Live from New York, it’s fifty years of Saturday Nights! The fiftieth season of Saturday Night Live debuts on September 28. If both the celebration of 40 years of SNL and what we know about the season so far are any indication, this year will be one for the ages.
In 1975, Dick Ebersol and Lorne Michaels brought the iconic sketch comedy show to the airwaves. The late-night live show has become the launching pad for comedy greats, the spotlight for hilarious icons, and the microphone for up-and-coming and already legendary musicians.
Here are just a few things to expect from SNL‘s half-century celebration.
This Season’s Cast
Returning members we can expect to see include:
- Michael Che
- Mikey Day
- Andrew Dismukes
- Chloe Fineman
- Heidi Gardner
- James Austin Johnson
- Colin Jost
- Ego Nwodim
- Sarah Sherman
- Kenan Thompson (he’s been on SNL since 2003, making him the longest tenured cast member, ever)
- Bowen Yang
- Marcello Hernández
- Michael Longfellow
- Devon Walker
This season will also see the SNL debut of Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline. Notably not on this season’s cast list is Chloe Troast, who recently posted to Instagram that she was not asked to return this year. In early August, Punkie Johnson also announced her decision to leave the show after a four-season run.
Killer Hosts and Musical Guests, Of Course
The hosts and musical guests for the first five episodes have already been announced:
- September 28: Jean Smart and Jelly Roll
- October 5: Nate Bargatze and Coldplay
- October 12: Ariana Grande and Stevie Nicks
- October 19: Michael Keaton and Billie Eilish
- November 2: John Mulaney and Chappell Roan
Hoards of Alum
Though many have come and gone from the halls of Studio 8H — and many have made huge names for themselves after leaving SNL — you can expect to see a lot of alumni return to the stage this season.
You can definitely expect to see many from the Five-Timers club, the “club” of people who have hosted the show at least five times (they get fancy jackets, too). Perhaps you can also expect those who have hosted more than five times, including Alec Baldwin (he has hosted the show the most, a whopping 17 times), Steve Martin, and Tom Hanks.
Other notable alumni we hope will make an appearance? Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Jimmy Fallon, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Seth Meyers, Andy Samberg (and maybe the Lonely Island), Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, and Pete Davidson, which really only covers a portion of the insanity of talent and iconic performances who graced the stages of SNL.
A Grand, Primetime, 50th Birthday Extravaganza
For year 40, SNL hosted the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special, that included dozens of alumni, as well as odes to great sketches of the past, revisiting former cast members’ auditions, and reminiscing.
This year’s spectacle is already scheduled for February 16, 2025, primetime on NBC. We can only dream of what we’ll witness, but it seems that Michaels and his team have been planning it for a while.
‘Saturday Night’
This year will bring us Saturday Night (2024), a biopic depicting the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. The movie will premiere the night the show premiered: October 11.
Many Impressions, Especially Politicians
Though SNL and its cast are known for their impressions — sometimes even blending reality with hilarity — election years are always notable.
Many fabulous comedians have brought their own flair to politicians (like Tina Fey’s impression of Sarah Palin, Amy Poehler and Kate McKinnon’s impressions of Hilary Clinton, and Alec Baldwin’s impression of Donald Trump). As the 2024 Presidential Election nears, SNL will be back in full-force to add some brevity to politics. Maya Rudolph has already agreed to return in her role as Kamala Harris. We expect James Austin Johnson to continue his position as Donald Trump. We also look forward to learning who Michaels has cast as JD Vance and Tim Walz. Even Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, has weighed in on SNL’s casting decisions.
Definitely More Cowbell
Ready to start reliving fifty years of SNL? Check out some faves from the NCrew:
The Science Room with Jason Sudeikis
The Cast List
P.J. Doesn’t Fit Into Women’s Group
School Hypnotist
Diner Lobster
I’m Just Pete
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