Saturday Night Live: What to watch for with host Seth Meyers

Seth Meyers returns home to Saturday Night Live tonight, hosting for the first time since he left as head writer and Weekend Update anchor in 2014. Here’s what to look for on tonight’s episode.

Who doesn’t love a homecoming? For Seth Meyers, it seems long overdue for the Late Night host to return to Studio 8H. It hasn’t been that long since he was an Saturday Night Live cast member and writer. But it feels that way considering his castmates like Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, and Fred Armisen have already hosted.

Typically when an SNL alumnus returns to host, audiences expect a favorite character or recurring sketch to be dusted off. Things are a little different with Meyers considering he made his mark much more as head writer and Weekend Update anchor than as a performer. We’ve already looked back at some of  his more memorable turns as a sketch performer. However, it’s unlikely that any of those characters will show up on Oct. 13.

So with that in mind, here is what to look for on tonight’s episode of Saturday Night Live, both from Meyers and the rest of the cast in episode three of season 44.

Will Alec Baldwin finally return as President Trump?

The biggest part of last season was by far Alec Baldwin’s portrayal of Donald Trump. The performances earned Baldwin an Emmy and was consistently a highlight of each week. And while Baldwin has suggested the impression is painful to continually perform, it has caught the scorn of Trump himself and been a source of publicity for SNL.

Considering how often the show takes aim at the president and that it was coming off summer break, most assumed that Baldwin’s Trump would be featured in the season premiere. Instead, the major cameo when to Matt Damon as Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The following week was again without a Trump sketch.

So will Baldwin finally put on the wig and fake tan for Seth Meyers? He may have let the cat out of the bag during his appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon:

So look for Baldwin’s Trump to be featured in the cold open as is typical when he returns to SNL. There is never any shortage of material when it comes to Trump so the writers may have a lot to get off their chests after taking the summer off.

Seth Meyers at the Weekend Update desk

It isn’t often that hosts are featured in bits during Weekend Update. It is typically reserved for cast members to show off popular characters or deliver monologues like Pete Davidson has made his staple. But how many hosts have a connection to the Weekend Update desk like Seth Meyers does?

Expect to see Meyers come to the desk after the first few rounds of jokes from current hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che. A similar strategy has been used for anchors-turned-hosts like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

The real question will be if Meyers’ return to Weekend Update means the return of any characters he often had as a guest. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Meyers had friend and former SNL writer John Mulaney in to help out with material. And as most know, Mulaney is the brains behind Stefon, portrayed by Bill Hader. If the stars align, then perhaps Stefon will help celebrate Meyers return to the desk.

Other surprises that would be welcomed would be Bobby Moynihan’s Drunk Uncle, Amy Poehler back for “Really!?! With Seth and Amy,” or Jason Sudeikis as The Devil.

Kanye West vs. Saturday Night Live

It seemed like last week SNL got its revenge on Kanye West for holding the stage hostage following the season premiere. The rapper called SNL bullies for trying to keep him from wearing his “Make American Great Again” hat and voicing his support for President Trump. Pete Davidson offered the show’s rebuttal:

So with that you’d think things were over between West and SNL. But one of the biggest stories of the week was West’s visit to the White House as a guest of President Trump. West’s 10-minute long rant made headlines and can’t be ignored by SNL. With Alec Baldwin expected to return as the president, it will be a two-for-one special if the cold open lampoons the West/Trump summit.

So that’s what to watch for tonight as Seth Meyers returns to host Saturday Night Live. The musical guest is Paul Simon, himself a four time host and eight time musical act. Watch it all unfold on NBC at 11:35 EST and come back to Last Night On for a recap of the night’s best!