Premieres: September 24
Airs: Saturdays, 11:30pm ET/PT
Network: NBC
Who Is In It? Fred Armisen, Abby Elliott, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, Jenny Slate, Jason Sudeikis, Kenan Thompson, Bobby Moynihan, Nasim Pedrad, Andy Samberg, Kristen Wiig, Vanessa Bayer, Paul Brittain, Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah
Alec Baldwin breaks the all-time SNL hosting record (he’s currently tied with Steve Martin at 15) when he hosts the Season 37 premiere on Sept. 24, with musical guest Radiohead. Mike & Molly star Melissa McCarthy will host the season’s second episode, with musical guest Lady Antebellum.
Official Saturday Night Live Site
Where We Left Off: SNL had renewed vigor last year, at least while the presidential primaries and election were on. Guest appearances from former cast members Tina Fey as Sarah Palin (Fey won an Emmy for her guest stints) and Will Ferrell as George W. Bush were gold for the series (and producers are trying to re-mine that gold with a series of similar Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday shows this fall). The always dependable Amy Poehler left the show to focus on her new series Parks and Recreation.
What To Expect: As the venerable sketch comedy sets off on its 35th season, two cast members have been cut -- Michaela Watkins and Casey Wilson. Joining the cast are Jenny Slate and Nasim Pedrad. Slate, an alumnus of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, was previously seen in Jimmy Fallon's parody sketch, "7th Floor West." Pedrad trained with The Groundlings, as well as at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater.
The season premiere kicks off with host Megan Fox making her first SNL appearance, and musical guest U2 making their third. October 3 features host Ryan Reynolds and musical guest Lady Gaga; October 10 features Drew Barrymore (who made history in 1982 with her first hosting appearance, becoming the youngest host in show history at age 7) and Regina Spektor; and October 17 features Gerard Butler and Shakira.
What To Expect: More laughs, surprises and musical performances as the late-night institution enters its 36th season, but don't expect to see Will Forte, who is leaving to pursue other projects. The season premiere finds SNL alumna Amy Poehler returning to her old stomping grounds as host, with Katy Perry making her debut as musical guest. Jane Lynch of Glee is one of the notable hosts this season (she appears on October 9). New to the cast this year are Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah, and two comedians from Chicago, Paul Brittain and Vanessa Bayer.
