Saturday Night Live has announced the first five hosts and musical guests of their historic 50th season, premiering September 28.
Celebrating its 50th season this year, Saturday Night Live has been gracing the screens of folks across the country and beyond since its premiere in 1975. The opening “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” has become synonymous with not just the show but New York City as a whole, cementing SNL in the long legacy of the city and the live entertainment scene at large.
Consisting of celebrity hosts, sketch comedy, and musical performance, SNL has got it all when it comes to late-night television, and in its 50th year of operation the show is boasting quite the lineup of guests and hosts alike.
SEPTEMBER 28: JEAN SMART & JELLY ROLL
Comedy veteran, Emmy-winning star of Hacks, and SNL debutante Jean Smart will host the premiere episode of the season. With TV credits including Fargo, Watchmen, Legion, and Mare of Easttown, she initially rose to fame as Charlene Frazier Stillfield in 1980s sitcom Designing Women and hasn’t stopped since.
Smart will be adding the hosting gig to a long list of accolades and accomplishments that include six Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe award, nominations for Tony and Grammy Awards, being the most awarded performer at the Critic’s Choice Television Awards, and so on.
Alongside Smart will be the season premiere’s musical guest, Nashville born American singer, songwriter, and rapper Jelly Roll. Starting out selling mixtapes in his car, the singer has come a long way as one of the most popular country fusion artists of today.
Being the second SNL debut of the evening acts as another testament to his success alongside three CMT Music Awards, the CMA New Artist Award, and a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2023.
OCTOBER 5: NATE BARGATZE & COLDPLAY
Veteran stand-up comic Nate Bargatze will host the season’s second episode following his wildly successful SNL debut in Season 49. With viral sketches like “Lake Beach” and “Washington’s Dream”, Bargate is the mind behind the most-watched night of the season to date in addition to the most-watched episode since Steve Martin and Martin Short’s in December of 2022 with 4.8 million viewers.
Returning for what will be their eighth appearance on the show, British rock group and SNL veterans Coldplay will return to the show’s stage once more. Debuting on the SNL stage in 2001, Coldplay is set to return with a new and exciting performance just off of the release of their newest album, Moon Music, which will drop the day prior.
OCTOBER 12: ARIANA GRANDE & STEVIE NICKS
Pop sensation, singer-songwriter, and actress Ariana Grande is set to host the third episode of the season following her SNL debut as musical guest in 2014 and host in 2016, when she performed a double-duty as host and musical guest.
Her most recent appearance was Josh Brolin’s episode of Season 49 where she starred alongside cast member Bowen Yang just ahead of the Wicked film adaptation’s release. Wicked marked Grande’s return to the acting world, starring as Glinda the Good.
Music legend and Fleetwood Mac Frontwoman Stevie Nicks will return to SNL after over 40 years. Last appearing as Musical Guest in December of 1983, Nicks brought “Stand Back” and “Night Bird” from her second solo album to the SNL audience. Named the “Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll” by Rolling Stone, her performance is sure to enchant.
OCTOBER 19: MICHAEL KEATON & BILLIE EILISH
Most recently starring in Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, sequel to the 1988 Tim Burton film- both in which he played the titular role- Michael Keaton is a decorated actor with a Primetime Emmy, two Golden Globes, and nominations for an Academy Award and a BAFTA under his belt.
Keaton is no stranger to the SNL stage, the October 19 episode marking his fifth with the show. His first hosting gig was for the Halloween episode of 1982, and he would return to host again in 1992 and 2015.
A pop sensation since 13 with her debut “Ocean Eyes”, Billie Eilish has kept the public enraptured in her unique sound developed alongside her brother Finneas for years now, resulting in nine Grammys, two American Music Awards, seven MTV Music Video Awards, three Brits, two Golden Globes, two Academy Awards, and 20 Guinness World Records.
This will mark Eilish’s fourth return to the SNL stage, appearing as the Musical Guest in September of 2019 and December of 2023 in addition to a double-duty as both Musical Guest and Host in December of 2021.
NOVEMBER 2: JOHN MULANEY & CHAPPELL ROAN
Stand-up comedian, actor, and veteran of the New York City comedy scene, John Mulaney will be returning to SNL once more on November 2. Starting as a writer for Saturday Night Live from 2008-2013, Mulaney has built quite the comedy career for himself over the years, returning to host SNL for what will be the sixth time in addition to countless cameos over the years.
Your favorite artist’s favorite artist, Chappell Roan is adding SNL to the ever-growing list of accomplishments after her recent rocket into pop fame. Known for her unapologetically queer, captivating, and campy music, Roan has delivered powerful performances dressed in drag at Coachella, Governors Ball, and the MTV Video Music Awards where she also took home the Best New Artist award- all in the past year.
The first episode of Saturday Night Live‘s 50th season will premiere on September 28.
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