Jean Smart to Host “Saturday Night Live” for the First Time

NEW YORK (AP) — “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) is poised to commence its 50th season with celebrated actress Jean Smart at the helm as host, accompanied by musical performance from Jelly Roll. The announcement marks a career milestone for Smart, a 73-year-old actress renowned for her roles in “Hacks” and “Designing Women.” Despite a prolific career spanning over four decades, Smart is hosting the iconic NBC sketch comedy for the first time. She expressed her excitement about the opportunity on Instagram, calling it a “bucket list” achievement.

In an interesting development for the upcoming season, former cast member Maya Rudolph is expected to make a return. Reports suggest she might reprise her role as Vice President Kamala Harris, aligning with the show’s tradition of opening episodes with current political themes. Rudolph has previously appeared as Harris and even won an Emmy for her portrayal, although she has not portrayed a presidential candidate yet.

Lorne Michaels, the creator and long-standing executive producer of SNL, continues to guide the show, which he launched with the first episode aired on October 11, 1975. That inaugural episode featured comedian George Carlin as the host and musical performances by Billy Preston and Janis Ian. The original cast, known as the Not Ready for Prime Time Players, included Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, and Garrett Morris.

The current season will feature Jelly Roll, the country singer, and rapper, who will make his SNL debut as the musical guest alongside Jean Smart’s hosting. The show is also part of a broader reflection on SNL’s legacy, highlighted in the newly released Jason Reitman film “Saturday Night,” which reenacts the inaugural episode as the show prepares for its half-century celebration.

The upcoming season will showcase an impressive lineup, including Nate Bargatze with Coldplay, Ariana Grande with Stevie Nicks, Michael Keaton with Billie Eilish, and John Mulaney alongside Chappell Roan. SNL’s 50th season is expected to culminate in a three-hour primetime special scheduled for February 16, featuring numerous stars who rose to fame through the show, such as Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, and Tina Fey.