‘Saturday Night Live’ announces highly-anticipated return of two guest hosts

Posted On March 14, 2024March 14, 2024

As NBC’s long-running comedy flagship show, Saturday Night Live, moves further into its 49th season, it has been revealed that two notable names will be returning to Studio 8H to host.

The first is actor and comedian Kristen Wiig, who rose to prominence with her seven-season stint on the show from 2005 to 2012, will be hosting on April 6th. Notably, she has hosted four times in the past, which included a duo of appearances in 2020.

Her imminent appearance is to promote her new Apple TV+ period comedy, Palm Royale, which debuts on March 20th. Created by Abe Sylvia, it is based on Juliet McDaniel’s 2018 novel, Mr. and Mrs. American Pie. The show follows Wiig’s character, Maxine Simmons, who works towards attaining a place in Palm Beach’s high society.

Adding extra star power to the evening, British singer Raye will debut on the show. It follows her making history at the Brit Awards earlier this month, taking home six awards.

The second guest host to be announced for April is Ken himself, Ryan Gosling, which comes off the back of his celebrated performance as the Barbie character at the Oscars on March 10th. He’s hosting on April 13th and will be musically supported by Chris Stapleton.

The actor is promoting the launch of his new movie The Fall Guy, which is set to be released on May 3rd. He has previously hosted editions of the show in 2015 and 2017. As for Stapleton, he’s appeared on SNL three times previously. 

The 49th season of SNL premiered on October 14th, 2023, hosted by former cast member Pete Davidson and featuring musical guest Ice Spice. The premiere was significant as it had been delayed due to the Writers Guild of America strike, which commenced on May 2nd last year before being wrapped up on September 27th.

Following 11 cast members leaving across seasons 46 and 47, the 49th edition saw the entire cast of its predecessor return. James Austin Johnson and Sarah Sherman, who were both featured players prior to 47, were promoted to repertory status, while Marcello Hernandez, Molly Kearney, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker remained as featured. In early October, comedian Chloe Troast joined the cast.

Notable moments so far include Shane Gillis hosting and referencing in his monologue that he was fired for making allegedly racist and homophobic jokes before appearing in a single episode, plus Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney appearing in a Hooters-based sketch.

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