Daily News 19

Tag: kenan thompson

  • Jalen Brunson Hosts SNL Season 52 Premiere: How to Watch for Free

    Jalen Brunson Hosts SNL Season 52 Premiere: How to Watch for Free

    Key Highlights

    • NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has officially launched its 52nd season, marking over five decades of live sketch comedy broadcast from New York City.
    • The season premiere continues the show’s longstanding tradition of originating live from Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
    • As the longest-running late-night sketch comedy series in American television history, the milestone season underscores the program’s enduring cultural relevance.

    Season 52 Kicks Off From Studio 8H

    NBC has confirmed the debut of the 52nd season of “Saturday Night Live,” with the premiere episode broadcasting live from New York. The announcement, delivered in the program’s iconic opening cadence — “Live from New York, it’s the Season 52 premiere of ‘Saturday Night Live!’” — signals the continuation of a television institution that has shaped American comedy and political satire since its 1975 inception. The season premiere aired from the program’s historic home at Studio 8H inside 30 Rockefeller Plaza, maintaining the live-to-air format that has defined the series for more than half a century.

    A Legacy of Live Television

    Since its debut on October 11, 1975, under original producer Lorne Michaels, “Saturday Night Live” has aired more than 900 episodes across 51 previous seasons. The series has launched the careers of generations of comedic talent, from the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” — including Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, and Dan Aykroyd — through subsequent eras led by performers such as Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kate McKinnon, and Kenan Thompson, who currently holds the record for longest-tenured cast member. The show’s format, blending topical sketch comedy, musical performances, and the signature “Weekend Update” news parody, has proven remarkably resilient amid shifting media landscapes.

    Why This Matters

    The arrival of Season 52 reinforces “Saturday Night Live’s” status as a cultural barometer and a primary platform for real-time comedic response to national and global events. In an era of fragmented viewership and on-demand streaming, the program remains one of the few appointment-viewing live broadcasts on network television. Its season premieres traditionally set the tonal agenda for the year ahead, introducing new cast members, debuting recurring characters, and establishing the satirical lens through which the show will cover election cycles, pop culture moments, and breaking news. For NBC, the franchise remains a cornerstone of its late-night lineup and a critical asset for digital clip distribution across social platforms, where SNL segments routinely generate tens of millions of views.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When did Season 52 of “Saturday Night Live” premiere?
    The RSS source announces the Season 52 premiere but does not specify the exact air date. Season premieres typically occur in late September or early October; consult NBC’s official schedule for the confirmed date.
    Who is hosting the Season 52 premiere?
    The provided source does not identify the host or musical guest for the premiere episode. “Saturday Night Live” traditionally announces its host and musical guest pairings on a weekly basis leading up to each broadcast.
    Where is “Saturday Night Live” broadcast from?
    The show originates live from Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, as confirmed by the “Live from New York” opening declaration in the source announcement.
  • Best Celebrity Interview Podcasts This Week (Sept. 4, 2026)

    Best Celebrity Interview Podcasts This Week (Sept. 4, 2026)

    It comes as no surprise that interview podcasts and internet series are flooding digital feeds. Audiences are likely subscribed to a roster of creators, perhaps those featured in this year’s Mashable 101, or rely on algorithmic curation to surface the most viral clips. Time, however, is a finite resource. To that end, we have curated the standout conversations worth watching this week, spanning deadpan game shows, niche cultural deep dives, and wholesome exchanges between creative peers. Naturally, the lineup includes Mashable’s own Say More.

    1. Baby, This is Keke Palmer: Laverne Cox

    Emmy-winning actor, producer, podcaster, and author Laverne Cox joined Keke Palmer’s podcast this week for a wide-ranging, must-watch interview. Following the June release of her memoir Transcendent, Cox addressed a spectrum of topics, from dating her “MAGA ex” to her two years of celibacy and her ongoing advocacy for trans visibility and rights. The conversation reaches a profound depth as Cox reflects on healing from childhood trauma and abuse, resulting in a powerful, honest exchange that serves as a testament to both interviewer and interviewee.

    How to watch/listen: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Instagram, TikTok

    2. Gaydar: Anania x MUNA

    Are MUNA members Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson “gay, straight, or homophobes”? The “Dancing on the Wall” artists were put to the test by host Anania this week. The episode tasks the band with naming as many trans artists as possible in 10 seconds, unpacking lesbian national anthems and gender dysphoria, and ranking their tattoos. It is a thoroughly excellent watch.

    How to watch: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram

    3. Say More: Mark Stetson x Will Forte, John Cena and Lana Condor

    Want to watch John Cena take “Choose Your Squad” extremely seriously? Coyote vs. Acme stars Will Forte, John Cena, and Lana Condor joined Mashable executive producer Mark Stetson for the ultimate Looney Tunes showdown on this week’s Say More. It is hilariously no-nonsense entertainment watching Cena react as his top picks—including Pepé Le Pew and Granny—are swiped by his co-stars. The vengeance is real.

    Where to watch: Mashable, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok

    4. Royal Court: Brittany Broski x Adam Scott

    Brittany Broski and Adam Scott form an unexpected dream team in the latest episode of the creator and podcaster’s Royal Court. The pair unpack the film Hokum and the experience of being literally “shit-scared” during horror films, watching Fast Times at Ridgemont High too young, serving open-faced sandwiches during Party Down, and discovering The Twilight Zone as a kid.

    How to watch: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok

    5. Solid Air: Derrick Gee x Wednesday

    Artists nerding out over their favorite tracks with one of the internet’s go-to music commentators is a reliable formula. On this week’s Solid Air, Derrick Gee sat down at home with the North Carolina band Wednesday to dig into the music they love, from The Seraphims to Vatos Tristes. It is pure music appreciation.

    How to watch: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram

    6. Good Hang with Amy Poehler: Kenan Thompson

    Amy Poehler and Kenan Thompson have walked parallel comedy paths, a dynamic fully displayed in the latest episode of Good Hang. The Saturday Night Live veterans reconnected for Poehler’s podcast released Tuesday, with Thompson holding the distinction of the longest-tenured cast member in SNL history—over 22 seasons and counting.

    The longtime friends unpacked the art of timing in comedy and life, Thompson’s pre-SNL career (including the Mighty Ducks franchise), auditioning for SNL at 23, getting his own writing on the show with the recurring “Scared Straight” sketch, ice skating at the Rink at Rockefeller Center at 1 a.m. after filming SNL Christmas specials, and fanning out over American figure skater Alysa Liu. As always, the episode features a special guest question from Thompson and Poehler’s fellow SNL star Maya Rudolph.

    How to watch/listen: YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Instagram

    From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage, sign up for our Trending Now and Top Stories newsletters, or get Mashable push alerts to discover the internet’s most exciting voices.

  • Amy Poehler’s ‘Good Hang’ Episode with Kenan Thompson Delights SNL Fans

    Amy Poehler’s ‘Good Hang’ Episode with Kenan Thompson Delights SNL Fans

    Amy Poehler and Kenan Thompson Reunite on ‘Good Hang’ Podcast to Discuss Comedy Timing and SNL History

    Longtime friends and Saturday Night Live veterans Amy Poehler and Kenan Thompson reconnected for the latest episode of Poehler’s podcast, Good Hang, released Tuesday. The conversation offered a rare glimpse into their shared comedy journey, spanning Thompson’s record-breaking tenure on the sketch show and the personal moments that defined their careers.

    Kenan Thompson’s Historic SNL Run

    Thompson holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured cast member in SNL history, with over 22 seasons and counting. During the podcast, the pair traced his path to Studio 8H, starting with his pre-SNL work in the Mighty Ducks franchise and his audition for the show at age 23.

    From Audition to Signature Sketches

    The discussion highlighted Thompson’s evolution from new cast member to institutional pillar. A key milestone was getting his own writing on the air with the recurring “Scared Straight” sketch, a showcase of his character work and comedic timing that became a staple of his early years on the show.

    Late-Night Traditions and Shared Fandom

    Beyond the professional milestones, Poehler and Thompson reminisced about the unique rituals that come with the SNL grind. They recalled ice skating on the Rink at Rockefeller Center at 1 a.m. after filming Christmas specials — a quiet, surreal tradition in the middle of the show’s most chaotic season.

    The pair also bonded over a shared admiration for American figure skater Alysa Liu, “fanning out” over her performances in a moment that underscored how pop culture fandom persists even among comedy legends.

    Special Guest Question from Maya Rudolph

    Continuing a recurring segment on Good Hang, the episode featured a special guest question from fellow SNL star Maya Rudolph, adding another layer of alumni connection to the conversation.

    The episode is available now on all major podcast platforms.

  • Simon Cowell’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ Replacement Announced as He Recovers From Back Surgery

    Simon Cowell’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ Replacement Announced as He Recovers From Back Surgery

    The former American Idol judge suffered a broken back in 2020 after falling off his electric bike.

    Source: pagesix.com