Who Are The ‘SNL’ Season 49 Hosts, Cast & Guests? What’s The Show’s Schedule?
While Season 48 of Saturday Night Live was cut short by the writers strike in May, the iconic late-night show is set for a full Season 49 this winter.
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While SAG-AFTRA is still out on strike, the tentative resolution of the WGA strike means the show’s scribes could get back in the writer’s room. Technically, since late-night shows and reality shows are covered under SAG-AFTRA’s Network Code, actors are able to host, as well, and we hear that SNL‘s return comes with the full blessing of SAG-AFTRA.
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When Did SNL’ Come Back?
The show, which traditionally restarts at the very end of September or the beginning of October, returned on October 14. Since the show’s staff are used to a weekly turnaround, it did not take long for SNL to get back up and running.
For example, when the 2007-2008 writers strike ended on February 12, 2008, production commenced just six days later on Season 33 of SNL for the February 23 episode. Former SNL cast member and then 30 Rock star Tina Fey hosted that night with musical guest Carrie Underwood.
Who Are The Season 49 Castmembers?
The cast returning includes Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Punkie Johnson, Colin Jost, Ego Nwodim, Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang. Cecily Strong departed mid-season.
James Austin Johnson, who became a breakout for his impersonations of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, and Sarah Sherman, whose quirky style went viral with her Meatballs sketch, have also been promoted from featured players to repertory status this season.
They have been joined by new castmember Chloe Troast, who has worked closely with SNL’s Please Don’t Destroy – the writing and performing group that consists of Ben Marshall, John Higgins, and Martin Herlihy.
Who’s Hosting ‘SNL’ This Season?
Pete Davidson, who was set to return to his old stomping ground before the show had to cut short Season 48 due to the writers strike, kicked off the season with rising rapper Ice Spice as musical guest.
The majority of hosts last season were actors, including Miles Teller, Steve Martin & Martin Short, Austin Butler, Aubrey Plaza, Michael B. Jordon, Pedro Pascal, Woody Harrelson and Jenna Ortega.
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The show may lean into non-acting hosts, especially musicians. Here is who’s confirmed, so far:
October 21: Bad Bunny pull double duty as host and musical guest. The Puerto Rican rapper previously performed in 2021 but this marks his first time on hosting duties.
October 28: Comedian Nate Bargatze will host Saturday Night Live for the first time. Joining him in the Halloween edition of SNL will be Foo Fighters who will take the stage as musical guest for the ninth time.
Down the road, Taylor Swift, on a break from her record-breaking tour and movie debut and with a new boyfriend who’s also a recent SNL host – Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce – is an obvious choice. In fact, she and Kelce had cameos on the Davidson-hosted season opener.
Fans online have been calling for the likes of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, rising rapper Ice Spice and Kelce’s teammate Patrick Mahomes to be invited.
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‘SNL’: Pete Davidson & Bad Bunny Hosting As NBC Show Sets Return