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Saturday Night Live season 50

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Season of television series
Saturday Night Live
Season 50
No. of episodes9
Release
Original networkNBC & Peacock
Original releaseSeptember 28, 2024 (2024-09-28) –
present
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 49
List of episodes

The fiftieth season of the American sketch comedy late night television program Saturday Night Live premiered on September 28, 2024 on NBC and Peacock, with host Jean Smart and musical guest Jelly Roll. 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.

Cast

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.

The show subsequently added 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. Carvey and Samberg, however, have continued to make brief guest appearances, with Carvey – as of the seventh episode – continuing to hold the role of portraying Biden.

Repertory players

Featured players

bold denotes "Weekend Update" anchor

Writers

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.

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

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.

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. 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. 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, 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 along with Kearney prior to season 48, will be promoted to repertory status.

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.

Episodes

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

  • Jelly Roll performs "Liar" and "Winning Streak" and appears in the cut-for-time "Blonde Dragon People" sketch.
    • Hannah Einbinder, daughter of original Not Ready for Primetime Player Laraine Newman as well as Smart's co-star on Hacks, joins Smart in introducing Jelly Roll for the first song, "Liar".
  • 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.
  • According to NBC, this is the most-watched episode ever on Peacock, "through the first weekend".
  • Actress Blake Lively was the original intended host of this premiere, but backed out due to recent controversies.
9702Nate BargatzeColdplayOctober 5, 2024 (2024-10-05)4.76

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

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

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

  • Chappell Roan performs "Pink Pony Club" and "The Giver".
    • The performance of "Pink Pony Club" was excised from the episode's broadcast in the United Kingdom, but remains intact on streaming platforms.
  • Maya Rudolph, Andy Samberg, Jim Gaffigan and Dana Carvey appear as Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff, Tim Walz and Joe Biden, respectively, in the cold open. Harris additionally appears as herself alongside Rudolph's impression and says with Rudolph "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!".
    • Samberg also appears in the "Port Authority Duane Reade" sketch.
  • Tim Kaine appears as himself in the "What's That Name?" sketch.
  • Pete Davidson appears in the "Port Authority Duane Reade" sketch.
  • Before the goodnights, a photo of Teri Garr, who hosted three times in the 1980s, and who died earlier in the week, is shown in silence.
  • Several NBC affiliates filed equal time notices with the FCC due to appearances by Harris and Kaine invoking the equal-time rule.
9746Bill BurrMk.geeNovember 9, 2024 (2024-11-09)4.42

  • 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.
  • 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

9768Paul MescalShaboozeyDecember 7, 2024 (2024-12-07)3.84

9779Chris RockGracie AbramsDecember 14, 2024 (2024-12-14)4.22

97810Martin ShortHozierDecember 21, 2024 (2024-12-21)TBD

Specials

TitleOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
"The 2024 SNL Election Special"November 4, 2024 (2024-11-04)3.06
Highlights of Saturday Night Live's 2024 election coverage.
"A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving"November 27, 2024 (2024-11-27)2.63
A two-hour highlights collection of SNL’s Thanksgiving-themed sketches.
"A Saturday Night Live Christmas"December 18, 2024 (2024-12-18)2.79
A two-hour highlights collection of SNL’s holiday-themed sketches. It is scheduled to be re-aired on Monday evening, December 23.
"Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special"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

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.

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
2 "Nate Bargatze / Coldplay" October 5, 2024 0.73 4.762 N/A N/A
3 "Ariana Grande / Stevie Nicks" October 12, 2024 0.94 5.572 N/A N/A
4 "Michael Keaton / Billie Eilish" October 19, 2024 0.71 4.777 N/A N/A
5 "John Mulaney / Chappell Roan" November 2, 2024 1.24 6.586 N/A 9.1
6 "Bill Burr / Mk.gee" November 9, 2024 0.72 4.424 N/A N/A
7 "Charli XCX" November 16, 2024 0.64 4.286 N/A N/A
8 "Paul Mescal / Shaboozey" December 7, 2024 TBD 3.839 TBD TBD

Specials

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
2 "A Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving" November 27, 2024 0.43 2.634 0.04 0.314 0.47 2.948
3 "A Saturday Night Live Christmas" December 18, 2024 0.33 2.785 — — — —

References

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  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.
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  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. Shanfeld, Ethan (September 28, 2024). "'SNL' Reveals Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz, Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff, Dana Carvey as Joe Biden in Cold Open With Maya Rudolph's Kamala Harris". Variety. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  7. Fox, Jesse David (September 23, 2024). "SNL Adds 3 New Writers for Season 50". Vulture. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
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  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.
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  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. ^ 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. ^ "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.
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  24. Friedman, Roger (December 21, 2024). "Blake Lively Was Supposed to Host "SNL" Premiere This Year But Backed Out Over Movie Scandal". Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  25. ^ Katz, A.J. (October 8, 2024). "Ratings: Nate Bargatze's SNL Return Sheds Viewers". LateNighter. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
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  29. 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.
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  32. ^ Katz, A.J. (November 12, 2024). "SNL Stumbles as Bill Burr Delivers Season 50's Smallest Audience So Far". LateNighter. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  33. ^ Katz, A.J. (November 19, 2024). "Charli XCX SNL Delivers Smallest Audience Season-to-Date". LateNighter. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  34. ^ Rosenzweig, Jed (December 11, 2024). "Ratings: Paul Mescal-Hosted SNL Hits All-Time Low in 18-49 Demo". LateNighter. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  35. Rosenzweig, Jed (December 17, 2024). "Chris Rock-Hosted SNL Sees Ratings Rebound". LateNighter. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  36. ^ Katz, A.J. (November 7, 2024). "SNL Election Special Delivers Mixed Ratings Results". LateNighter. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  37. ^ Wood, Jennifer M. (November 4, 2024). "SNL Sets Dates for Thanksgiving and Christmas Specials". LateNighter. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  38. ^ Pucci, Douglas (December 3, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: 'Survivor' on CBS and 'SNL Thanksgiving' on NBC Lead Prime Time Telecasts in Key Adult Demos". ProgrammingInsider. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  39. ^ Pucci, Douglas (December 19, 2024). "Wednesday Ratings: 'Survivor' on CBS Hits Season-High in Viewers and 18-49 with 47th Finale". Programming Insider. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
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  41. ^ "Saturday Night Live (SNL) Ratings on NBC". USTVDB. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  42. 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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