The character first appeared during the show's debut season in the fall of 1975 as a response to the release of the film Jaws[1] and the subsequent hysteria over purported shark sightings.
It is capable of disguising its voice, and generally preys on young, single women.The sketch depicted the Land Shark (voiced by Chevy Chase) attacking several people after knocking on their doors, pretending to be repairmen, door-to-door salesmen, and the like.
Once the intended victim opens the door, the Land Shark quickly enters and attacks them.
The women were played by regulars Laraine Newman, Jane Curtin, and Gilda Radner, and guest host Lily Tomlin, who is seen being attacked at the last minute.
As Tomlin's character is being attacked at the end, only Belushi’s self-absorbed, oblivious Hooper is still alive.
In a sketch titled "Trick-or-Treating Land Shark", having lured Gilda Radner out of her home by claiming to be with UNICEF, the shark attacks her, then pops his head back through the doorway, opening its mouth to reveal Chevy Chase, who announces, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"
Titled "Lucky Lindy", the shark meets aviator Charles Lindbergh, played by Buck Henry, on a transatlantic flight.
Chevy Chase hosted the eighth season premiere on September 25, 1982, live via satellite from the West Coast (he was represented by a TV on the set which interacted with the other performers).
During Weekend Update, as Tina Fey introduces a segment about that year's spate of shark attacks, the Land Shark knocks at the door to the newsroom, then attacks Tina Fey.
Fey initially appears to be right: Matt Foley (played by Melissa McCarthy) appears, giving one of his traditional motivational speeches, but behind Foley is the Land Shark (this time played by Bobby Moynihan[6]), who again attempts to eat Fey.
Curtin and Poehler work to free Fey from the shark's jaws as the sketch closes.