Saturday Night Live 40th Season Premiere Tonight
It all started on October 11, 1975 and 40 seasons later it’s still going. Saturday Night Live is back tonight with its 40th season premiere.
That very first show was hosted by George Carlin with musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian. The 40th anniversary season kicks off tonight on NBC with host Chris Pratt and musical guest Ariana Grande.
SNL underwent major casting changes during the past year. Featured players Brooks Wheelan, John Milhiser and Noel Wells were all let go. John Patrick O’Brien is reportedly returning to the writers staff and Nasim Pedrad officially left the show to co-star in the FOX series “Mulaney” with John Mulaney.
Executiver producer Lorne Michaels has also added some incredibly talented and funny people. Comedian and SNL writer Michael Che will be behind the anchor desk for Weekend Update starting tonight with Colin Jost. Pete Davidson has been added as a featured player. And watch for the first new announcer on Saturday Night Live in 40 seasons with Darrell Hammond returning to SNL to replace the late Don Pardo. It’s still unknown what style or whose voice Darrell will be using tonight.
Here are first time host Chris Pratt’s SNL promos with Kate McKinnon. She’s thrilled to have her favorite “Guardians of the Galaxy” hero hosting tonight…well, right after the raccoon…and Tree Guy…and the Green Lady. According to Kate, Chris is mainly there to show off his abs and open pickle jars. No pressure. It’s just the 40th anniversary which only comes once.
