following the dismissal of producer jean doumanian during the show's sixth season, dick ebersol, the program's developer, was hired as doumanian's replacement. in march 1981, dick ebersol dismissed several of her cast members (repertory players gilbert gottfried, ann risley and charles rocket and featured players yvonne hudson, matthew laurance and patrick weathers). after one episode on april 11, 1981, the show was shut down for the rest of the season because of the 1981 writers guild of america strike. in the break, dick ebersol would also dismiss repertory players denny dillon and gail matthius, and featured players laurie metcalf and emily prager were not asked back as cast members.