Saturday Night Live season 41
Saturday Night Live | |
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Season 41 | |
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No. of episodes | 21 |
Release | |
Original network | NBC |
Original release | October 3, 2015 May 21, 2016 | –
Season chronology | |
The forty-first season of the NBC comedy series Saturday Night Live premiered on October 3, 2015, during the 2015–2016 television season.[1] The season premiered on October 3, 2015, with host & musical guest Miley Cyrus and concluded on May 21, 2016 with host Fred Armisen and musical guest Courtney Barnett.
Kate McKinnon won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work in this season.
Cast
[edit]After two consecutive seasons with higher-than-average levels of cast turnover, no major changes occurred prior to this season. The entire cast of the previous season returned, with Beck Bennett, Colin Jost, Kyle Mooney and Sasheer Zamata being promoted to repertory status, while Michael Che, Pete Davidson and Leslie Jones remained featured players.[2]
Prior to the start of the season, comedian Jon Rudnitsky of the Groundlings joined the show as a featured player.[3][4]
This would be the final season for longtime cast members Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah, who had both been on the show since 2010, and the only season for Rudnitsky.[5]
Cast roster
[edit]
Repertory players |
Featured players
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bold denotes "Weekend Update" anchor
Writers
[edit]Before the beginning of the season, six new writers joined the staff: Upright Citizens Brigade performers Fran Gillespie, Sudi Green, and Will Stephen; former Late Show with David Letterman writers Paul Masella and Chris Belair; and stand-up comedian Dave Sirus.[6]
Colin Jost, a cast member on the show and anchor of Weekend Update, who has also served as a writer since 2005 (and as co-head writer in 2012), stepped down as co-head writer, although he remained on the writing staff. Rob Klein and Bryan Tucker continued as co-head writers.[7]
Episodes
[edit]No. overall | No. in season | Host(s) | Musical guest(s) | Original air date | Ratings/ Share | |
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788 | 1 | Miley Cyrus | Miley Cyrus | October 3, 2015 | 4.5/11[8] | |
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789 | 2 | Amy Schumer | The Weeknd | October 10, 2015 | 3.9/10[9] | |
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790 | 3 | Tracy Morgan | Demi Lovato | October 17, 2015 | 4.2/11[12] | |
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791 | 4 | Donald Trump | Sia | November 7, 2015 | 6.6/16[15] | |
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792 | 5 | Elizabeth Banks | Disclosure | November 14, 2015 | 4.0/10[16] | |
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793 | 6 | Matthew McConaughey | Adele | November 21, 2015 | 4.6/12[17] | |
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794 | 7 | Ryan Gosling | Leon Bridges | December 5, 2015 | 4.1/10[18] | |
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795 | 8 | Chris Hemsworth | Chance the Rapper | December 12, 2015 | 3.8/10[19] | |
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796 | 9 | Tina Fey & Amy Poehler | Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band | December 19, 2015 | 5.1/13[22] | |
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797 | 10 | Adam Driver | Chris Stapleton | January 16, 2016 | 3.0/15 in 18-49 (approximately 5.7 overall)[24][25] | |
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798 | 11 | Ronda Rousey | Selena Gomez | January 23, 2016 | 5.0/12[26] | |
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799 | 12 | Larry David | The 1975 | February 6, 2016 | 5.1/12[27] | |
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800 | 13 | Melissa McCarthy | Kanye West | February 13, 2016 | 4.4/11[28] | |
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801 | 14 | Jonah Hill | Future | March 5, 2016 | 4.0/10[29] | |
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802 | 15 | Ariana Grande | Ariana Grande | March 12, 2016 | 4.0/10[30] | |
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803 | 16 | Peter Dinklage | Gwen Stefani | April 2, 2016 | 4.0/10[31] | |
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804 | 17 | Russell Crowe | Margo Price | April 9, 2016 | 4.0/10[32] | |
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805 | 18 | Julia Louis-Dreyfus | Nick Jonas | April 16, 2016 | 3.9/10[33] | |
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806 | 19 | Brie Larson | Alicia Keys | May 7, 2016 | 4.1/10[34] | |
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807 | 20 | Drake | Drake | May 14, 2016 | 3.9/10[35] | |
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808 | 21 | Fred Armisen | Courtney Barnett | May 21, 2016 | 3.7/10[39] | |
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Specials
[edit]Title | Original air date | US viewers (millions) | |
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"SNL Goodnight Sweet Prince" | April 23, 2016 | 4.5/11[41] | |
A selection of Prince's performances on the show were shown in honor of his death earlier that week.[40] Included were his performances during the season 6 episode hosted by Charlene Tilton, the 15th Anniversary Special, the season 31 episode hosted by Steve Martin, and the season 40 episode hosted by Chris Rock, as well as a performance of "Let's Go Crazy" during the after-party for the 40th Anniversary Special, which has not been aired on television before. It also included replays of the recurring sketch "The Prince Show", where Fred Armisen played Prince and Maya Rudolph played Beyoncé. Included were sketches from the season 30 episodes hosted by Queen Latifah and Robert De Niro, the season 31 episode hosted by Steve Martin, and the season 32 episode hosted by Shia LaBeouf. The performances were introduced by Jimmy Fallon who hosted this special. |
References
[edit]- ^ "Saturday Night Live Season 41 Episode 01". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
- ^ Wright, Megh (August 31, 2015). "The Entire 'SNL' Cast From Last Season Is Returning". Vulture. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ Gajewski, Ryan (August 31, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' Adds New Castmembers for Season 41". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
- ^ "Jon Rudnitsky joins Saturday Night Live as a featured player: See his best sketches, stand-up". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Chuck, Elizabeth (August 9, 2016). "Jay Pharoah, Taran Killam, Jon Rudnitsky to Exit 'Saturday Night Live'". NBC News. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ Wright, Megh (September 21, 2015). "Meet 'Saturday Night Live's Six New Writers". Splitsider. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "Colin Jost Is No Longer a Head Writer at 'SNL'". Vulture. October 20, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ Dixon, Dani (October 4, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' Season Premiere with Miley Cyrus Nearly Even with Last Season's Premiere". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
- ^ Porter, Rick (October 11, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' with Amy Schumer dips slightly, still tops night". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 11, 2015. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- ^ "Tracy Morgan bounces back from accident to host Saturday Night Live". CBC News. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Associated Press. October 18, 2015. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ "Saturday Night Live (TV Series) Tracy Morgan/Demi Lovato (2015) Full Cast & Crew". IMDB. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
- ^ Porter, Rick (October 18, 2015). "Tracy Morgan's 'Saturday Night Live' return gets a ratings bump". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
- ^ Daniel González (October 22, 2015). "Campaign to dump Donald Trump from SNL gains steam". Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ Pallotta, Frank (October 14, 2015). "Donald Trump's 'SNL' stint could put FCC's 'equal-time' rule in play". CNNMoney. Time Warner. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
- ^ Kissell, Rick (November 8, 2015). "Donald Trump Lifts 'Saturday Night Live' Ratings to Near Four-Year High". Variety. Michelle Sobrino. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
- ^ Porter, Rick (November 15, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' ratings fall back into line with season averages". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ Porter, Rick (November 22, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' hits second-highest ratings of the season". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ^ Porter, Rick (December 6, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' ratings dip but in line with season average". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
- ^ Porter, Rick (December 13, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' with Chris Hemsworth dips to season low". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 16, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- ^ Lockett, Dee (November 17, 2015). "Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Are Hosting SNL Together As Your Christmas Present This Year". Vulture. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ "Fey, Poehler share creative arts Emmy gold as 'SNL' hosts". ChicagoTribune.com. September 11, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
- ^ Porter, Rick (December 20, 2015). "'Saturday Night Live' with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler ends 2015 on high note". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
- ^ McGlynn, Katla (January 19, 2016). "Adam Driver Hosted the Delayed First 'SNL' of 2016". Vulture. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ Porter, Rick (January 17, 2016). "'Saturday Night Live' hits 2-year high in adults 18-49 overnights". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 18, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
- ^ "SNL with Host Adam Driver Posts Highest Rating in Adults 18-49 in Two Years". Broadway World. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
- ^ Porter, Rick (January 24, 2016). "'Saturday Night Live' with Ronda Rousey scores above average ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ ""Saturday Night Live" Ties for the #1 Telecast of the Night on the Big 4 Networks in 18-49". The Futon Critic. February 7, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
- ^ ""Saturday Night Live" Was the #1 Non-News Telecast of the Night on the Big 4 Networks". The Futon Critic. February 14, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
- ^ ""Saturday Night Live" Is the #1 Telecast of the Night, Maintaining 100% of the Same Night Last Year". The Futon Critic. March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
- ^ ""Saturday Night Live," With Host and Musical Guest Ariana Grande, Is the #1 Telecast of the Night". The Futon Critic. March 13, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016.
- ^ ""Saturday Night Live" Is the #1 Telecast of the Night on the Big Four". The Futon Critic. April 3, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
- ^ ""SNL" Ranks #1 for the Night in the Metered Markets; "Dateline Mystery" Matches Its High Since January". The Futon Critic. April 10, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
- ^ ""SNL" Ranks #1 for the Night in the Metered Markets". The Futon Critic. April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
- ^ ""SNL" Earns Its Top Metered-Market Household Rating, Excluding the 4/23 Prince Tribute, Since February". The Futon Critic. May 8, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- ^ ""SNL" Ranks #1 for the Night in the Metered Markets; "Dateline Mystery" Wins in Total Viewers". The Futon Critic. May 15, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
- ^ "'SNL': Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders Bond over Drinks in Cold Open". The Hollywood Reporter. May 21, 2016.
- ^ Auseillo, Michael (August 8, 2016). "SNL Vets Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah Not Returning for Season 42". TVLine. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
- ^ "Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah, and Jon Rudnitsky Won't Be in Saturday Night Live's Upcoming 42nd Season". Vulture. August 9, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
- ^ Porter, Rick (May 22, 2016). "TV Ratings Saturday: 'Toy Story' and '20/20' give ABC a win". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 23, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
- ^ Snierson, Dan (April 22, 2016). "Saturday Night Live to air Prince special". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ ""SNL" Tribute to Prince Ranks #1 for the Night in the Metered Markets; Stanley Cup Hockey Wins Primetime in 18-49". The Futon Critic. April 24, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2016.