Saturday Night Live Premieres Season 51 With Major Cast Overhaul

As Saturday Night Live (SNL) enters its 51st season, the show is undergoing significant changes with a mix of cast exits and new additions, signaling a transitional phase. Longtime cast members like Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim have departed without major farewells, while veteran male cast members such as Kenan Thompson remain. Five new cast members aged 26 to 33 are joining, including Andrew Dismukes, who was promoted from writer to featured player and is part of the comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy. Showrunner Lorne Michaels, at 80, plans to "shake things up" to revitalize the series, acknowledging pressure to reinvent the show following its 50th anniversary. Additionally, James Austin Johnson’s portrayal of Donald Trump is highlighted as a notable feature for the season premiere. Meanwhile, an Off-Broadway play, "Not Ready for Prime Time," is set to dramatize the early days of SNL, celebrating the show’s legacy and original cast.