SNL fans rejoice: LateNighter has learned that Saturday Night Live will return for its 50th season on September 28, 2024.
As has become tradition in election years, the premiere is earlier than usual; typically, SNL kicks off its season in mid-October. However, between the presidential election and the 50th anniversary of the iconic late-night show (which premiered on October 11, 1975), it’s not exactly an ordinary year.
That said, SNL’s return still isn’t early enough to cover the planned second debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, which is slated to take place on September 10 (that is, assuming the debate still happens).
If recent tradition holds, SNL will air an uninterrupted series of six or seven live shows through Election Day (November 5). Usually, the show only airs three episodes in a row before going dark for at least a week.
The show’s 50th season is sure to be a memorable one. In May, NBC announced that it will be throwing a “seven-month long party” to commemorate the the show’s half-century. The planned celebration will include the November election special, new holiday specials, music specials, a documentary series, and a comedy special at Radio City Music Hall.
Additionally, a live, three-hour SNL 50 Primetime Special will air on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 8 p.m. ET. The show’s last anniversary special aired back in 2015, celebrating SNL’s 40th.
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