SNL OG Molly Shannon Gets Real About Big Names Popping In As The Show Turns 50: ‘It’s Such A Thrill For Lorne’

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SNL OG Molly Shannon Gets Real About Big Names Popping In As The Show Turns 50: 'It's Such A Thrill For Lorne'

As a die-hard SNL fan since its inception, I can hardly contain my excitement as we approach the monumental 50th season! The show has been a cultural juggernaut for half a century now, and it’s hard to imagine a world without it. One of the many reasons for this enduring success is none other than Molly Shannon, who graced our screens during the golden years of SNL in the ’90s.

Saturday Night Live, a renowned sketch comedy series, is gearing up for its 50th season in the upcoming 2024 TV lineup. This is an impressive feat few TV shows achieve. As we anticipate this momentous occasion, it’s worth reminiscing about the illustrious careers that have contributed to SNL’s success over the past five decades. One such name that stands out is Molly Shannon. With her role in the upcoming series “Only Murders in the Building,” Shannon has been reflecting on this milestone, and her comments hint at a possible return to Saturday Night Live.

Quite remarkably, the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live aligns with the 25th anniversary of Superstar, the movie spun off from the SNL character Mary Katherine Gallagher, portrayed by Molly Shannon. In an interview with ET, the actress reflected on Season 50 of Saturday Night Live in these words:

I’m absolutely thrilled! This is a fantastic opportunity for Lorne Michaels, an honor indeed. It’s going to be a terrific event to acknowledge Lorne Michaels and his incredible achievements. The chance to reunite with my SNL co-stars, some of whom I haven’t seen in ages, promises to make it even more special. I have high expectations for this event, and I can hardly contain my anticipation. Lorne has been meticulously preparing for this, and the excitement is building among everyone involved.

Lorne Michaels, the mastermind behind Saturday Night Live (SNL), has had an incredibly long and impressive tenure, and at one point hinted he might retire following SNL’s 50th season. It’s uncertain if that will happen; however, with the upcoming season, there’s plenty for fans of the sketch comedy show to be excited about. Molly Shannon didn’t definitively say whether she would participate in the 50th season herself, but her words make me hopeful.

Shannon, a former SNL cast member from 1995-2001, has made several comebacks on the show post her full-time exit. Notably, she hosted the show twice – first in May 2007 and again in April 2023. During her tenure, Shannon worked tirelessly to bring her character Jeannie Darcy onto the screen and even managed to secure Whitney Houston’s appearance. Add to that her role in Superstar, it seems almost inevitable that she’d be a part of Season 50. Interestingly, Shannon seems to have some inside knowledge, as she also hinted:

They’ve been working on it for at least a year or more. It’s been a lot of planning.

It’s uncertain whether the initial plans for celebrating the milestone involved Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney, who announced their departures from the show this month and last respectively. However, it has been confirmed that Maya Rudolph will be returning as a guest star in Season 50 to portray her impression of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Regarding Molly Shannon, you have the opportunity to rewatch her seasons on SNL by subscribing to Peacock Premium. If you’re interested in more recent work beyond her tenure from 1995-2001, don’t miss out on one of my favorites featuring her in the Please Don’t Destroy sketch.

Regardless of Molly Shannon’s presence, the 50th season of Saturday Night Live is set to debut on Saturday, September 28 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. If you’d like, you can also stream the show Superstar with a Paramount+ subscription.

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2024-08-27 15:07