“Saturday Night Live” returns with a new season in New York, blending fresh faces with familiar favorites.
Following a fanfare-filled 50th anniversary season, the long-running sketch show introduces five new featured players and kicks off with superstar Bad Bunny as host on Saturday. The music icon, who recently concluded a historic residency in Puerto Rico, will be joined by musical guest Doja Cat, making her debut in that role. Bad Bunny is also set to headline the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show.
Subsequent episodes will feature Amy Poehler hosting on Oct. 11 with first-time musical guest Role Model, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the show’s original episode in 1975. Sabrina Carpenter will host and perform as musical guest on Oct. 18.
The season comes after the departures of several key cast members, including Ego Nwodim and Devon Walker. Writer Ben Marshall is promoted to featured player, joining newcomers Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.
“SNL” recently won 12 Emmys for its 50th season, including outstanding variety special. Creator Lorne Michaels noted he never imagined the show would continue for 50 years.