‘SNL’ 50th Anniversary Season Starts Off With a Bang: Who’s Hosting? Who Are the Musical Guests? When Will It Begin?

It’s a historical season for Saturday Night Live. The lights came up on the sketch comedy in 1975. Since then, the show has been a touchstone for social issues, politics, and unforgettable musical performances, and it has launched the careers of some of the industry’s most influential writers and comedians. So when does this milestone kick off?

‘Saturday Night Live’ kicks off season 50 on Sept. 28

The 50th season of Saturday Night Live kicks off on Sept. 28, 2024. The milestone moment arrives as the longest-running live sketch comedy show in television history hits the half-century mark with the familiar theme song kicking off its first episode of the season.

Jean Smart will host the inaugural installment of the half-century series. Jelly Roll makes his musical guest debut.

Nate Bargatze will make his second appearance as host on Oct. 5. Coldplay performs as a musical guest for the eighth time.

Ariana Grande will host Saturday Night Live for the second time on Oct. 12. Stevie Nicks marks her second appearance as musical guest, following her first appearance in 1983.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice star Michael Keaton will host for a fourth time on Oct. 19. Musical guest Billie Eilish takes the stage as musical guest, also for the fourth time.

John Mulaney will host for the sixth time on Nov. 2. Chappell Roan makes her musical guest debut.

What can viewers expect this season?

For Saturday Night Live‘s 50th season, viewers can expect significant changes. There are new cast members replacing others who were let go, upgrading featured players to leading roles, and one superstar who will reprise a role that viewers adore.

This season, three new cast members have been added: Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline.

This announcement came on the news that three SNL cast members, Chloe Troast, Punkie Johnson, and Molly Kearney, were let go before the 50th season. Additionally, former featured players Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker have been upgraded to main cast members for season 50.

Perhaps the most significant news is that Maya Rudolph will return to play vice president and Democratic Party nominee for President Kamala Harris. She first appeared as Harris during the 2020 election cycle.

Rudolph told Variety, “This is so much bigger than me, and this is about something very important,” Rudolph said. “I’m thrilled to be associated with it and glad that I’ve played her, and everyone’s cool with it. She likes it.”

The esteemed ‘SNL’ alums who went on to superstardom

Saturday Night Live has created its share of superstars. After getting their start on the late-night comedy sketch series, these celebrities forged careers outside of Studio 8H.

Dan Akroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis Dreyfuss, and Billy Crystal began or reignited their careers on the series. However, so did Martin Short, Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Ben Stiller, Mike Meyers, and Chris Farley.

Chris Rock, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Molly Shannon, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Seth Meyers, Amy Poehler, and Fred Armisen became superstars. As did Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis, and Kristen Wiig.

Saturday Night Live debuts season 50 on NBC beginning Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11:35 p.m. E.T.