aykroyd (dan's brother), jim downey, brian doyle-murray (bill's brother), don novello, tom schiller and alan zweibel. band leader paul shaffer also joined the cast, becoming the first person from the "snl" band to become a cast member. harry shearer joined the show as a featured cast member and was promoted to repertory status during the season.