Overview
- SNL promoted Keri Powers to sole head of its talent department and raised Rebecca Schwartz to producer as the show launched Season 52 on Saturday, Sept. 26.
- The season premiere featured New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson as host and KATSEYE as musical guest, with the broadcast starting later than usual because NBC’s live coverage of the USC–Oregon college football game ran long.
- Brian Siedlecki, who booked musical acts for nearly 30 years, did not have his contract renewed by NBC, a departure first reported this summer and noted by multiple outlets in advance of the premiere.
- The new season also reflects routine cast turnover: Chloe Fineman left after seven seasons, Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter joined as featured players, and Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline were promoted to repertory status.
- Putting Powers in charge centralizes who selects hosts, musical acts and guest stars, a change that could alter the show’s booking choices and how performers are sourced while viewers contend with occasional scheduling delays from live sports coverage.