Jean Smart Hosts 'Saturday Night Live' as Show Kicks Off 50th Season

Akash Deep -

Saturday Night Live (SNL) marked the beginning of its historic 50th season on September 28, 2024, with the esteemed actress Jean Smart as the host and Jelly Roll as the musical guest. This milestone episode was a significant moment for both the show and Smart, who, at 73 years old, has finally achieved her 'bucket list' goal of hosting SNL after a more than 40-year career in television and film.

Jean Smart, known for her roles in Hacks and Designing Women, brought her unique blend of humor and charm to the stage. Her opening monologue was filled with jokes, including a humorous remark about how this was the 'first Saturday that worked with my schedule'. Smart also sang and poked fun at various topics, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams and her apparent appeal to lesbians, declaring 'Lesbians are obsessed with me'.

Musical Guest and Other Highlights

Jelly Roll, a country singer and rapper, made his SNL debut as the musical guest, performing his hits to kick off the new season. This season promises to be filled with exciting guests, including upcoming hosts Nate Bargatze with musical guest Coldplay, Ariana Grande with Stevie Nicks, Michael Keaton with Billie Eilish, and John Mulaney with Chappell Roan.

The season also sees the return of former cast member Maya Rudolph, who will once again play the role of Vice President Kamala Harris. Rudolph has previously won an Emmy for her portrayal of Harris and is expected to appear in the cold open of future episodes.

Celebrating 50 Years of SNL

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, SNL will feature a three-hour primetime special on February 16, 2025, which will include a wide range of stars who have been part of the show's history. This special is expected to feature appearances by Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Robert Downey Jr., Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Will Ferrell, among others.

The show's enduring legacy, which began on October 11, 1975, with George Carlin as the host and musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian, continues to be celebrated through various tributes and reflections, including the newly released Jason Reitman film 'Saturday Night,' which documents and reenacts the debut show.