SNL Kicks Off Season 51 with First Hosts Announced

“Saturday Night Live” has announced its first three hosts and musical guests for the 51st season, which will premiere on October 4, on NBC and Peacock. The season will open with Bad Bunny as host and Doja Cat making her musical guest debut.

The following week, Amy Poehler will return to host for the second time as an individual and third overall. She will be joined by Role Model, who will make their first appearance as a musical guest.

On October 18, Sabrina Carpenter will take on a dual role as both host and musical guest. Carpenter previously performed on the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” singing a duet with Paul Simon.

Season 51 will bring several cast changes. Longtime members Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardener have left after seven and eight seasons, respectively. Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim have also departed the series.

Five new featured players will join the cast this season: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.

Executive producer Lorne Michaels confirmed that cast changes were expected, telling reporters in August that announcements would be made in the weeks leading up to the season premiere.

James Austin Johnson is returning, and Michaels emphasized that the show will continue to rely on his Donald Trump impersonation. Other repertory players include Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernández, Colin Jost, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, and Bowen Yang.

The writing staff has also seen changes. Celeste Yim, the show’s first openly trans, non-binary writer, left after five seasons. Rosebud Baker, John Higgins, and long-term writer Steven Castillo have also departed. Castillo, who returned to the show during season 49, explained that his second stint was never meant to be long-term.

Season 51 is shaping up as a season of milestones for the series. In addition to new faces on stage, the show is expected to air its 1,000th episode.

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