‘Saturday Night Live’: All The New Can’t-Miss Hosts and Performers for SNL’s 50th Anniversary Fall Season

Kicking off the season on September 28th is the six time Emmy winner Jean Smart, making her highly-anticipated SNL hosting debut. Fresh off her Emmy triumph as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for “Hacks”, Smart is poised to bring her inimitable comedic prowess to Studio 8H. Joining her as the inaugural musical guest is the Grammy-nominated Jelly Roll, whose soulful tunes and electrifying stage presence are sure to captivate audiences.

The laughter continues on October 5th with stand-up sensation Nate Bargatze at the helm. Following his viral “Washington’s Dream” sketch last season, Bargatze’s second SNL outing is hotly anticipated. Accompanying him on this comedic voyage are the legendary rockers Coldplay, making their eighth appearance on the iconic stage. Fans can expect an aural extravaganza as the band promotes their forthcoming album, “Moon Music.”

October 12th promises to be a night of pure enchantment as pop icon Ariana Grande returns to host, her second time gracing the SNL stage. Grande will be hosting as a part of the promotional tour for “Wicked“. But the musical guest? None other than the incomparable Stevie Nicks, who will grace Studio 8H as the musical guest, a staggering 40 years after her debut appearance in 1983. This pairing of vocal titans is sure to leave audiences spellbound.

The star-studded lineup continues on October 19th with Michael Keaton at the hosting helm. Hot off the success of “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” Keaton’s fourth SNL outing is poised to be a comedic tour de force. Joining him is none other than the boundary-pushing Billie Eilish, whose fourth musical guest stint coincides with the promotion of her album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft” that came out in May. Billie will perform at SNL following three concerts at Madison Square Garden on October 16-18.

Capping off the initial wave of announcements is a double-whammy on November 2nd. First, former SNL writer John Mulaney returns for his sixth hosting gig, fresh off the Broadway debut of his play “All In: Comedy About Love.” But the real revelation? Breakout pop sensation Chappell Roan, whose infectious hits like “Good Luck, Babe!” have catapulted her to the forefront of the music scene, making her SNL musical guest debut.

As the show celebrates its golden anniversary, some cast changes are afoot. Punkie Johnson, a four-season veteran, bid farewell, citing her discomfort with the sketch format. Meanwhile, featured players Molly Kearney and Chloe Troast departed, with the latter revealing she wasn’t asked back. On the flip side, Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker earned well-deserved promotions to the main cast, joined by newcomers Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline.

Returning cast members include Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, James Austin Johnson, Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, Bowen Yang, and “Weekend Update” anchors Michael Che and Colin Jost. And with Vice President Kamala Harris on the campaign trail, Emmy winner Maya Rudolph’s reprisal of her acclaimed impression is eagerly awaited.

Coinciding with SNL’s 50th season is the release of Jason Reitman’s biographical film, “Saturday Night.” The movie, which chronicles the show’s storied history, will premiere in select cities on September 27th before a wider release in October, adding an extra layer of excitement to this milestone year.

As Saturday Night Live enters its fifth decade, its ability to remain a cultural touchstone and a launchpad for comedic talent is undeniable. With a star-studded lineup and a commitment to pushing boundaries, this golden season promises to be a testament to the show’s enduring relevance and its pivotal role in shaping the landscape of American comedy.

Fans around the globe are abuzz with anticipation as SNL prepares to raise the curtain on its 50th season. With a lineup that reads like a who’s-who of entertainment royalty, this golden jubilee is poised to be a celebration of comedic genius, musical artistry, and the enduring power of laughter. Buckle up, folks – it’s going to be a wild ride!