The 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” kicked off with a star-studded lineup of former cast members making surprise appearances. Maya Rudolph returned to portray Vice President Kamala Harris, alongside Andy Samberg as her husband Doug Emhoff and Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden. The cold open featured a mock rally where Rudolph-as-Harris urged everyone to stay focused and end the drama and trauma.
The sketch comedy show also welcomed comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan as running mate Tim Walz. Carvey, known for his iconic portrayal of President George H.W. Bush, joked about forgetting he was the president. Rudolph and Carvey together delivered the iconic “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night” that marked the start of the milestone season.
Host Jean Smart, fresh off her Emmy win for “Hacks,” made her debut as an “SNL” host. The 73-year-old expressed her excitement at finally getting to host the show after watching the first episode and dreaming of the opportunity. The first episode of “SNL” aired on October 11, 1975, with Lorne Michaels at the helm and a cast that included Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and others.
The musical guest for the evening was Jelly Roll, who performed his songs “Liar” and “Sober.” Smart introduced Jelly Roll alongside her “Hacks” co-star Hannah Einbinder, adding a personal touch to the show. The episode paid homage to the show’s debut in a newly released film, “Saturday Night,” as part of the anniversary celebration.
Despite the star-studded guest appearances, the regular cast members took center stage, with James Austin Johnson reprising his role as Donald Trump at a rally. Colin Jost and Michael Che returned for another season of the mock-news segment “Weekend Update.” The show wrapped up with the traditional sign-off featuring the guest stars and the cast.
Upcoming episodes promise more exciting hosts and musical guests, including Nate Bargatze with Coldplay, Ariana Grande with Stevie Nicks, Michael Keaton with Billie Eilish, and John Mulaney with Chappell Roan. The season will culminate in a three-hour primetime special on February 16 to celebrate 50 years of “Saturday Night Live” with appearances from iconic stars like Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, and Tina Fey.
