NEW YORK (AP) – The new season of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) premieres with excitement as it introduces a mix of new and returning talent. Following a monumental 50th season that celebrated the show's legacy, SNL is now gearing up for its 51st season with an updated cast that features five new featured players. Music superstar Bad Bunny is set to kick off the season as the host on Saturday.
Bad Bunny has been in the spotlight this week, having been announced as the headline act for the Super Bowl halftime show. The artist is also finishing up a historic residency in Puerto Rico on Saturday, which marks the culmination of a significant phase in his career. This will be his second time hosting SNL, and he will be joined by musical guest Doja Cat, who will be making her debut in that role.
Following Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler and Sabrina Carpenter will take the stage in the coming weeks. Both were standout performers during the 50th-anniversary celebrations, with Bad Bunny showcasing his talents at the "SNL50: The Homecoming Concert" and serving as the final musical guest of the season. Poehler will host the episode airing on October 11, which marks the 50th anniversary of the very first SNL episode that aired on October 11, 1975. She will be accompanied by first-time musical guest Role Model.
Sabrina Carpenter will perform duties as both host and musical guest on October 18, continuing the trend of star-studded episodes that had characterized SNL's previous season. The show’s revamped cast comes after several notable departures, which included Ego Nwodim and Devon Walker, as well as Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow. Ben Marshall, already an established writer on the show, will transition into a featured player role alongside newcomers Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.
Nwodim and Walker confirmed their exits on social media last month, while multiple outlets reported that Heidi Gardner would also be leaving the show, although this has not been confirmed by Gardner or NBC. The significant changes come on the heels of SNL's success in the awards arena, with the show picking up 12 Emmys last month for its 50th season and anniversary programming, which includes an award for outstanding variety special.
Lorne Michaels, the creator of SNL, reflected on the show's legacy while accepting an Emmy, reminiscing about winning his first award 50 years ago in 1975. Michaels emphasized that he never envisioned being involved with the same show for another 50 years, highlighting the unpredictable nature of creative endeavors such as SNL.
As SNL prepares for its 51st season, the blend of fresh talent and celebrated names promises to create an engaging viewing experience, setting the stage for another exciting chapter in the show's storied history.
