SNL

Dave Chappelle practically quit show-business over the endless association with his viral Chappelle’s Show characters, to the point few presumed we’d ever see them again. Well, it seems we owe The Walking Dead’s frustrating cliffhanger a debt of gratitude, as Chappelle took his SNL hosting as a chance to revive a number of Chappelle’s Show favorites … at least to kill one off.

SNL seems to be cementing a new approach to promos after Benedict Cumberbatch last week, so if you’re looking for laughs this morning, you may not find them here. Watch the Chappelle’s Show host make a dramatic entrance in our first taste of this weekend’s SNL debut.

Benedict Cumberbatch may make for a Strange SNL host this weekend, but as everyone knows, next week might be the most in need of some levity. Thankfully, Dave Chappelle will answer that call in a rare TV appearance, hosting the followup outing with an equally exciting musical guest.

Time will tell if SNL manages to up its Season 42 ratings surge with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, but the latter two weeks of October are shaping up nicely as well. Not only is Emily Blunt confirmed for October 15, but so too will Tom Hanks and Lady Gaga make their SNL returns.

SNL will pick up with its 42nd season tomorrow night, albeit without recent mainstays Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah, who were unexpectedly dismissed from the cast over the summer. Now, SNL boss Lorne Michaels explains the decision, noting “They served the show well.”

If ever we thought SNL was keeping unusually coy with Season 42, the floodgates are open now. After this morning’s news of Lin-Manuel Miranda hosting next week, our first premiere promos with Margot Robbie have arrived, along with reports of a third host for October.

SNL came in pretty close to the wire for Season 42, and just over a week from the fall 2016 premiere, our first host and musical guests have arrived. Suicide Squad star Margot Robbie will lead the October 1 premiere with musical accompaniment by The Weeknd.

We still don’t have a host or musical guest for the rapidly-approaching SNL premiere, but the turnover of Season 42 continues. Following the addition of three new cast members, SNL has hired a grand total of seven new writers, including viral comedy duo BriTANicK, Jimmy Kimmel Live! alum, UCB vets and more.

It’s three out, and three in for SNL Season 42, at least so far. Where previously writer Mikey Day was eyed to join the cast in the wake of Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah and Jon Rudnitsky’s departure, NBC has done two better. Day will indeed join the cast, alongside fellow new additions Alex Moffat, and Melissa Villaseñor.

SNL sailed from the 40th anniversary into Season 41 rather smoothly, though the waters roughened in recent weeks with the departures of Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah and Jon Rudnitsky. Thankfully, it’s clear skies ahead for Season 42, as the rest of the beloved cast will be staying aboard. Sailing metaphors!