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Saturday Night Live season 50

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The fiftieth season of the American sketch comedy late night television program Saturday Night Live premiered on September 28, 2024[1] on NBC and Peacock,[2] with host Jean Smart and musical guest Jelly Roll.[3] In addition to the standard episodes hosted by celebrity guests and featuring musical acts, the series will also have several months of acknowledgements, leading to a three-hour celebratory 50th anniversary special retrospective, which is set to air on February 16, 2025.[4]

Saturday Night Live
Season 50
No. of episodes7
Release
Original networkNBC & Peacock
Original releaseSeptember 28, 2024 (2024-09-28) –
present
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 49
List of episodes

This season is occasionally marketed with art titling it SNL50: The Anniversary Season.

Cast

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Prior to the start of the season, Punkie Johnson, who had been on the show for four seasons since 2020, and featured player Molly Kearney, who had been on the show for two seasons since 2022, decided not to return following the end of the previous season. Following Johnson and Kearney's departures, fellow featured player Chloe Troast was let go after only one season on the show.[5]

The show subsequently hired three new cast members: Ashley Padilla of The Groundlings, stand-up comic Emil Wakim, and TikTok sketch comedian Jane Wickline.

Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker, all of whom joined the cast in 2022, were promoted to repertory status.

In addition, SNL alums Dana Carvey, Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg and actor/stand-up comic Jim Gaffigan, play Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff and Tim Walz, respectively, in the leadup to the November 5, 2024 presidential election.[6]

bold denotes "Weekend Update" anchor

Writers

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Main article: List of Saturday Night Live writers § Season 50 (2024–25)

Prior to the start of the season, Allie Levitan, Moss Perricone and Carl Tart joined the writing staff. In addition, writers Dan Bulla (who has written for the show since 2019) and Auguste White (who joined the writing staff back in 2022) have been promoted to writing supervisors, joining alongside current supervisors Celeste Yim and Will Stephen.[7]

Additionally, writer Rosebud Baker (who joined the writing staff back in 2022) is now named as a writer for Weekend Update.[8]

Sudi Green (who was previously a writer on the show from 2015 to 2021) returned as a writer, for the first-half of the season, to fill in for Yim, who is taking a break from the show.[8]

Production

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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.[9] 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."[10] 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.[11] He reiterated these plans in May, when a fiftieth anniversary special was announced that would celebrate the series' history on February 16, 2025.[12] However, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter just before the season started, Michaels denied that he would be retiring at the end of the season.[13] Prior to the season start on September 28, NBC will begin retrospectives on the show with their mid-year coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics,[2] 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.[14]

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.[15] The next day, cast member Punkie Johnson announced that she would be leaving the show after four years.[16] On August 2, cast member Molly Kearney announced their departure after two seasons as a featured player.[17] On September 9, it was announced that Chloe Troast would also be departing after one season as a featured player.[18] 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 along with Kearney prior to season 48, will be promoted to repertory status.[18] This season also marks Kenan Thompson's 20th season in the repertory cast, having joined during the 31st season in 2005.

Coinciding with the fiftieth season, the biographical film Saturday Night, directed by Jason Reitman, was released in theaters by Columbia Pictures on October 11, 2024, after a limited theatrical release on September 27, depicting the story of the show's tumultuous premiere on NBC.[19]

Episodes

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Main article: List of Saturday Night Live episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		Host [20]Musical guest [20]Original air date [20]U.S. viewers
(millions)
9691Jean SmartJelly RollSeptember 28, 2024 (2024-09-28)5.39[23]

  • Jelly Roll performs "Liar" and "Winning Streak" and appears in the cut-for-time "Blonde Dragon People" sketch.
  • Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan, Andy Samberg, and Dana Carvey appear as Kamala Harris, Tim Walz, Doug Emhoff, and Joe Biden, respectively, in the cold open.
    • Additionally, Samberg appears in the cut-for-time "Blonde Dragon People" sketch.
  • This episode marks the debut of a new arrangement of the theme song.
  • Smart sings "I Happen to Like New York" in her opening monologue.
  • Before the goodnights, a photo of Tom McCarthy, former senior vice president and global chief security officer for NBC, who died July 10, is shown in silence.
  • Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline’s first episode as cast members.
  • In versions distributed online and internationally, the "Textbook Writer" sketch is amended to include a shot from the dress rehearsal version, owing to a props error made by Smart in the live program.[22]
  • According to NBC, this is the most-watched episode ever on Peacock, "through the first weekend".[23]
9702Nate BargatzeColdplayOctober 5, 2024 (2024-10-05)4.76[24]

9713Ariana GrandeStevie NicksOctober 12, 2024 (2024-10-12)5.57[26]

9724Michael KeatonBillie EilishOctober 19, 2024 (2024-10-19)4.77[27]

9735John MulaneyChappell RoanNovember 2, 2024 (2024-11-02)6.59[29]

9746Bill BurrMk.geeNovember 9, 2024 (2024-11-09)4.42[31]

  • Mk.gee performs "Rockman" and "Alesis".
  • Dana Carvey appears as Elon Musk in the cold open.
  • SNL writer Will Stephen appears in the "Snakeskin" sketch as a drummer.
  • In versions distributed online and internationally, the "Trauma Support Group" sketch is replaced by a longer version recorded at dress rehearsal.[30]
  • Before the goodnights, a photo of Quincy Jones, who hosted the twelfth episode of the fifteenth season, and who died earlier in the week, is shown in silence.
9757Charli XCXCharli XCXNovember 16, 2024 (2024-11-16)4.29[32]

9768Paul MescalShaboozeyDecember 7, 2024 (2024-12-07)TBD

  • Confirmed on air.

Specials

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TitleOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
"The 2024 SNL Election Special"[20]November 4, 2024 (2024-11-04)3.06[33]
Highlights of Saturday Night Live's 2024 election coverage.
"Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special"[4]February 16, 2025 (2025-02-16)TBD
A three hour prime-time special celebrating SNL's 50th year on the air. This special will assemble together a large list of current and former cast members, hosts, and musical acts from throughout the show's fifty seasons.

Ratings

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Through the seventh episode, this season of Saturday Night Live was the "highest rated entertainment program across ad-supported broadcast and cable TV among viewers aged 18-49", and - with seven days of on-demand viewing included - the season so far averaged a 1.28 demo rating, and an average viewership of 7.3 million.[34]

Viewership and ratings per episode of Saturday Night Live season 50
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)		 Ref.
1 "Jean Smart / Jelly Roll" September 28, 2024 0.84 5.388 N/A N/A [23][35]
2 "Nate Bargatze / Coldplay" October 5, 2024 0.73 4.762 N/A N/A [24][35]
3 "Ariana Grande / Stevie Nicks" October 12, 2024 0.94 5.572 N/A N/A [26][35]
4 "Michael Keaton / Billie Eilish" October 19, 2024 0.71 4.777 N/A N/A [27][35]
5 "John Mulaney / Chappell Roan" November 2, 2024 1.24 6.586 N/A 9.1 [29][35][34]
6 "Bill Burr / Mk.gee" November 9, 2024 0.72 4.424 TBD TBD [31][35]
7 "Charli XCX" November 16, 2024 0.64 4.286 TBD TBD [32][35]

Specials

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Viewership and ratings per episode of Saturday Night Live season 50
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)		 Ref.
1 "The 2024 SNL Election Special" November 4, 2024 0.34 3.060 0.05 0.679 0.39 3.739 [33][35][36]

References

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  1. ^ Martinez, Kelly (July 16, 2024). "'Saturday Night Live' Sets Season 50 Premiere Date". LateNighter. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  2. ^ a b 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.
  3. ^ Shanfeld, Ethan (September 18, 2024). "'SNL' Sets Season 50 Hosts Ariana Grande, John Mulaney, Michael Keaton and More — Plus Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan as Musical Guests". Variety. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Goldberg, Lesley (May 10, 2024). "'SNL' to Mark 50th Anniversary With a Live Primetime Special (on a Sunday)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Phillips, Zoe G. (September 12, 2024). "'SNL' Actor Chloe Troast Says Season 50 Exit "Was Not My Choice"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  6. ^ https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/snl-cold-open-jim-gaffigan-tim-walz-andy-samberg-doug-emhoff-kamala-harris-1236158844/
  7. ^ Fox, Jesse David (September 23, 2024). "SNL Adds 3 New Writers for Season 50". Vulture. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Jean Smart/Jelly Roll". Saturday Night Live. Season 50. Episode 1. September 28, 2024. Event occurs at Closing credits. NBC.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Rose, Lacey (September 19, 2024). "'SNL' Turns 50. Now What? Lorne Michaels, Colin Jost and Michael Che on Election Insanity, Succession Plans and Trying to Make America Funny Again". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; White, Peter (July 31, 2024). "Maya Rudolph To Play Kamala Harris On 'Saturday Night Live' Through 2024 Presidential Election". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  16. ^ White, Peter (August 1, 2024). "Punkie Johnson Leaving 'SNL' After 4 Seasons". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  17. ^ Petski, Denise (August 2, 2024). "Molly Kearney Exiting 'Saturday Night Live' Ahead Of 50th Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  18. ^ a b 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 Hollywood. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  19. ^ 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 Hollywood. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d "Saturday Night Live – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  21. ^ White, Peter (September 28, 2024). "Hannah Einbinder, Daughter Of 'SNL' Star Laraine Newman, Makes Cameo Alongside 'Hacks' Co-Star Jean Smart". Deadline Hollywood.
  22. ^ Rosenzweig, Jed (September 30, 2024). "SNL Flubs: Jean Smart / Jelly Roll (S50 E1)". LateNighter. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  23. ^ a b c Katz, A.J. (October 1, 2024). "Jean Smart-Hosted SNL Draws Best Premiere Ratings Since 2020". LateNighter. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  24. ^ a b Katz, A.J. (October 8, 2024). "Ratings: Nate Bargatze's SNL Return Sheds Viewers". LateNighter. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Rosenzweig, Jed (October 13, 2024). "Technical Issue Forces SNL to Momentarily Halt Live Show". LateNighter. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  26. ^ a b Katz, A.J. (October 15, 2024). "Ratings: Ariana Grande-Hosted SNL Delivers Largest Audience Since 2021". LateNighter. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Katz, A.J. (October 22, 2024). "SNL Ratings: Michael Keaton-Hosted Episode Delivers Mixed Results". LateNighter. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  28. ^ Johnson, Ted (November 4, 2024). "NBC Stations File Notices Of Free Airtime Given To Kamala Harris For 'SNL' Cameo — Update". Deadline. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  29. ^ a b Katz, A.J. (November 6, 2024). "John Mulaney-Hosted SNL Delivers Highest Ratings Since May 2021". LateNighter. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  30. ^ "Jed Rosenzweig, Author at LateNighter". LateNighter. November 11, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  31. ^ a b Katz, A.J. (November 12, 2024). "SNL Stumbles as Bill Burr Delivers Season 50's Smallest Audience So Far". LateNighter. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  32. ^ a b Katz, A.J. (November 19, 2024). "Charli XCX SNL Delivers Smallest Audience Season-to-Date". LateNighter. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Katz, A.J. (November 7, 2024). "SNL Election Special Delivers Mixed Ratings Results". LateNighter. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Rosenzweig, Jed (November 26, 2024). "SNL Is TV's Top-Rated Entertainment Show in 18-49 Demo Season-to-Date". LateNighter. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
  35. ^ a b c d e f g h "Saturday Night Live (SNL) Ratings on NBC". USTVDB. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  36. ^ Pucci, Douglas (November 6, 2024). "Monday Ratings: 'SNL' Election Special on NBC Leads Non-NFL Telecasts Within its Hour Among Adults 18-49 and 25-54". ProgrammingInsider. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
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