Actor and Comic Force Owen Wilson kicks off the 47th season of SNL (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty … [+]
NBC’s longest-running entertainment series, Saturday Night Live, has announced its first four hosts of the season: Owen Wilson, Kim Kardashian West, Rami Malek and Jason Sudekis.
In their own way, each guest makes sense – –
— Wilson, a returning host who’s an A-list comedy engine, has recently made a notable star turn in the Marvel Series, Loki and has two movies coming out in early 2022
— Kardashian West checks the box for SNL when it comes to the show’s long history of inviting infamous and often controversial, non-actor “celebrity hosts” – – as wide-ranging as last season’s episode featuring Elon Musk, or 2016’s historically notorious episode starring none other than then presidential candidate, Donald Trump
— Rami Malek, another returning host to the broadcast, will have Daniel Craig’s final Bond movie to promote, the long-awaited No Time To Die
— Sudekis, a multiple Emmy winner for Apple TV’s Ted Lasso, will return in the 4th week
With each host, a musical guest is also announced.
— Country music icon, Kasey Musgraves, appears in the Wilson premiere episode
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— Former host and pop music superstar Halsey, joins Kardashian West
— Young Thug will make his first appearance, when Malek hosts
— Brandi Carlisle sings the night Sudekis returns to SNL
SNL’s creator and Executive Producer, Lorne Michaels, continues his historic reign as the show’s overlord, impresario and variety show visionary – – having won more Emmys than any other producer in history, and along the way, provided broadcast TV with its top entertainment program among all networks, not just NBC (including earning number one status with those audiences in the coveted 18-49 category.)
It’s hard to argue, criticize or question Michaels’ success, but allow one minor observation:
SNL has always had an inconsistent history with diversity, equality and inclusion.
While the show has transformed itself demonstrably since featuring nearly an all white cast and producing teams from the early 2000’s, blind spots still exist – – such as the announcement of four white hosts, with four musical guests, only one of which, Young Thug, is African-American.
SNL remains appointment TV for many generations and millions of viewers, this contributor included.
Even a show as majestic, successful, award-winning, relevant and simply fantastic as SNL is, like anything and everyone, it’s not infallible.
Note to Lorne: don’t rest on your laurels. Keep making important strides. And next time, ask your staff whether your host picks are diverse enough.
With past as prologue, cast members such as Michael Che and Kenan Thompson have never had a problem speaking up and speaking out.
Long live SNL, long live a show that tries harder than most and long live a flexible and dynamic old guy like Lorne Michaels.
He’ll listen. Just watch.
