[Photo courtesy of Ryan Clemens] 

By Morgan Eisaman, Columns Editor

Long-running sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live is set to premiere its 50^th season on September 28, and NBC has released the hosts and musical guests for the season’s first five episodes. 

The season will kick off on Saturday with host Jean Smart and musical guest Jelly Roll. Both the actress and the musician will be making their SNL debuts.

On October 5, comedian Nate Bargatze returns as host with musical guests Coldplay. Bargatze made his debut in October of last year with Foo Fighters as the musical guests. Coldplay were also featured in February of the same year, playing “The Astronaut” and “Fix You.”

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Ariana Grande will be welcomed back to host on October 12 for the first time since 2016. The singer previously appeared in a few sketches and performed songs from her seventh studio album eternal sunshine in March of this year. Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks is this episode’s musical guest, making her first appearance since she performed “Nightbird” during Season 9. 

Looking ahead to October 19, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice actor Michael Keaton will host. Billie Eilish, a seasoned SNL regular, will return for her fourth performance as musical guest. The singer most recently performed during a holiday-themed episode last season performing songs like “What Was I Made For” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”. 

The last line up consists of former SNL writer John Mulaney accompanied by rising pop star Chappell Roan. The comedian and singer will be featured as host and musical guest on the episode set to premiere on November 2.