It's always a special occasion when Saturday Night Live returns in the fall — but even more so in 2024, as the trailblazing sketch show kicks off its 50th season with Host Jean Smart and Musical Guest Jelly Roll.
How to Watch
Watch Saturday Night LiveSaturdays at 11:30/10:30c onNBC andPeacock,streaming next day on Peacock.
Mark your calendars: SNL's Season 50 premieres on September 28! New episodes air on NBC and simulcast livewith a Peacock Premiumsubscription, streaming next day on Peacock.
And while the coming season will bring all of the hilarious sketches and "Weekend Update" installments you'd expect — plus three new faces in the cast — the 2024-2025 cycle is also a celebration of the show's legacy.SNLwill honor its 50th anniversary the weekend of February 15, with a three-hour live primetime special that Sunday evening.
RELATED: Watch Jean Smart'sSNLSketches from September 28
Who is hostingSaturday Night Live's premiere?
Jean Smart. Jelly Roll will be the Musical Guest.
Jean Smart attends an Emmy Nominee Celebration on August 11, 2024; Jelly Roll at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards held on September 15, 2024. Photo: Michael Buckner/Variety/Getty Images; Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty Images
Saturday Night Livehas announced the Hosts and Musical Guest for the first five shows:
September 28: Jean Smart with Musical Guest Jelly Roll
October 5: Nate Bargatze with Musical Guest Coldplay
October 12: Ariana Grande with Musical Guest Stevie Nicks
October 19: Michael Keaton with Musical Guest Billie Eilish
November 2: John Mulaney with Musical Guest Chappell Roan
RELATED:Saturday Night Live Is Celebrating 50 Years with a Three-Hour Primetime Special
When does SNL Season 50 premiere?
WatchSaturday Night Live's return forSeason 50 at 11:30 p.m. on NBC and Peacock, streaming next day on Peacock.
Mikey Day as Danny, Andrew Dismukes as Tyler, and host Ayo Edebiri as Annie during the “Why’d You Say It” sketch on Saturday Night Live Episode 1855, Saturday, February 3, 2024. Photo: Will Heath/NBC
SNLadds threenew cast members
There'll be some new talent on the Studio 8H stage this fall, as the show's added three new Featured Players:Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline.
Ashley Padilla has been a member of L.A.'s Groundlings Main Company since 2021 (SNLluminaries like Will Ferrell, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig and Phil Hartman all cut their teeth as Groundlings performers). She hails from the San Francisco Bay Area.
Emil Wakim is a Lebanese-American stand-up comic, actor, and writer. Per SNL'sbio, Wakim was a New Face of Comedy at the 2022 Just for Laughs Comedy Festival.
And Wakim's no stranger to 30 Rockefeller Center: He performed onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonin 2022. Born in Chicago, Wakim was raised in the Midwest, largely in Bloomington, Indiana.
Emil Wakim performs on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Episode 1630 on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Photo: Todd Owyoung/NBC
Jane Wicklineis a sketch performer who'll be familiar if you've seen Tik Tok's live "Stapleview" comedy show. Wickline is from Los Angeles.
The multi-talented comedian also plays a mean trumpet, per a 2020 post from her Instagram.
RELATED:Why the First Saturday Night Live Cast Were Called The Not Ready for Prime Time Players
While Season 49 cast members Chloe Troast, Molly Kearney, and Punkie Johnson are not returning for Season 50,Marcello Hernández,Michael LongfellowandDevon Walker have been promoted to Repertory Player status.
How to watch theSaturday Night Live50th anniversary special
SNLwill celebrate its 50th anniversary with a weekend-long look back at the late-night sketch series, culminating in a three-hour live primetime special. The program will air Sunday, February 16, 2025 from 8-11 p.m. E.T. on NBC.
There will be more announcements in the coming months with additional info aboutSNL's historic 50th anniversary celebration — so block off your calendars for February 2025 now.
SNL closedout its 49th season back in May 2024 with a three-week run of newepisodes hosted byDua Lipa,Maya Rudolph, andJake Gyllenhaal. It was the #1 entertainment series across broadcast and cable in the 18-49 demo.
Chloe Fineman as Ella Emhoff, host Maya Rudolph as Vice President Kamala Harris, Martin Short as Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff during the "Kamala" sketch on Saturday Night Live on March 27, 2021. Photo: Will Heath/NBC
Saturday Night Live's2024 Emmy nominations
Saturday Night Livewas nominated for 18 Emmys, including Outstanding Scripted Variety Series.SNLcast members and Hosts also received recognition for standout work, withBowen Yangnominated for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Maya Rudolph snagged a nod in Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her hosting gig on May 11, and Kristen Wiig was nominated in the same category for herApril 6 episode.
April 13 Host Ryan Gosling received a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
SNL's excellent BTS content earned recognition as well, with its digital"Saturday Night Live Presents: Behind The Sketch"earning a nom for Outstanding Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series.
RELATED:Saturday Night Live Just Won Big at the Emmys — Especially for Ryan Gosling's Episode
Ryan Gosling during the Monologue on Saturday Night Live Episode 1861, Saturday, April 13, 2024. Photo: Will Heath/NBC
How many episodes are in a season ofSNL?
With few exceptions over the years,Saturday Night Liveseasons run between 18-22 episodes a season.
Originally published Sep 10, 2024.