‘SNL’ Cancelled: Pete Davidson Won’t Host After Writers Strike Forces Show Off The Air
Pete Davidson’s planned return to ‘SNL’ has been squashed by the writers strike, which shut down season 48 with three episodes still to go.
Live from New York, it’s Saturday night! Season 48 of Saturday Night Live premiered October 1, 2022, but because of the ongoing writers strike, the Lorne Michaels-created series had to wrap up early for the season. Pete Davidson was set to return to the show that made him famous to make his hosting debut with musical guest Lil Uzi Vert on May 6. But that isn’t happening anymore, thanks to the writers strike. Kieran Culkin and Jennifer Coolidge were set to host the final two episodes of the season, with musical guests Labrinth and Foo Fighters, respectively, before the writers strike squashed those plans, as well.
To kick off this season, Top Gun: Maverick actor Miles Teller hosted the Oct. 1 episode with Kendrick Lamar as the musical guest. “It’s really exciting. You’re working with the absolute best of the best, so you feel well taken care of, but it is, it’s a lot. It’s a whirlwind,” Miles told NBC4 ahead of his big debut.
This season of SNL was missing a handful of cast members who announced their departures from the show. Cast members Alex Moffat, Melissa Villaseñor, and featured player Aristotle Athari exited after Season 47, along with Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney, and of course, Pete Davidson. Chris Redd also confirmed to PEOPLE that he was saying goodbye to the show in Sept. 2022.
Learn more about what would’ve been the next Season 48 show below.
Pete Davidson Was Supposed To Host
Pete Davidson rose to fame on SNL, joining the cast in 2014 at the age of just 20. He stayed with the show eight seasons till 2022, when he announced he’d be stepping away. He has starred in movies along the way including 2020’s The King Of Staten Island and 2021’s Bodies Bodies Bodies and is the star and creator of the Peacock series Bupkis. The May 4 release of Pete’s new show would’ve coincided with his hosting appearance on SNL.
Outside of his work in film and television, Pete has gained a frenetic amount of public attention for his string of high-profile romances with powerhouse women including Phoebe Dynevor, Kate Beckinsale, Cazzie David, Emily Ratajkowski, Ariana Grande, and of course, The Kardashians star Kim Kardashian, with whom he enjoyed an epic nine-month relationship after her split from Kanye West. Pete is currently dating his Bodies Bodies Bodies co-star Chase Sui Wonders.
Next show!!! pic.twitter.com/AMdCeLXGOk
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) April 16, 2023
The Musical Guest Was Supposed To Be Lil Uzi Vert
Rapper Lil Uzi Vert — né Symere Bysil Woods — was going to make their SNL debut on May 6. The Philadelphia musician likely would’ve performed their latest hit “Just Wanna Rock,” which peaked in February in the top 10 of Billboard‘s Hot 100. The 27-year-old rap sensation first courted fame back in 2016 with breakout hit breakout hit single, “Money Longer,” and released their most recent solo album, Eternal Atake, in 2020. The album hit number 1 on the Billboard 200 when it was released in 2020.
What Time Is ‘SNL’ On?
Saturday Night Live airs at 11:35 p.m. PST/EST and 9:30 p.m. MT on local NBC affiliates. The series can also be streamed live on the Peacock app. Because of the writers strike, NBC will be airing reruns for the rest of the season.
‘SNL’ Cast Members This Season
Saturday Night Live had a number of new cast members joining the show this season, including Marcello Hernandez, Molly Kearney, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker.
Michael Che and Colin Jost remained in their roles as “Weekend Update” hosts, which they took over in 2014 from Seth Meyers and Cecily Strong. Other returning cast members included Cecily Strong, Kenan Thompson, Bowen Yang, and Heidi Gardner. Rounding out the returning list was Sarah Sherman, Ego Nwodim, Chloe Fineman, Mikey Day, and Punkie Johnson.
As mentioned above, Alex Moffat, Melissa Villaseñor, featured player Aristotle Athari, Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney, Pete Davidson, and Chris Redd departed the show ahead of Season 48. Many of these cast members announced their exit in May 2022 with some not revealing the news until September.
Chris announced the news of his exit from SNL on Sept. 20 with a statement to PEOPLE. “Being a part of SNL has been the experience of a lifetime. Five years ago, I walked into 30 Rock knowing that this was an amazing opportunity for growth,” Chris said. “Now, with friends who have become family and memories I will cherish forever, I’m grateful to [creator] Lorne Michaels and to the entire SNL organization. From the bottom of my heart, I can’t thank you all enough.”