Apart from being 60 minutes in length and entirely pre-recorded, the show is similar in format to Michaels' own Saturday Night Live.

Several former original cast members and hosts from SNL's 1970s era made appearances throughout the series' short run, including Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner, Steve Martin, and Buck Henry.

Michaels brought a lot of the Saturday Night Live crew with him for The New Show, including many of the writers from the 79-80 season.

In addition to himself, Michaels hired former SNL writers Tom Davis, Al Franken, Tom Gammill, Sarah Paley, Max Pross, and Alan Zweibel, along with Jim Downey, who Michaels made head writer.

Valri Bromfield, Buck Henry, and Dave Thomas all served as writers in addition to their duties as cast members.