SNL Season 49 Sets NBC Return Date, SAG-AFTRA Issues Statement

The premiere date for the upcoming Saturday Night Live Season 49 has finally been revealed, after over a week since the Writers Guild of America officially ended the 148 day-long writers strike. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the long-running sketch comedy series will make its NBC return on October 14, with SNL vet Pete Davidson enlisted to host for the first time. Joining him as the musical guest is rising hip-hop star Ice Spice.

In addition, it has also been confirmed that last season’s SNL cast are all returning including regulars Bowen Yang, Chloe Fineman, Michael Che, Colin Jost, Andrew Dismukes, Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner, Punkie Johnson, Ego Ewodim, and Kenan Thompson. Featured players such as Marcello Hernandez, Sarah Sherman, and Michael Longfellow are also coming back. They will be joined new cast member Chloe Troast, who has been selected as Season 49’s newest featured player.

Saturday Night Live Cast Won’t be Violating SAG-AFTRA Rules

SAG-AFTRA has also issued a statement about the SNL cast’s Season 49 return, revealing that “members appearing on Saturday Night Live either as hosts, guests, or cast members are working under the Network Code agreement, which is not a contract we are striking,” reads the statement. “They are not in violation of SAG-AFTRA strike rules, and we support them in fulfilling their contractual obligations.”

The statement continues, “the program is a SAG-AFTRA non-dramatic production under a separate agreement that is not subject to the union’s strike order. The majority of our members who are regular cast on Saturday Night Live had contractual obligations to the show prior to the strike. Many are under option agreements that require them to return to the show if the producers exercise their option which the producers have done.”

The long-running sketch comedy is executive produced and created Lorne Michaels. Saturday Night Live served as a launching pad for a number of comedians and actors including Bill Murray, Norm Macdonald, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, and more.