NEW YORK — The 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” kicked off with a star-studded lineup of former co-stars, bringing back familiar faces like Maya Rudolph as Vice President Kamala Harris, Andy Samberg as her husband Doug Emhoff, and Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden.
In the show’s cold open, Rudolph-as-Harris addressed a mock rally, urging everyone to stay focused on their goals. “If we win, together, we can end the drama-la and the trauma-la and go relax in our pajama-las,” she quipped. Comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan made a surprise appearance as running mate Tim Walz, while Samberg-as Emhoff and Carvey-as Biden also took the stage.
Carvey, known for his portrayal of President George H.W. Bush, humorously remarked, “A lot of people forget I’m president, including me.” Rudolph and Carvey then jointly delivered the iconic “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night” line that marked the beginning of the show’s milestone 50th season.
The episode was hosted by Jean Smart, fresh off her sixth Emmy win for her role in “Hacks.” In her opening monologue, Smart shared her long-time dream of hosting “SNL,” finally realizing it on a Saturday that fit her schedule perfectly.
The first episode of “Saturday Night Live” premiered on October 11, 1975, with Lorne Michaels at the helm. Original cast members like Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, and Garrett Morris made up the Not Ready for Prime Time Players. The show also featured musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian.
The musical guest for the 50th season premiere 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 evening.
The episode paid tribute to the show’s rich history, with a nod to the newly released Jason Reitman film “Saturday Night,” which reflects on the show’s early days. Despite the star-studded guest appearances, the regular cast members took on the majority of the show’s sketches, maintaining the show’s signature humor.
The episode featured recurring segments like James Austin Johnson playing Donald Trump at a rally and Jost and Che returning for another season of the mock-news “Weekend Update.” The show closed with Rudolph, Carvey, Gaffigan, Samberg, Smart, Jelly Roll, and the cast coming together for the traditional sign-off.
Upcoming episodes promise more exciting guests, including Nate Bargatze with Coldplay, Ariana Grande with Stevie Nicks, Michael Keaton with Billie Eilish, and John Mulaney with Chappell Roan. These episodes will lead up to a special three-hour primetime celebration on Feb. 16, marking the official 50th season milestone with appearances from iconic “SNL” stars like Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, and Tina Fey.
