Saturday Night Live season 50 is the most anticipated year of SNL in recent memory. The milestone season combined with an election year created a perfect storm of comedy, and one that should attract entertainment's biggest stars.
With an anniversary special set for February, Saturday Night Live will be looking back as it celebrates half a century on the air. Even before the season began, speculation ran wild that there would be a constant flow of former cast members and SNL friends coming through Studio 8H.
And while some cameos got shut down before things even started (sorry, Donald and Kamala), others like Maya Rudolph were announced early to help build hype. Last Night On's episode-by-episode guide will track every Saturday Night Live season 50 cameo
Episode 1: Jean Smart/Jelly Roll
The season 50 premiere wasted no time when it came to cameos. The cold open established who else would be on Team Harris alongside Maya Rudolph's Kamala Harris.
Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris
Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz
Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff
-Samberg also appears in the cut-for-time "Blonde Dragon People" sketch
Dana Carvey as Joe Biden
Additionally, Hannah Einbinder appeared with Jean Smart to introduce Jelly Roll's second musical performance.
Episode 2: Nate Bargatze/Coldplay
Another political cold open brought back the same four cameos from the premiere. Plus, some familiar faces appear in a pretaped sketch.
Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris
-Rudolph also appears in the SNL Digital Short "Sushi Glory Hole"
Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz
Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff
-Samberg also appears in the SNL Digital Short "Sushi Glory Hole"
Dana Carvey as Joe Biden
Akiva Schaffer in the SNL Digital Short "Sushi Glory Hole"
Episode 3: Ariana Grande/Stevie Nicks
Saturday Night Live's Team Harris quickly won over audiences. So it was no surprise to see the writers find another way to get all four cameos back in the cold open.
Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris
-Rudolph also appears in the "Castrati" sketch
Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz
Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff
-Samberg also appears in "Castrati" sketch
Dana Carvey as Joe Biden
-Carvey also appears in the "Maybelline" sketch
Episode 4: Michael Keaton/Billie Eilish
There was a bit of a shakeup in episode 4, as one star admitted that the writers couldn't find a way to shoehorn him into the cold open. But another surprise cameo added some extra buzz to the opening sketch.
Alec Baldwin as Bret Baier
Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris
Dana Carvey as Joe Biden
Andy Samberg as Beetlejuice in the monologue
Episode 5: John Mulaney/Chappell Roan
The last episode before the election was always going to get a lot of coverage. But then news broke just hours before SNL went live that a very special guest would appear.
Kamala Harris as herself
Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris
Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz
Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff
Dana Carvey as Joe Biden
Tim Kaine as himself in "What's That Name?"
Pete Davidson in "Port Authority Duane Reade"
Episode 6: Bill Burr/Mk.gee
All eyes were on Saturday Night Live for its first post-election show. Kamala Harris' defeat mean that Maya Rudolph and Jim Gaffigan were not in the the building. However, a character change kept another SNL alum on the show
Dana Carvey as Elon Musk
Episode 7: Charli XCX
It looks like Saturday Night Live isn't done with Dana Carvey just yet. Plus, another SNL alum stuck around but for a much differnt type of sketch, and a familiar face returned to the cold open.
Dana Carvey as Joe Biden and Al Pacino in "Wicked Auditions"
Alec Baldwin as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Kyle Mooney in the monologue and "Thanksgiving Baking Championship 2024"
Andy Samberg in "Here I Go"
Akiva Schaffer in "Here I Go"
Punkie Johnson appeared during the goodnights
Episode 8: Paul Mescal/Shaboozey
Saturday Night Live put the election in the rearview mirror for most of the episode. However, one political impressionist stuck around for a different reason. Plus, another SNL alum got a chance to shine.
Dana Carvey as the Church Lady
David Spade as Hunter Biden
Trisha Paytas in "Spotify Wrapped"
Episode 9: Chris Rock/Gracie Abrams
Airs December 14