SNL kicks off 51st season with Bad Bunny host, Doja Cat musical guest

Saturday Night Live returned to the air on Saturday, Oct. 4, launching its 51st season with Bad Bunny as host and Doja Cat as musical guest in the series premiere broadcast live from Studio 8H in New York. The episode marked the start of a season that blends a significant cast turnover with several new featured players and a continued focus on high-profile musical and celebrity guests.

The show opened amid one of its largest off-season cast changes in years. Longtime performers Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim are among five cast members who left the series during the break, along with Devon Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow. The departures follow SNL’s milestone 50th season and anniversary programming, which won multiple Emmy awards. Producers have replenished the ensemble by adding five new featured players: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska. Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline return as featured players as well.

Ben Marshall’s elevation to the cast comes after several seasons as a writer and performer associated with the comedy group Please Don’t Destroy. The group’s role on the show has shifted, with Marshall now part of the...