a year later, he was hired by "saturday night live" head writer michael o'donoghue (who had solicited contributions from southern as editor of "national lampoon" a decade earlier) to write for the 1981–82 series of the nbc show in his efforts to revitalize the then-floundering sketch comedy program. this controversial period, which followed the departure of the last members of the original cast and founding producer lorne michaels, is widely regarded as the lowest point of the series' history. according to carol southern, it was "the only job he ever held". despite his longstanding acquaintance with o'donoghue and his penchant for the alcohol, cocaine and cannabis that flowed liberally backstage, southern had trouble fitting in stylistically with the younger writers; many of his ideas and sketches were rejected by the staff and new producer dick ebersol for being too subtle, sexually gratuitous, or overly political.