Saturday Night Live season 50
Saturday Night Live | |
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Season 50 | |
Release | |
Original network | NBC |
Original release | September 28, 2024 |
Season chronology | |
The fiftieth season of American sketch comedy late night television program Saturday Night Live is set to begin on September 28, 2024[1] on NBC.[2] In addition to the standard episodes hosted by celebrity guests and featuring musical acts, the series will also have several months of acknowledgements, leading to a three-hour celebratory special retrospective, which is set to air on February 16, 2025.[1]
Cast
Repertory players |
Featured players |
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bold denotes "Weekend Update" anchor
Production
In late 2021, long-time producer Lorne Michaels stated that he was committed to continuing on the series through the fiftieth season (at the time, the show was in its forty-seventh) and suggested that he may retire afterward.[3] The subsequent year, Kenan Thompson speculated that the series may end if Michaels left, saying, "He's the one that's had his touch on the whole thing . . . It opens the opportunity for a lot of bullshit to come into the game because he's such a legend that he keeps off those corporate wolves."[4] During season forty-nine, Michaels suggested that 2000s-era member Tina Fey could take over, but insisted that he would finish the next season before any dramatic changes.[5] He reiterated these plans in May, when a fiftieth anniversary special was announced that would celebrate the series' history on February 16, 2025.[6] Prior to the season start around September 2024, NBC will begin retrospectives on the show with their mid-year coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics,[2] and Michaels intends to bring back everyone from the previous decades as well as hosts and a variety of musical guests who have helped shape the show.[7]
On July 31, it was announced that Maya Rudolph would return to portray vice president and presidential nominee Kamala Harris through the 2024 election season.[8] The next day, cast member Punkie Johnson announced that she would be leaving the show after four years.[9] On August 2, cast member Molly Kearney announced their departure after two seasons as a featured player.[10] On September 9, it was announced that Chloe Troast would also be departing after one season as a featured player.[11] On the same day, it was announced that three new cast members would be hired as featured players: Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline. Featured players Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker, who joined the cast prior to season 48, will be promoted to repertory status.[11]
Coinciding with the fiftieth season, a feature film about the events leading up to the show's premiere on October 11, 1975 will open in theaters on October 11, 2024.[12]
References
- ^ a b Martinez, Kelly (July 16, 2024). "'Saturday Night Live' Sets Season 50 Premiere Date". LateNighter. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ a b Dibdin, Emma (April 26, 2024). "Will 'SNL' End With Season 50? Everything to Know About the Show's Milestone Season". TV. Parade. ISSN 1049-0434. OCLC 21114137. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Brathwaite, Lester Fabian (December 20, 2022). "Lorne Michaels eyeing retirement from SNL at show's 50th anniversary—in 3 years". TV. Entertainment Weekly. ISSN 1049-0434. OCLC 21114137. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Netzley, Sara (July 29, 2022). "Kenan Thompson explains why Saturday Night Live ending after season 50 'might not be a bad idea'". TV. Entertainment Weekly. ISSN 1049-0434. OCLC 21114137. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (January 17, 2024). "'SNL' Without Lorne Michaels? "It Could Easily be Tina Fey," Creator Says". TV > TV News. The Hollywood Reporter. ISSN 0018-3660. OCLC 44653726. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 10, 2024). "'SNL' to Mark 50th Anniversary With a Live Primetime Special (on a Sunday)". TV > TV News. The Hollywood Reporter. ISSN 0018-3660. OCLC 44653726. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ White, Abbey (September 24, 2022). "Lorne Michaels Credits Pandemic for 'SNL' Cast Exodus, Teases Plans for 50th Anniversary: "We'll Bring Everyone Back"". TV > TV News. The Hollywood Reporter. ISSN 0018-3660. OCLC 44653726. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie; White, Peter (July 31, 2024). "Maya Rudolph To Play Kamala Harris On 'Saturday Night Live' Through 2024 Presidential Election". Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ White, Peter (August 1, 2024). "Punkie Johnson Leaving 'SNL' After 4 Seasons". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
- ^ Petski, Denise (August 2, 2024). "Molly Kearney Exiting 'Saturday Night Live' Ahead Of 50th Season". Deadline. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (September 10, 2024). "'SNL' Adds Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim & Jane Wickline To Cast For Season 50, Promotes Trio As Chloe Troast Departs". Deadline. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 1, 2024). "'Saturday Night' Is Quite Alive For Awards Season: What The Critics Are Saying Out Of Telluride World Premiere". Deadline. Retrieved September 10, 2024.