Since 1975, Americans have looked forward to hearing, “Live from New York, It’s Saturday Night!” echo from their televisions. Saturday Night Live, an iconic late-night sketch comedy show, is now entering its 50th season- and fans are wondering what to expect.
Other than being known for its satirical humor, celebrity impersonations, and political comedy, there is one thing that has always truly made SNL special- the incredible cast. Season 50 will still feature cast members that viewers know and love, but will also include some new faces. Jane Wickline, currently best known for her TikTok sketches and large following, has now made it to the big screen- starring as a member of SNL’s latest season. Emil Wakim will also be joining SNL for season 50 this year. He was recently crowned as a New Face of Comedy at the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal in 2022, and made his first TV appearance on The Tonight Show that same year. Finally, theater actress Ashley Padilla joins the group of newcomers, creating an exciting group of comedians that viewers can look forward to familiarizing themselves with. Fans of SNL can also expect to see the show’s veterans, such as Keenan Thompson, Mikey Day, Colin Jost, and Heidi Gardner.
A new season also means new hysterical content, and the timing couldn’t get better. Part of what makes Saturday Night Live so iconic is its daring political humor, and America can expect more. Released on September 28th, SNL is just in time to catch the last of the 2024 presidential election, yet although the race is ending soon, the show’s constant flow of political impersonations won’t be. Americans can expect to see more of Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris and several of the cast members as Donald Trump.
As well as entertaining viewers with comedy, SNL is known for featuring several popular musicians as musical guests on the show. As the new season begins, SNL announced their starting lineup of musical guests. The first 5 episodes of season 50 include Jelly Roll, Coldplay, and Stevie Nicks. The lineup proves to be promising for viewers young and old, giving the show’s lovers even more to look forward to this season. Artists who have recently released music, such as Chappel Roan and Billie Eilish, add even more excitement to the list. Pop-singer Chappel Roan, who recently rose to fame, will be making her debut on the SNL stage. Billie Eilish, although a returning musical guest, is sure to entertain with hits from her new album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.
Finally, a 50th birthday can’t go past without a celebration. Lorne Michaels, creator and producer of Saturday Night Live, says that the show’s 50th birthday will be a “big event.” “It will be a very emotional and very strong thing,” says Michaels. Fans of SNL, old and new, can look forward to this exciting new season and all of the emotions it will bring forth.
