‘SNL’ Vet Chris Rock Will Host The Show’s Season 46 Premiere

Saturday Night Live is welcoming back an old favorite to kick off the first show of Season 46. Former SNL cast member and standup comedian Chris Rock will act as host for the Oct. 3 show, SNL announced today on Twitter. Joining him on stage for the night will be “WAP” rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who will serve as the episode’s musical guest.

Rock, of course, is no stranger to Studio 8H. The comedian first appeared on SNL in 1990, when he joined the cast along with Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider and David Spade. Although Rock left the series in 1993, he later returned to host the show twice, once in 1996 and again in 2014. His Oct. 3 appearance will mark his third time hosting — just a couple more, and he’ll officially be granted admission into SNL‘s “Five-Timers Club.”

Megan Thee Stallion’s SNL gig marks her first time on the show. The rapper shot to fame last year with the release of “Hot Girl Summer,” and she recently collaborated with Cardi B for her most recent single, “WAP.” It’s been a busy year for Megan, who had another big collaboration with Beyonce and also starred as a judge on HBO’s Legendary ballroom competition.

SNL recently confirmed that the entire cast will be returning for the upcoming season, along with three newcomers: Lauren Holt, Punkie Johnson, and Andrew Dismukes. And it being an election year, the show can’t go on without some proper political impressions. Jim Carrey was announced as SNL‘s Joe Biden earlier this month, taking over the job from Jason Sudeikis, who portrayed the Democratic presidential candidate in Season 45. Maya Rudolph will reprise her role as Biden’s VP pick, Kamala Harris, and as you’ve probably guessed, Alec Baldwin will once again play President Donald Trump.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, SNL is heading back into the studio to film its new episodes, which will be broadcast live on NBC with a limited studio audience, Deadline reports. Last season, the show was forced to shut down production and take a brief hiatus before coming back with episodes filmed from cast members’ homes and produced virtually. Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt and Kristen Wiig stepped in as hosts for the final three episodes of Season 45, which wrapped up in May.

Watch the Saturday Night Live Season 46 premiere Oct. 3 at 11:30/10:30c on NBC.

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