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When is the next ‘Saturday Night Live’ show? SNL season 50 release date
The comedy sketch show returns this month with three new faces joining the cast as featured players. Let’s look at what’s in store.
It’s that time of year - Saturday Night Live is set to return as the comedy sketch show, which first aired in 1975, gears up for Season 50. It will be particularly intriguing to see how the political landscape and its protagonists are dealt with, mocked and ridiculed during the episodes that run up to the US general election on 5 November.
Hosts and musical guests already confirmed for SNL 50
Jean Smart, who earlier this month picked up the Outstanding Lead Actress Emmy award for her performance in Hacks, has been conformed as the guest host for the first episode of the new series. Providing the musical entertainment will be Jelly Roll, who will be taking a break in his Beautifully Broken nationwide tour to make his first appearance on SNL.
The following week, Nate Bargatze takes over hosting duties - the comedian making his second appearance as compere, almost exactly a year after making his SNL debut. Coldplay, whose new album, Moon Music hits stores on 4 October will be supplying the music for episode 2.
Saturday Night Live Season 50 hosts and musical guests
September 28
- Host: Jean Smart
- Musical guest: Jelly Roll
October 5
- Host: Nate Bargatze
- Musical guest: Coldplay
October 12
- Host: Ariana Grande
- Musical guest: Stevie Nicks
October 19
- Host: Michael Keaton
- Musical guest: Billie Eilish
November 2
- Host: John Mulaney
- Musical guest: Chappell Roan
Cast members rule themselves out of SNL Season 50
Three cast members will definitely not be involved in SNL Season 50. Punkie Johnson, the first openly black queer woman to feature on the show, has confirmed she won’t be taking part. In a video posted on her Instagram page, the 39-year-old comedian said, “SNL was a dream I didn’t even know I could achieve. I just want to let y’all know that after four seasons I will not be returning to ‘SNL’ for the 50th. I ain’t coming back. It’s no bad blood, it’s no hard feelings”.
Molly Kearney, who joined as a featured player in Season 48, also announced last month that she won’t be coming back as the show hits its half century. “Yall that’s a wrap on my time on SNL!” she posted on Instagram. “Reflecting on the amazing 2 seasons I got on this show, it was such a dream come true. So incredibly grateful for this period in my life. So much love to all my big hearted buddies behind the scenes who make the magic happen every week. So many bald caps, so little time. It was a true honor to work with such a talented group of writers and DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE CAST. Head up and heart out! Harold forever!!!!!”
Chloe Troast, who joined the SNL cast last year, has also not been asked back for Season 50.
When will SNL Season 50 air?
The date for Saturday Night Live’s season 50 premiere episode will air Saturday 28 September at at 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock as well as several several live TV streaming services such as Sling TV and Fubo.
NBC has now announced the full cast members for Season 50 and revealed three news faces who join as featured players: Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline.
Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker have been promoted to the main cast which features returning favorites: James Austin Johnson, Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman, Andrew Dismukes, Ego Nwodim, Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner, Bowen Yang and Kenan Thompson.
Season 49 regularly drew a TV audience of over 5 million viewers, with episode 17 featuring Chris Stapleton topping the ratings with 8.9 million. It ranked as the 2023-24 TV season’s top-rated comedy series, with an average demo rating of 1.1.