It isn’t often that Saturday Night Live cast news breaks the way Marvel or DC scoops do, but that’s where we are after a whirlwind week. A well-known scooper has now reported on possible additions to SNL’s cast, marking a rare development for the show. The extra attention comes after a wave of departures and shakeups that put the spotlight on who is coming and going at Studio 8H.
According to entertainment industry insider Jeff Sneider, Saturday Night Live is circling stand-up comedian Kam Patterson to join the cast for season 51. The Orlando native has gained a loyal following thanks to his appearances on the Kill Tony podcast and supporting tours.
Patterson is also branching out as an actor, with two upcoming projects that both feature Saturday Night Live stars. He has a supporting role in Busboys starring SNL alum David Spade, and he'll be in the Kevin Hart-led Netflix comedy 72 Hours that also features Marcello Hernandez and Ben Marshall.
Speaking of Marshall, Sneider reports the Please Don't Destroy member may join the Saturday Night Live cast full-time. This would allow Marshall, 30, to expand beyond PDD sketches. It also suggests that perhaps the comedy trio is going their separate ways. Last season saw a noticeable drop off in the number of digital shorts that made it to air.
BREAKING: Kam Patterson is being eyed to join SNL. He just worked with Marcello Hernandez on 72 HOURS. Apparently, Please Don’t Destroy’s Ben Marshall may ALSO join the cast for Season 51 and won’t just be limited to PDD shorts. Stay tuned, as decision time is almost here…
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) August 29, 2025
There's room for Marshall and Patterson in the cast after the departures of Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, and Heidi Gardner. It would be an easy transition for Marshall after spending years seeing how everything works at SNL and what it takes to get material on the show.
Patterson could potentially have a harder time if Lorne Michaels does, in fact, hire him for SNL. Stand-up comedians haven't exactly done well as cast members in recent years (Longfellow, Walker, Wakim). But perhaps there is behind-the-scenes buzz about his work in Busboys and 72 Hours that made its way back to Michaels.
Another possible obstacle is Patterson's history with Kill Tony. Host Tony Hinchcliffe received backlash for his racially charged set at a 2024 rally for Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden. While Patterson had nothing to do with it, it's not hard to imagine some fans reacting negatively to anyone coming to SNL from Hinchcliffe's sphere. Patterson also has some material with language that could offend other viewers, similar to the Shane Gillis fiasco. However, Lorne Michaels regrets firing Gillis and therefore probably won't bend to any pressure if he does, in fact, hire Patterson.