Jean Smart Hosts Saturday Night Live Season Premiere

The 50th season premiere of 'Saturday Night Live' featured Jean Smart as host, marking a historic moment for the show. Smart, a six-time Emmy winner, delivered a lively monologue reflecting on her long-awaited debut and her affection for New York City, even humorously referencing its garbage. The episode also included a cold open portraying a political rally with Maya Rudolph returning as Kamala Harris and James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump, showcasing comedic takes on the current election climate. Despite Smart's comedic talent, some sketches did not fully utilize her skills, and the pacing felt rushed due to the abundance of topics covered. The show will have a proper celebration of its milestone anniversary in February, while the premiere focused on current events and a strong 'Weekend Update' segment. Musical guest Jelly Roll rounded out the night, contributing to a vibrant and memorable episode.