The writers strike is finally over, meaning one of television’s most beloved shows is about to be back on our screens: Saturday Night Live.
Per an announcement on X, formerly Twitter, Season 49 of the sketch comedy show will premiere on October 14. SNL’s core cast is great, but it’s the hosts and musical guests that truly set the episodes apart. The premiere will be hosted by former cast member Pete Davidson, who left the show in 2022, with “Barbie World” rapper Ice Spice as the musical guest. The following week, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny will do double duty as both host and musical guest.
These are all solid choices, but let’s be real: we can do better. And the internet has a few ideas how, with users posting their dream host and musical guest pairings for the new season.
And don’t worry — even though the actors union is still on strike, SAG-AFTRA has cleared members of the union to appear on SNL as hosts, guests, and cast members, so there’s no scabbing here.
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Far and away the most requested host is the people’s princess, Ayo Edebiri. The actor could appear alongside any number of co-hosts or musical guests and we’d be happy: her Bottoms costar Rachel Sennott, pop stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, and even gag choices like Jeremy Strong (in character as Kendall Roy from Succession, naturally) or Hozier so Edebiri can break out her famous (infamous?) Irish accent.
Of course, there’s the appeal of having gay icons on the show, like the one and only Jennifer Coolidge. The White Lotus star was slated to host the Season 48 finale, which was canceled due to the strike, so it’s only fair that she comes back and gives us the all-time great episode we deserve.
And if we’re having one mother on, why not two? Pair her with Kylie Minogue to promote her new album Tension and give us a live rendition of “Padam Padam.” The gay world would be forever changed.
Hosting duos with unorthodox connections could make for great TV, too. Take, for example, our two Harley Quinns: Margot Robbie, who played Quinn in the Suicide Squad movies and Birds of Prey, and Lady Gaga, who will be the Quinn to Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker in the upcoming Joker: Folie à Deux.
Let’s hope Lorne Michaels is taking notes.
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