Jean Smart Walks Among SNL Greats Steve Martin and Eddie Murphy Ahead of Historic Season 50 Premiere

This is Smart's first time hosting the long-running comedy series

Jean Smart is hosting Saturday Night Live’s season 50 premiere this weekend, but NBC’s first promo focuses more on the historical landmark than the Hacks actress' first-time hosting.

The promo, released on Wednesday, Sept. 25, begins with George Carlin’s legendary monologue from the first SNL episode, broadcast in October 1975. While Smart, 73, walked through the halls of Studio 8H, clips from other famous sketches and monologues play, including appearances from Steve Martin, Gilda Radner, Eddie Murphy and Drew Barrymore.

Once Smart reached the stage, she thought the promo would turn its attention to her, but that wasn't the case as more clips continued interrupting her narration. 

Host Jean Smart during Promos in Studio 8H on Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Jean Smart.

Rosalind O'Connor/NBC via Getty

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“Knock it off already, alright?” Smart yelled at the camera. “Geeze, can we make this a little bit more about me?” Just as Smart said she was pleased to host SNL, the spot cuts her off again at the end.

This will be Smart’s first time hosting SNL, despite being a familiar face on television since 1979. She is coming off her latest Emmy win, this time for Hacks, in which she plays comedian Deborah Vance. Smart has won six Emmys, including three consecutive awards for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series. 

Country music star Jelly Roll will serve as the musical guest for the season 50 premiere. The “Need a Favor” singer is preparing to release his latest album, Beautifully Broken, on Oct. 11.

Comedian Nate Bargatze and Coldplay will star in SNL’s Oct. 5 episode. Ariana Grande will host the Oct. 12 episode with Stevie Nicks as the musical guest. Michael Keaton and Billie Eilish were tapped for the Oct. 19 episode, while John Mulaney and Chappel Roan will lead the Nov. 2 show.

Jelly Roll attends the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024
Jelly Roll.

Amy Sussman/Getty

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SNL season 50 will also see three new cast members as Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline join. Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker were promoted to the main cast after two seasons as featured players. Michael Che and Colin Jost will return as “Weekend Update” anchors.

Former castmember Maya Rudolph will return to SNL to play Vice President Kamala Harris during the Democratic nominee’s run for the presidency. Rudolph previously played Harris during the 2020 presidential campaign.

SNL airs live on Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and past episodes are available to stream on Peacock.

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