Nick Nolte was scheduled to host but he became too ill (he was hungover from a night of partying at Studio 54), so his 48 Hrs. (1982) co-star (and SNL cast member), Eddie Murphy took over as host. He became the only cast member to host while still a regular. Murphy opened the show with the phrase, "Live from New York, It's the Eddie Murphy Show!" The decision to have Murphy host upset the rest of the cast especially Joe Piscopo, who wanted to host the show as Frank Sinatra.
This was the only appearance by Steve Martin in an episode not produced by Lorne Michaels (seasons 6-10)
The photographs of the host used for all bumpers and also in the opening credits were of originally scheduled host Nick Nolte with Eddie Murphy's face crudely pasted over Nolte's.