Showrunner Lorne Michaels Hints at Possible Cast Changes for Season 51 of SNL
The cast of Saturday Night Live for season 51 may have a fresh look compared to last year’s lineup, as indicated by showrunner Lorne Michaels.
In a profile published on Sunday, August 24, by Puck, Michaels, age 80, expressed his desire to revamp the casting lineup.
“During last season’s premiere party at about four in the morning, Dana [Carvey], who portrayed Joe Biden, came up to me and said, ‘I don’t think anyone knows you called me on June 4th [to play Biden],’” Michaels recounted. “I wanted people to return and be part of [the 50th season].”
He elaborated, “So when Kate [McKinnon] hosted, Kristen [Wiig] and Maya [Rudolph] came back for that. This meant we needed to avoid any disruptions or anything that might distract from [the 50th season]. Plus, we had an election.”
SNL concluded its 50th season in the spring shortly after the electoral cycle. The cast featured prominent names like Kenan Thompson, Colin Jost, Michael Che, James Austin Johnson, Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman, Andrew Dismukes, Ego Nwodim, Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner, Bowen Yang, Marcello Hernández, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, along with several newcomers.
While speaking with Puck, Michaels acknowledged the pressure to rejuvenate the show for the upcoming season.
“Absolutely. An announcement will come in about a week,” Michaels teased, confirming only that Johnson’s position was secure. (Johnson, 36, portrayed President Donald Trump throughout season 50.)
While Michaels did not specify any other SNL cast members, he hinted at his plans to share certain responsibilities.
“This has already been happening over the past year or so. More individuals are participating in the choices and decisions,” Michaels stated. “There are many voices in that room with strong opinions. I ultimately make the final call, of course. But feedback is certainly shared.”
Michaels coordinated the grand-scale and celebrity-filled SNL50 festivities during the regular episodes last year.
“I hardly got to see anyone [during the show] or even at the party. I was at the front, needing access to the stage,” he recalled. “My family was there, and I was genuinely excited about that. I’d frequently make eye contact with people, and occasionally, I’d head to the control room. I didn’t get to spend time with anyone.”
