Colin Jost’s ‘SNL’ Return Sparks Excitement Amid Cast Shakeup

I’m Jaden Patel, and I’ll be guiding you through the latest celebrity gossip with a dash of dry humor. As the entertainment world continues to spin, one thing’s for certain: Colin Jost is back in the ‘SNL’ hot seat.

Scarlett Johansson recently spilled the tea on her husband’s return to “Saturday Night Live” for Season 51, and fans are buzzing with excitement. During an interview with Entertainment Weekly at the Toronto International Film Festival, Johansson confirmed that Jost is indeed heading back to Studio 8H. When asked about her husband’s return, Johansson casually mentioned, “He’s going back to work.”

The news comes on the heels of a dramatic cast shakeup, with four cast members – Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, and Heidi Gardner – announcing their exits. Walker, who was promoted to the main cast in 2024, was the first to break the news. Interestingly, he described the show as “toxic as hell” at times, but later clarified that his departure was a mutual decision with producers.

As for Jost, he’s been a staple on “SNL” since 2005, working as a staff writer before taking over as co-anchor of “Weekend Update” alongside Michael Che in 2014. However, during a 2024 interview on “The Howard Stern Show,” both Jost and Che expressed feelings of burnout. Che confessed that his brain is wired to the show’s clock, making it hard to imagine life without it. Jost chimed in, acknowledging that people can get burned out in different ways, especially when dealing with intense pressure over an extended period.

Despite these concerns, Jost’s return to the show has been confirmed, but it’s unclear if he’ll be participating in another iconic “Weekend Update” joke swap segment with Johansson and Che. As Johansson explained, the show’s modus operandi is to keep things spontaneous, often deciding on last-minute details just before the show.

Adding to the excitement, five new comedians – Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska – have joined the Season 51 cast. Notably, Marshall has been on “SNL” before, having worked as a writer since 2021 and making regular on-camera appearances with his comedy group, Please Don’t Destroy.

As the show prepares to premiere on October 4, fans are eagerly anticipating what’s in store for Season 51. With Jost’s return, new cast members, and Johansson’s potential involvement, it’s shaping up to be an interesting season.

In the world of entertainment, it’s clear that “SNL” is still a major player, and with its long history, it’s no surprise that cast members come and go. As for now, we’ll have to wait and see what Season 51 has in store.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Entertainment Weekly, The Howard Stern Show
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed