SNL Season 51 Cast Revealed: Kenan Thompson Makes History with 23rd Season

I’m Jaden Patel, and I’ll be guiding you through the latest updates on Saturday Night Live with a dash of dry humor and a pinch of sarcasm. As the iconic sketch comedy series prepares for its 51st season, fans are buzzing with excitement – and a bit of disappointment – over the newly announced cast.

Live from New York, it’s Saturday night, and SNL has finally confirmed its lineup for the upcoming season, which premieres on October 4. In a move that’s being hailed as historic, Kenan Thompson will return for an impressive 23rd season on the show. Yes, you read that right – 23 years of making us laugh, and still going strong. Thompson isn’t the only one reprising their role; Bowen Yang, Ego Nwodim, and Chloe Fineman are also back for another season of hilarious sketches and memorable characters.

But that’s not all – Colin Jost and Michael Che will continue to anchor the popular “Weekend Update” segment for their 12th year, putting to rest rumors that creator Lorne Michaels was considering new anchors. Jost’s wife, Scarlett Johansson, even spilled the beans on her husband’s return, tweeting that he was “going back to work” just before the official announcement.

Other familiar faces returning to Studio 8H include Mikey Day, Sarah Sherman, Marcello Hernández, Andrew Dismukes, and James Austin Johnson, as well as newcomers from Season 50, Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline. However, not everyone is sticking around – Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, and Heidi Gardner will not be returning. Walker, who announced his exit last month, reflected on his time on the show, describing it as a “f–ked up lil family” that was “sometimes really cool” and “sometimes toxic as hell.”

Wakim and Longfellow soon followed suit, sharing their own bittersweet farewells on social media. Wakim called her experience on SNL “the most terrifying, thrilling and rewarding experience of my life,” while Longfellow described it as “the best three years of my life so far.” Fineman, on the other hand, seemed to hint at her return when she bid Longfellow farewell on Instagram, writing “Will miss ur sleepy ass at pre-tapes.”

As for Gardner, her exit was confirmed last month after an impressive eight seasons as the longest-tenured woman on the show. An insider revealed that her contract was not renewed, citing that “it’s time for a new cast.” Meanwhile, five new featured players are set to join the show: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall from Please Don’t Destroy, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.

With this fresh lineup and returning cast members, SNL Season 51 promises to be just as entertaining and unpredictable as ever. Will Thompson continue to break records and push the boundaries of comedy? Can the newbies bring a fresh perspective to the show? And what about the rumors surrounding Lorne Michaels’ plans for the future of SNL? One thing’s for sure – we’ll be tuning in on October 4 to find out.

In the world of SNL, change is the only constant, and this season is shaping up to be just as exciting as the last. With a mix of old and new faces, hilarious sketches, and memorable characters, SNL Season 51 is sure to be a wild ride.

As the curtain closes on this update, let’s just say that SNL continues to be the gift that keeps on giving – laughter, excitement, and a healthy dose of drama. And who knows what’s in store for the cast and crew? Only time (and a few more episodes) will tell.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and Variety, The New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed