By Helen Prince, Anna Cordova, Mahika Sharma
Saturday Night Live (SNL) is gearing up for its highly anticipated 50th season, set to debut on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 11:30 p.m. EDT on NBC. As the iconic sketch comedy show prepares to hit this milestone, longtime showrunner Lorne Michaels has emphasized the importance of the upcoming season, not only as a celebration of SNL’s history but also as a response to the 2024 presidential election. “The election and the anniversary are two huge pillars,” Michaels told The Hollywood Reporter, signaling that the season will balance both political satire and nostalgia.
This combination of political humor and cultural relevance is part of what has made SNL a significant force in pop culture over the past 50 years. “I think SNL has shaped [pop culture] pretty hugely,” said Charlotte DeWitt, senior at Georgetown University. “I think figures have emerged from SNL that have become kind of important in pop culture, like John Belushi, Will Ferrell, [and] Pete Davidson is someone who comes to mind.”
The 50th season will also feature fresh takes on SNL’s political humor, particularly its portrayal of Donald Trump. Alec Baldwin’s Emmy-winning impression of Trump has been a hallmark of the show’s coverage in recent years, but Michaels hinted at a change. “We’re going to reinvent Trump,” Michaels said, referring to his debate performance against Vice President Kamala Harris. James Austin Johnson, who has taken over the role, previously depicted Trump as “diminished,” but Michaels suggested that all the political figures on the show will be “reexamined” to reflect the evolving political landscape.
“I sometimes take issue with too much political satire, because I think as Americans, we have reached a level of discomfort by reality, so we need things to be diluted in order to not feel so estranged from our own experience,” Anouk Hirano, a sophomore at Georgetown University, said. “And I do think that it is made for a privileged class, but I do think it makes for good content and I don’t think I should have a say on artistic creativity in a comedic way, because comedy is undervalued as a genre in general.”
While political satire may not resonate with everyone, SNL’s upcoming premiere promises a blend of humor and star power to engage its diverse audience. Jean Smart, an Emmy-winning actress known for her role as comedian Deborah Vance in Hacks, will host the premiere episode. Despite her extensive television career, this will be Smart’s first time hosting SNL. She will be paired with country music star Jelly Roll, making his SNL debut as the musical guest. Jelly Roll’s appearance comes just ahead of the release of his new album, Beautifully Broken, slated for Oct. 11, and fans can expect a performance of his hit single “Need a Favor.”
This season, Michaels’ vision is to honor the past while embracing the present, a delicate balance that has kept SNL relevant for half a century. Alongside fresh sketches, the show will likely feature special guest appearances from beloved former cast members, tapping into its deep reservoir of comedic talent. The anniversary is expected to highlight SNL’s most iconic moments, from Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin impression to the unforgettable political parodies that have shaped the show’s legacy.
This legacy of political humor continues to resonate, even with audiences who may not be tuning in every week. “[Younger generations] might not be watching SNL directly, but I think SNL definitely has an influence about why political comedy exists as it does today, so I would say that younger generations might be more prone to making fun of political figures and that’s probably an indirect influence of SNL,” Avelyn Bailey, a freshman at Georgetown University, said.
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