SNL Set For Comeback Amid Writer's Strike Resolution
Saturday Night Live (SNL) fans have reason to celebrate; the iconic late-night show is set for a robust comeback after a tentative agreement between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Studios. The NBC stalwart had its Season 48 curtailed by three episodes due to a writers' strike that began in early May. Inside sources at Deadline confirm that the show could potentially make a return as early as October 7 or 14, contingent upon a WGA ratification vote.
The current situation mirrors a similar event in 2008 when a previous writers' strike ended and Season 33 of SNL resumed on February 18, for an episode aired on February 23. That episode was hosted by former SNL ensemble player and 30 Rock star Tina Fey, with Carrie Underwood as the musical guest.
However, this situation throws in a few additional curveballs - the last time, the actors were not also on strike. SNL, much like other late-night shows and reality TV, falls under SAG-AFTRA’s Network Code, theoretically permitting everyone to return to work.
Despite this, given that SAG-AFTRA is still awaiting its return to the negotiation table with the AMPTP and is on strike, certain cast members might be reticent to return unless that too is settled. Speculations point to that resolution being, at the earliest, two to three weeks away.
Several unanswered questions add to the anticipation, especially around the uncertainty related to the cast. Will regulars like Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Colin Jost, Ego Nwodim, Kenan Thompson, and Bowen Yang return? Further, the promotion of James Austin Johnson and Sarah Sherman to repertory status, and whether recent hires like Marcelo Hernandez, Molly Kearney, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker will return need clarity.
Creator and showrunner Lorne Michaels has major decisions ahead about new cast members. Also, hosting choices will be complex; it's doubtful SAG-AFTRA members would be willing to host until their deal is resolved. Last season's hosts, predominantly actors, included Miles Teller, Steve Martin, and Martin Short. The lion's share of speculation about future hosts point towards the likes of Taylor Swift, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, rising rapper Ice Spice, and Kansas City Chief's tight end Travis Kelce.
So what's a seasoned industry veteran to make of this turn of events? SNL has been a cultural staple for decades - producing stars, shaping political satire, and nursing our collective weekends with witty sketches and comedic solace. To say it's been sorely missed during the strike would be an understatement.
The current complications add an exciting twist to the SNL narrative. Will the regulars return? Will the strike imbue the writing with increased vitality or edge? And who will step into hosting duties amidst the tensions? Admittedly, I find myself split.
On one hand, I'm rooting for meaningful negotiation outcomes that respect the talents and demands of the industry's lifeblood - the writers and actors. On the other, the prospect of seeing Taylor Swift trading her guitar for sketch scripts, or witnessing AOC's witty repartee navigate the sketch comedy world, is nothing short of inviting.
In all honesty, the element of surprise has always been a part of SNL's enduring allure. This situation, convoluted as it may appear, might well be the set-up for a season that's as unpredictably brilliant as the show's lineage itself. Remember folks, it's not just 'Live from New York on Saturday Night' - it's the constancy of change in the world of Hollywood. May the strike end soon, may the negotiations succeed. And meanwhile, let the speculations for Season 49 continue to amuse us in this ongoing intermission.
