The Season 47 finale of Saturday Night Live left fans to wade through the intense emotion surrounding the departure of several beloved cast members, including Kate McKinnon and Aidy Bryant. Though the show favorites will be missed, SNL aficionados know that the program must face a new era, which will certainly lead to the emergence of fresh talent and new content.
Along with a new era for the show’s cast and writers, the sketch program must also welcome new hosts in the season 48 lineup. Though fan favorites like Tom Hanks or Paul Rudd will always be welcomed among SNL’s devoted viewers, some new faces and rising talents may prove to give the long-running sketch show an extra ratings and vitality boost as it nears its golden anniversary.
Nicole Byer
Prolific comedian, Nicole Byer has been making people laugh for years as an actress, podcast/TV host and on stage. Though most consumers of today’s comedy know Byer from at least one facet of her eclectic career, she has yet to achieve the level of fame that matches her talent and willingness to participate in all forms of comedy.
Having Byer as a season 48 host would be of mutual benefit to the comedian and the long-running sketch show. Contemporary comedy fans follow Byer’s work across her many TV appearances and podcasts and would definitely tune in to view her Saturday Night Live debut. Byer’s open personality and warm sense of humor would make for a strong episode in season 48.
Millie Bobby Brown
Since her debut as Eleven in Netflix’s Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown has proven to be a top talent of her generation. The long-awaited premier of season 4 of the 1980s-themed thriller reignited Brown’s star power and fans are anxious to find out how she plans to continue her acting career into her early adulthood.
Brown has often shown her silly and playful sides on the late-night talk show circuits and an appearance on SNL could certainly bridge the gap between the career that she forged in childhood to her new, budding career as a young adult. In 2023, Brown is set to star in the new film Damsel, which makes for a great time to add her to the host docket.
Elizabeth Olsen
With the major success of WandaVision, SNL and Marvel fans have been clamoring to see Elizabeth Olsen host the late-night sketch comedy show for quite some time. Olsen made a brief cameo appearance in season 47, playing herself in a sketch titled “The Understudy,” alongside her Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness co-star, Benedict Cumberbatch.
Olsen’s knack for toeing the line between drama and comedy would certainly help her stand out in both pre-taped appearances and live sketches. An Olsen-led episode could also potentially lead to cameo appearances by Marvel co-stars and perhaps even her elusive, older sisters and previous SNL hosts, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Lil Nas X
Lil Nas X proved that he could captivate SNL audiences with his dynamic turn as musical guest on a season 46 episode hosted by Anya Taylor-Joy. The rapper made a splash with his appearance in a pre-taped musical sketch titled “Pride Month Song.” His quick cameo in the sketch offered a glimpse of how the show could creatively utilize Lil Nas X if he were given the chance to host.
Though Lil Nas X gave explosive performances to his songs “Montero” and “Sun Goes Down,” the lingering memory for some viewers happened with the rapper accidentally split his pants during his dance routine. The wardrobe incident endeared Lil Nas X to those watching the performance, but a turn as host could lead to a plethora of new, brilliant ways to use the rapper’s humor and willingness to play.
Jana Schmieding
Since her 2021 debut on the Peacock original series, Rutherford Falls, Jana Schmieding has proven that she is a dynamic, comedic force. Schmieding, on an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, shared her tale of fighting to find her place in television against a number of issues including a major lack of inclusion of Indigenous artists. Both Rutherford Falls and SNL are owned by NBCUniversal and a Schmieding episode could bring crossover viewership.
Schmieding has all the makings of a proper SNL host and has proven that she has strong comedic acting and writing talents. Along with Schmieding’s comedic chops, her appearance could also offer the opportunity to represent Indigenous performers on the show. The popular sketch program has yet to offer Native American representation despite the fact that it has spent nearly five decades on screen.
Aubrey Plaza
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Saturday Night Live fans know that Aubrey Plaza is one of many celebrities that once had their turn to audition for the show. Of course, her fans know that Plaza didn’t get her chance to join the cast and instead won her breakout role as April on NBC’s Parks and Recreation. Aubrey Plaza cut her comedy teeth at SNL’s home network of NBC and giving her a turn as host would make for a terrific episode of season 48.
Plaza is full of hilarious quirks and frequently shines as a guest on late-night talk shows like Late Night with Seth Meyers. Those that know her work on Parks and Recreation are familiar with her deadpan humor, but Plaza’s unique roles in films like Ingrid Goes West and Happiest Season prove that the actress is multi-faceted.
Vanessa Bayer
It’s been five years since the hilarious Vanessa Bayer ended her run at Saturday Night Live and her fans are ready to see her return. Though Bayer has led a steady career in film and TV spots over the years, 2022 finally brought her leading-lady success through the charming Showtime comedy I Love That For You. Season 47 featured the returns of alums Jason Sudeikis and Will Forte and Bayer’s fans are hoping for the alumni-as-host streak continue into season 48.
With Bayer at the helm, viewers could be treated to appearances by Bayer’s unique humor and classic characters like Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy. Much like Will Forte’s turn as host, an episode featuring Bayer could lead to a number of surprises and the exciting potential of cameos by her I Love That For You castmates Jennifer Lewis, Matt Rogers and fellow SNL alumni, Molly Shannon.
Ziwe
Perhaps one of the most unique comedic voices of today, Ziwe’s subversive approach to humor has certainly warranted her a spot on SNL’s season 48 lineup. Another example of a performer that deserves more recognition, Ziwe would be an excellent departure from the standard host model of an actor promoting a film. Ziwe’s clever comedy and sharp voice would certainly shake up the SNL platform.
The success of Ziwe’s late-night talk show on Showtime has done much to boost Ziwe’s reputation as a formidable talent. SNL’s history of shining its established spotlight on the world’s up-and-comers would present an excellent opportunity for the comedian. Ziwe is known for her methodical explorations of topical and long-embedded issues, her fresh perspectives and playful personality would make for an exciting episode of SNL.
Jordan Peele
A sketch comedy veteran and extremely successful filmmaker, Jordan Peele’s fans are wondering why he has not yet stepped into the host’s position at SNL. Peele’s career is exploding in all-new directions with the release of his horror-filled films Get Out and Nope, though Peele’s knack for celebrity impressions and silly characters make him an ideal SNL guest host.
Peele’s comedy partner, Keegan-Michael Key, had his turn to host in season 46 and turned out a dynamic episode. Jordan Peele’s time spent on the set of his horror films could offer parody content and SNL would have a guaranteed success when using Peele in any number of sketch genres. With new film projects slated for release in 2022, Jordan Peele would make for an excellent choice to host SNL, a show that is regularly partnered with artists promoting new projects.
Beyoncé
Though she’s not exactly known for her comedic abilities, Beyoncé and her bee hive of fans could create explosive hype around her appearance as a host on SNL. The music mega-star has never hosted Saturday Night Live, but her fans remember her iconic appearance in a parody of her “Single Ladies” music video, co-starring Justin Timberlake. Used to grueling performance schedules, Beyoncé could certainly pull both host and musical guest duties.
Though Beyoncé’s comedic abilities have been scrutinized in the past, she’s proven her acting talent time and again in her music videos and films like Dream Girls. Even though her highly anticipated album, Renaissance was released in the summer ahead of season 48, Beyoncé’s sheer star power warrants a place on either the season premier or finale, whether she has a new project to promote.
