The host of Season 51's premiere has a history with the show that dates back to 2020 — and his sketch work even landed him a part in Happy Gilmore 2.

Gardner joined the show as a featured player in 2017 and became a main cast member in 2019, making her the longest-running woman in the current cast. Wakim joined the show last year as a featured player and called his exit a “gut punch.”

One alum has won an Oscar. Another has a Grammy. Several have acquired Emmys and Tonys — and they all have been featured players in only a single season of Lorne Michaels' long-running sketch comedy series.

Ego Nwodim has elaborated on her decision to leave "SNL" after seven seasons, saying that the sketch show was "always meant to be a stepping stone."

A 2023 Just For Laughs New Face, Brennan is painted as a straight stand-up who at times brings a musical element into his performance — something you may well see him do on SNL, as he did in his audition. One source jokes that he “looks like every white dude,” making him a natural fit for “everyman” sketches à la Alex Moffat or Andrew Dismukes.

Addressing the recent casting shakeup at 'SNL,' Michaels revealed his true thoughts on the high-profile exits from the show.

Saturday Night Live” returns for Season 51 on Oct. 4, 2025, after cast shakeups that saw the departure of Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim.

There’s no new episode of “Saturday Night Live” on tonight, Saturday, Sept. 13. Season 51 of “SNL” premieres on Saturday, Oct. 4. The host and musical guest for the premiere have not been announced yet, although some fans have speculated that Taylor Swift might appear on the season premiere.