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SNL S51: NEW CAST, RUMORED GUESTS, & MORE LORE
"Saturday Night Live," once known as the preeminent late-night comedic show, has seen better days. From rumors around its questionable working conditions to hosting drama to beef between co-stars, SNL has struggled to keep its spark alive–at least without some controversy. As the 51st season gears up next month, Deuxmoi has received exclusive intel on cast departures, new arrivals, and allegedly confirmed hosts and musical guests.
Amidst ongoing speculation over who would be spared for the upcoming season, several cast members were let go in the past few weeks, including the iconic Heidi Gardner (eight seasons of stellar comedy!). As reported on Deux/U’s September 4th podcast episode, a source spilled to Deuxmoi just what has been going down at Studio 8H. The insider said that “if you thought the cast cuts coming out of the woodwork were the worst of it, ohhh boy it’s [going to] get messier.”
*mic drops*
Although we originally questioned the validity of the source’s predictions, they have seemingly lined up with cast-related announcements. Allegedly, the notorious showrunner “Lorne [Michaels] is only keeping four [current] cast members: James Austin Johnson, Marcello [Hernandez], Kenan [Thompson], Ashley [Padilla], [and] possibly Sarah [Sherman] too–but he’s still deciding.” Michaels himself confirmed that the cast would not be what it once was, while reaffirming Johnson’s return for the new season. The latter comedians’ cast statuses have yet to be officially determined.
Aside from Gardner’s unexpected farewell, NBC verified that Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim would be taking their talents elsewhere. It’s worth noting that Walker posted the environment could “be toxic as hell,” despite the crew being an unconventional “little family.” Deuxmoi’s source also hinted at Please Don’t Destroy’s on-screen fate. The bro trio, composed of long-time friends Martin Herlihy, Ben Marshall, and John Higgins, “is being split up–[but] not by choice.” Upping the ante(a), the source added, “One is joining as a new cast member, another is staying as a writer, and the last one is leaving entirely. It’s your guess as to who’s doing what.” Earlier this week, Variety reported that Higgins would be exiting (and going to Hollywood). Meanwhile, Herlihy will be downgraded to a writer for the show, per the outlet and our source.
In terms of newbies, the network announced that Marshall would be promoted as a cast member, while introducing four comedic newcomers: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. Deuxmoi’s source indicated that “there are currently six confirmed new [members].” The rookie comics have been officially accounted for, but allegedly more will still unfold. So the source’s story goes, “As for the other two, they are also currently writers, but more importantly, they’re the new Update anchors. One was tested among a recently cut sardonic funnyman whose firing is getting major backlash, and the other is dating a cast member–who’s fuming because she was sure she wasn’t getting the boot.”
Switching gears, Deuxmoi’s source kept our attention on the hosting and musical guest fronts. Per the source’s email, “expect a recently engaged A+++ lister and a small but scrumptious pop singer” [to appear] on “double duty.” If the source’s whispers are true, besties (and soon-to-be collaborators) Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter would seemingly act as hosts and the evening’s musical entertainment on different episodes. Exclusively on the hosting side, the source divulged “this football-player playing tv show/dystopian game show player playing movie star [has been tapped] to host.” Participating as a musical guest, “a certain girl group [who] just booked a jeans commercial [will be a] musical guest–whether they’re on the same episode is yet to be determined.” Our best guesses would be on Glen Powell and Katseye. Powell’s new dystopian action film, "The Running Man", will be released on November 7th, while Katseye launched a viral campaign with Gap.
Despite the show’s evolution, the source acknowledged that allegedly they will not “be updating the home stage.” Sigh.
SNL’s 51st season premiere will air on Saturday, October 4th, exclusively on NBC and Peacock. Until then, we will be keeping our eyes and ears peeled for more official announcements (or RIPs)…
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