Big news out of the Saturday Night Live camp, as former cast member Amy Poehler has been announced as the show’s host when it returns for its 36th season on Sept. 25. NBC revealed that the Parks and Recreation actress will be joined by musical guest Katy Perry.
Along with this news comes casting changes for the late-night sketch comedy. The Peacock unveiled four new feature players that have been added to the cast: Vanessa Bayer, Paul Brittain, Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah.
Both Bayer and Brittain were menbers of the Windy City's iO where they performed in improv and sketch groups; Killam is based out of Los Angeles, where he was a main company member of The Groundlings; and Pharoah is from Virginia, where he made a name for himself in community theatre and local clubs. Pharoah is the first African-American troupe member since 2003 when Kenan Thompson signed on, fuelling rumours he’ll replace Fred Amisten as President Obama.
Jenny Slate, who joined the cast last season, will not return, according to Entertainment Weekly. Slate made headlines in SNL’s return show last season when she uttered the f-word live. Sadly, that’s all she really did of note.
Saturday Night Live returns Saturday, Sept. 25 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
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VIDEO: Check out Pharoah’s Obama impression
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