Recap of the Season 50 Premiere of Saturday Night Live: Jean Smart and Maya Rudolph with Surprise Guests

Recap of the Season 50 Premiere of Saturday Night Live: Jean Smart and Maya Rudolph with Surprise Guests

Recap of the Season 50 Premiere of Saturday Night Live: Jean Smart and Maya Rudolph with Surprise Guests

The season premiere of Saturday Night Live kicked off with an exciting lineup featuring Jean Smart, Maya Rudolph, musical guest Jelly Roll, and a host of surprise guest stars, including notable figures like President Biden and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Saturday Night Live made its debut during a time of significant historical upheaval, just months after the fall of Saigon and a year post-Nixon’s resignation. The series began in 1975, with the cultural turmoil of the 1960s—marked by war and political assassinations—still vivid in the public consciousness.

With over 900 episodes spanning decades, it’s challenging to encapsulate the profound impact SNL has had on television and comedy. The show has spawned numerous films, anniversary specials, and extensive commentary on its political satire, including a recent biopic released this weekend.

As is tradition, the season premiere unfolded after a hectic week of preparation, culminating in a live comedy spectacle. This year’s kickoff is particularly significant as it marks the 50th season. With the 2024 election on the horizon, there is heightened anticipation regarding the tone and direction of this season. When SNL is at its best, it truly resonates.

To get a sense of the excitement around this landmark season, I caught up with former cast member Alex Moffat, who expressed his hopes: “I’d love to see Eddie Murphy host again. I spent a year watching Beverly Hills Cop every day, and I even wore my parents down on how often I rented the Best of Eddie Murphy SNL compilation from Blockbuster. He’s my all-time favorite. With the 50th season, I hope to see icons like Steve Martin and Tina Fey return as hosts. It will be amazing to witness all the stars celebrating this milestone.”

Another alum, Taran Killam, who is gearing up for a performance in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Kennedy Center, shared his enthusiasm: “I’m really looking forward to the 50th season! Some of my favorite hosts from my time are making appearances in the early episodes, like Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton, and John Mulaney, who is incredible.”

Denny Dillon, a cast member from Season 6, reflected on the show’s legacy: “It’s unbelievable to think it’s been 50 years! I guest-starred on the third episode in 1975 with my comedy partner Mark Hampton, and we performed ‘Talent Night in the Convent.’ Meeting the original cast was surreal. It’s astounding that Lorne Michaels has sustained this groundbreaking idea for so long!”

Dillon added, “I’m eager to see what SNL 50 has in store and hope to be invited to the anniversary celebrations. I expect it to be a grand occasion.”

As the show kicked off, fans were treated to the return of Maya Rudolph portraying Kamala Harris, along with surprise appearances from Jim Gaffigan as Governor Walz, Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff, and Dana Carvey stepping back into the role of Joe Biden.

Stay tuned as we continue to update this recap throughout the broadcast.

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