Saturday Night Live Season 50
Cast
Repertory players |
Featured players |
|
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. 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." 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. He reiterated these plans in May, when a fiftieth anniversary special was announced that would celebrate the series' history on February 16, 2025. 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, 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.
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. The next day, cast member Punkie Johnson announced that she would be leaving the show after four years. On August 2, cast member Molly Kearney announced their departure after two seasons as a featured player. On September 9, it was announced that Chloe Troast would also be departing after one season as a featured player. 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. This season also marks Kenan Thompson's 20th season as a repertory cast member, becoming one during the 31st Season in 2005.
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.
References
- ^ Martinez, Kelly (July 16, 2024). "'Saturday Night Live' Sets Season 50 Premiere Date". LateNighter. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.