Posted in: NBC, Peacock, TV | Tagged: saturday night live, snl

SNL 51 Host Melissa McCarthy Checks In Early From Studio 8H

We typically expect NBC's Saturday Night Live to start the big push for the weekend on Wednesdays, but host Melissa McCarthy couldn't wait.

After a two-week holiday break, NBC's Saturday Night Live returns this weekend with the first of three new shows before the end of the year. This weekend, we've got host Melissa McCarthy and musical guest Dijon, with host Josh O'Connor and musical guest Lily Allen set for December 13th. Following that, the midseason finale will feature host Ariana Grande and musical guest Cher on December 20th. Will SNL be able to build off the momentum of the best show of the season so far? Considering that Season 51 seems to cater to comedic actors, McCarthy has us feeling really good about Saturday night. In fact, McCarthy and SNL broke from the weekly tradition by checking in on Monday night – here's a look:

SNL is the most Emmy-winning show in history and holds 113 Emmy wins (including awards for its specials and short-form series). SNL has been honored four times with the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The show continues to garner the highest ratings and largest audience of any late-night television program, entertaining millions each week on linear and digital platforms.

Since its inception in 1975, SNL has launched the careers of many of the brightest comedy performers of their generation. SNL makes headlines with topical humor reflecting politics and current events, features an array of characters with a perspective on pop culture that remains unparalleled, and offers sharp political commentary through its signature "Weekend Update" segment. A variety show that is truly one of a kind, SNL also attracts the biggest stars of music to its stage for innovative viral performances.

The Season 51 cast includes Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernandez, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, and Bowen Yang, along with current featured players Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline. Joining them are newcomers Ben Marshall, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.

New writers for this season include actor-writer Jack Bensinger (Rap World), stand-up comedian Jo Sunday (Just for Laughs), comic Maddie Wiener (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), actor and writer Rachel Pegram (Harley Quinn), writer-comedian Claire McFadden (Second City), Maxwell Gay (The Harvard Lampoon), and Tucker Flodman (The Harvard Lampoon). NBC's Saturday Night Live premiered on Oct. 11, 1975, and broadcasts live from NBC's famed Studio 8H in New York City's Rockefeller Center. The program is a production of Broadway Video in association with SNL Studios. Lorne Michaels is the executive producer.

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