Kate McKinnon, beloved alum of Saturday Night Live, expressed her interest in returning for SNL’s historic 50th season during an interview on the Today show. When asked if she would be part of the 50th season, McKinnon humorously replied that she still lives in New York and it’s not too far of a train ride, indicating her willingness to return. She emphatically stated, “Yeah I’ll come back. I’d love to come back.”
Kate McKinnon is widely regarded as one of the most popular alumni of Saturday Night Live (SNL) in recent years. She stands out as the only cast member from the past decade to have secured a spot in the top 10 of the best Saturday Night Live cast members ranking. During her impressive 11-season run on the show from 2012 to 2022, McKinnon showcased her exceptional talent for political impersonations and introduced unforgettable characters such as the world-weary actress Debette Goldry and the alien abductee Colleen Rafferty.
Since leaving SNL, McKinnon has successfully maintained the momentum of her career in film and television, a feat that eludes many SNL alumni. Her notable appearance in the 2023 hit movie Barbie has solidified her status as a sought-after talent in the entertainment industry. As SNL gears up for its semicentennial, McKinnon would undoubtedly be a highly anticipated addition to the milestone celebration.
The season 50 premiere of SNL featured the talented Jean Smart as the host, with musical guest Jelly Roll. The episode also welcomed a star-studded lineup of past SNL alumni, including Maya Rudolph, Dana Carvey, and Andy Samberg. Additionally, fans were treated to the debut of Jason Reitman’s SNL origin-story movie, Saturday Night, in select theaters, with a wide release scheduled for October 11th.
NBC has recently unveiled the hosts and musical guests for the first five episodes of season 50 of SNL. The star-studded lineup includes the likes of John Mulaney, Chappell Roan, Ariana Grande, and Michael Keaton. The first episode promises a plethora of bonus guests, hinting at an exciting season ahead. With the official 50th-anniversary special scheduled to air on Feb. 16, viewers can expect each episode to be a wild ride. Kate McKinnon may also have significant involvement leading up to the anniversary special, given her history of collaborations with current cast members such as Michael Che, Colin Jost, Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Chloe Fineman, Bowen Yang, Andrew Dismukes, James Austin Johnson, and Sarah Sherman.
The summer between the conclusion of season 49 and the commencement of season 50 saw the departures of Punkie Johnson, Molly Kearney, and Chloe Troast. On the flip side, three new cast members, namely Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline, have been added to the roster.