We are now in a landmark year in the legacy of one of the most influential comedy shows in history now that Saturday Night Live Season 50 is here. In addition to the release of Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night movie – which dramatizes the events of the series’ first show – the sketch comedy series has a killer line-up of upcoming SNL hosts and musical guests.
Based on who's confirmed so far, this latest season of one of the greatest sketch comedy TV shows is chock-full of amazing celebrity guests, and that is not just including former cast member Maya Rudolph returning to Studio 8H to play presidential candidate Kamala Harris. We also have updates to the SNL cast to report so, not-live from wherever you are reading this, let’s get into it!
Upcoming SNL Season 50 Hosts And Musical Guests
Let's take a look at who is going to follow in the footsteps of the all-time greatest SNL hosts and musical guests by taking a deeper look at who is taking Studio 8H stage for Saturday Night Live Season 50.
Chris Rock / Gracie Adams
Date: December 14, 2024
Host: Chris Rock
# Of Previous SNL Hosting Gigs: 3
Musical Guest: Gracie Abrams
# Of Previous SNL Performances: 0
One of the best '90s-era SNL stars, Chris Rock, will grace the stage as host for the first time since Season 46. Joining the comedian for her debut as a musical guest is singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams.
Martin Short / Hozier
Date: December 21, 2024
Host: Martin Short
# Of Previous SNL Hosting Gigs: 4
Musical Guest: Hozier
# Of Previous SNL Performances: 1
The last show of 2024 will see the Five Timer's Club induction of Martin Short, whose fourth and most recent gig was a collaborative effort with his longtime friend, Steve Martin. Also making a return that night, for the first time in a decade, is Irish singer-songwriter Hozier.
Previous Saturday Night Live Season 50 Episodes
Take a look back on the highlights from SNL Season 50 so far with these brief episode recaps.
Jean Smart/Jelly Roll
Date: September 28, 2024
Host: Jean Smart
# Of Previous SNL Hosting Gigs: 0
Musical Guest: Jelly Roll
# Of Previous SNL Performances: 0
Special Guests: Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan, Andy Samberg, Dana Carvey
Emmy winner Jean Smart expressed how honored she was to cross hosting SNL off her bucket list for the 50th season premiere in her opening monologe. This followed a star-studded political cold open starring Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, comedian Jim Gaffigan as her running mate, Tim Walz, fellow former cast member Andy Samberg as her husband, Douglas Emhoff, and Dana Carvey as Presiden Joe Biden.
Smart was joined by her Hacks co-star, Hannah Einbinder, to introduce the first performance by musical guest Jelly Roll, who also made his Studio 8H debut that night. The country star performed "Liar" and "Winning Streak" off of his forthcoming album, Beautifully Broken, which releases on October 11.
Nate Bargatze / Coldplay
Date: October 5, 2024
Host: Nate Bargatze
# Of Previous SNL Hosting Gigs: 1
Musical Guest: Coldplay
# Of Previous SNL Performances: 7
Special Guests: Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan, Andy Samberg, Dana Carvey, Akiva Schaffer
A year after comedian Nate Bargatze's stellar SNL debut, he returned with a monologue about his community college experience and infatuation with Door Dash. This followed a cold open which recreated the Vice Presidential debate between J.D. Vance (Bowen Yang) and Tim Walz (Jim Gaffigan), which also saw the return of Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris, Dana Carvey as Joe Biden, and Andy Samberg as Douglas Emhoff.
Samberg also appeared alongside fellow Lonely Islander Akiva Schaffer for the first SNL Digital Short in years, in which they play pitchmen selling an idea for a "sushi glory hole." Also back at Studio 8H for their eighth appearance was musical guest Coldplay, who performed music from their latest album, Moon Music, which was released the day before.
Ariana Grande / Stevie Nicks
Date: October 12, 2024
Host: Ariana Grande
# Of Previous SNL Hosting Gigs: 1
Musical Guest: Stevie Nicks
# Of Previous SNL Performances: 1
Special Guests: Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan, Andy Samberg, Dana Carvey
The second October show of SNL Season 50 started with a Family Feud parody pitting Kamala Harris, Douglas Emhoff, Tim Walz, and Joe Biden against Donald Trump, Donald J. Trump Jr. and J.D. Vance. Then Ariana Grande (star of the upcoming Wicked movie) sang a song in which she promises not to sing and, instead, focus on hosting in her monologue, which was followed by two sketches in which she sings and another later in the show.
Someone who also played a witch once on American Horror Story, former Fleetwood Mac member Stevie Nicks, returned for her first SNL gig since 1983 that night. Her first performance was a new song called "The Lighthouse" but later performed "Edge of Seventeen" – a classic from her debut solo album, Bella Donna.
Michael Keaton / Billie Eilish
Date: October 19, 2024
Host: Michael Keaton
# Of Previous SNL Hosting Gigs: 3
Musical Guest: Billie Eilish
# Of Previous SNL Performances: 3
Special Guests: Alec Baldwin, Maya Rudolph, Dana Carvey, Andy Samberg
Host Michael Keaton's Beetlejuice co-star Alec Baldwin appeared as Fox News' Brett Baier interviewing Maya Rudolph's Kamala Harris in the cold open for SNL's fourth show of Season 50. The Academy Award nominee was then joined by Mikey Day and Andy Samberg dressed as Betelgeuse in his monologue.
Like Keaton, musical guest Billie Eilish also became one step away from joining SNL’s Five Timer’s Club that night. In addition to appearing in a TikTok parody, the Oscar and Grammy winner performed two songs off her latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft.
John Mulaney / Chappell Roan
Date: November 2, 2024
Host: John Mulaney
# Of Previous SNL Hosting Gigs: 5
Musical Guest: Chappell Roan
# Of Previous SNL Performances: 0
Special Guests: Kamala Harris, Maya Rudolph, Andy Samberg Dana Carvey, Jim Gaffigan, Sen. Tim Kaine, Pete Davidson
The last SNL Season 50 episode before the 2024 presidential election opened with Kamala Harris appearing as herself to perform the traditional mirror sketch with Maya Rudolph’s portrayal of the Vice President. Then, Five Timer’s Club member John Mulaney took the stage to perform stand-up about his new family situation and growing older.
Virginia senator Tim Kaine appeared in a new edition of the game show sketch, "What’s That Name?" and former SNL cast member Pete Davidson showed up for Mulaye's latest Broadway musical-themed segment, which took place at a Duane Reade. Musical guest Chappell Roan performed two songs, including her chart-topping hit, "Pink Pony Club," which was complimented by a seemingly Bride of Frankenstein-inspired setting. The episode ended with a brief tribute to the late Teri Garr.
Bill Burr / Mk.gee
Date: November 9, 2024
Host: Bill Burr
# Of Previous SNL Hosting Gigs: 1
Musical Guest: Mk.gee
# Of Previous SNL Performances: 0
Special Guest: Dana Carvey
Despite promising to “keep it light” with his monologue, after a quick personal anecdote, Bill Burr, from such movies and TV shows as The King of Staten Island and The Mandalorian, offered his take on the election results. This followed a cold open featuring members of the cast appearing as themselves, and Dana Carvey as Elon Musk instead of Joe Biden, showing their support for President-elect Donald Trump to avoid appearing on his list of enemies. The audience was also treated to music from indie rock artist Mk.gee, who performed two songs from his debut studio album, Two Star & the Dream Police.
Charli XCX
Date: November 16, 2024
Host and Musical Guest: Charli XCX
# Of Previous SNL Hosting Gigs: 0
# Of Previous SNL Performances: 2
Special Guests: Dana Carvey, Alec Baldwin, Kyle Mooney, Andy Samberg, Julia Fox
First-time host and third-time musical guest Charli XCX, during her monologue joined by SNL alum Kyle Mooney, asking if he is "brat." This followed a cold open that saw Dana Carvey – a week after his Elon Musk impersonation pissed off the real billionaire – back as Joe Biden opposite James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump and brought back Alec Baldwin to play Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this time.
Bowen Yang reprised his Charli XCX impression next to the English pop star herself as Troye Sivan and she also appeared with Andy Samberg in the latest SNL Digital Short – a music video for a song about an ecstatically proud snitch. Charli’s first musical performance was introduced by Uncut Gems' Julia Fox, whom Chloe Fineman would later impersonate in a “star-studded,” Thanksgiving-themed sketch.
Paul Mescal / Shaboozey
Date: December 7, 2024
Host: Paul Mescal
# Of Previous SNL Hosting Gigs: 0
Musical Guest: Shaboozey
# Of Previous SNL Performances: 0
Special Guests: Dana Carvey, David Spade, Trisha Paytas
Paul Mescal, star of Ridley Scott's Gladiator II, kicked off his SNL debut by discussing his “nude emotional scenes,” his Irish pride, and his penchant for short shorts. The monologue followed a special cold open featuring Dana Carvey back as the Church Lady, whose Church Chat guests included David Spade as Hunter Biden. Speaking of guests, internet personality Trisha Paytas appeared in a sketch poking fun at Spotify Wrapped.
Also appearing on the show for the first time was Shaboozey. The rapper had the crowd singing along to his hit, country-fried rendition of “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which was his second song after “Good News.”
THE SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE SEASON 50 CAST
The SNL Season 50 cast is going to look a little different, with a few featured members getting promoted to series regulars, a few favorite performers exiting Studio 8H, and a few new faces joining in on the fun. We cover them all below but, first, here is the full list:
- Michael Che
- Mikey Day
- Andrew Dismukes
- Chloe Fineman
- Heidi Gardner
- Marcello Hernandez
- James Austin Johnson
- Colin Jost
- Michael Longfellow
- Ego Nwodim
- Sarah Sherman
- Kenan Thompson
- Devon Walker
- Bowen Yang
- Ashley Padilla
- Emil Wakim
- Jane Wickline
New SNL Season 50 Cast Members
Now, let's introduce you to the newcomers on the SNL Season 50 cast.
Ashley Padilla
Following in the footsteps of many Groundlings members who became SNL stars, Ashley Padilla is a Los Angeles-based comedian who grew up in the Bay Area. Audiences may recognize her from her guest spots in Season 2 of NBC’s Night Court revival and the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, as well as her supporting role in the 2024 movie, Summer Camp.
Emil Wakim
According to NBC.com, Emil Wakim is a Lebanese-American comedian who has opened for Hasan Minaj and Nikki Glaser and has performed on The Tonight Show. He will be making his acting debut as a member of the SNL Season 50 cast.
Jane Wickline
Similar to the sensational comedy trio, Please Don’t Destroy, Jane Wickline began making a name for herself by posting sketches on TikTok, which is also the home of a comedy series she stars in called Stapleview. She also goes on live performance tours and can be seen in the 2024 drama, My First Film.
Full List Of SNL Season 50 Cast Members
After a successful two seasons as featured players, Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker are finally joining the main SNL cast in Season 50. Hernandez is best known for writing and performing in sketches with Pedro Pascal as his judgmental, Spanish-speaking mother, Longfellow has held his own wonderfully with monologue from behind the “Weekend Update” desk, and Walker has impressed audiences with his impersonations, such as South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. They will be joining esteemed repertory players like Chloe Fineman, Bowen Yang, and longest-running SNL cast member, Kenan Thompson.
SNL Cast Members Not Returning After Season 49
Finally, there are three talented SNL cast members who will not appear in Season 50. After four seasons, Punkie Johnson is leaving, alongside SNL’s first non-binary cast member, Molly Kearney, who debuted in Season 48, and Chloe Troast, who was only on for the 49th season, during which she demonstrated her additional singing talents in some recent favorites.
- Punkie Johnson
- Molly Kearney
- Chloe Troast
It looks like creator Lorne Michaels is still on board for Saturday Night Live Season 50, which is already primed to be one of the biggest years in the show’s history. Check back here for updates to the line-up of upcoming SNL hosts and musical guests and descriptions of previous episodes (which you can watch with a Peacock subscription) after every Saturday night!
