Maya Rudolph and Dana Carvey Bring the Laughs in SNL's 50th Season Opener
The legendary NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL) launched its historic 50th season on September 28 with an exciting lineup of hosts and musical guests.

The milestone season includes a mix of first-time hosts, such as Emmy-winning actress Jean Smart and rising music star Chappell Roan, alongside returning fan favorites like comedian John Mulaney and pop superstar Ariana Grande.
This season brings changes to the cast as well. Longtime members Punkie Johnson, Molly Kearney, and Chloe Troast departed the show, making way for three new featured players: Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline. Meanwhile, former featured players Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker were promoted to the main cast for this significant season.
Adding to the excitement, the 50th anniversary coincides with the release of Saturday Night, a film directed by Jason Reitman. The movie, which premiered in theaters on October 11, chronicles the behind-the-scenes drama and creativity that went into preparing for SNL's first-ever episode back in 1975.
A star-studded season opener
Jean Smart, known for her Emmy-winning role on Hacks, made her Saturday Night Live hosting debut during the season 50 premiere. She was joined by Grammy-nominated country and rock singer Jelly Roll, who performed as the musical guest for the first time.
The episode kicked off with a memorable cold open featuring Maya Rudolph reprising her Emmy-winning impression of Vice President Kamala Harris. She was joined by a stellar lineup of SNL alumni, including Jim Gaffigan as Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz, Andy Samberg as second gentleman Doug Emhoff, and Dana Carvey delivering his iconic take on President Joe Biden.
As a special nod to SNL’s legacy, Jean Smart’s Hacks co-star Hannah Einbinder, who happens to be the daughter of original SNL cast member Laraine Newman, made a surprise appearance to introduce Jelly Roll’s performance.
What to expect this season
As SNL celebrates 50 years on air, viewers can expect a season filled with tributes to the show's groundbreaking history, appearances from beloved alumni, and fresh comedic takes on today’s cultural and political moments.
Stay tuned as we continue to track the latest episode dates, hosts, and musical guests for this monumental season of Saturday Night Live.