SNLAddresses Hoda Kotb's Departure from theTodayShow with a Matt Lauer Joke During 50th Season Premiere

Mar. 15, 2025

Colin Jost (L) and Hoda Kotb (R).Photo:Saturday Night Life/ YouTube; Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

Saturday Night Life/ YouTube; Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

Saturday Night Livekicked off season 50 with a bang!

“Hoda Kotb announced that she will be leaving theTodayshow,” Jost, 42, began.

“Hoda says she will remember her time on the show fondly, and not at all,” he then joked, as a photo of Kotb smiling while holding a glass of wine appeared on the screen behind him.

As well as a slew of skits featuring Smart, the season premiere ofSNLalso featured a cameo from herHackscostarHannah Einbender, who, alongside Smart,introduced musical guest Jelly Roll for his first performanceof the night: the song “Liar” from his forthcoming album,Beautifully Broken.

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SNLannounced the cast for its landmark season earlier this month.

Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline have been added to the sketch comedy show’s roster, whilePunkie Johnson, Chloe Troast and Molly Kearney have all stepped away. Returning cast membersMarcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow andDevon Walker, meanwhile, were promoted to the main cast after two years each as featured players.

Che and Jost, along with Johnson, Yang, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes,Chloe Fineman,Heidi Gardner,Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman andKenan Thompsonround out the remainder of the cast.Other hosts and musical guests announced so far forSNL’s season 50 includeNate BargatzewithColdplay,Ariana GrandewithStevie Nicks,Michael KeatonwithBillie EilishandJohn MulaneywithChappell Roan.Saturday Night Liveairs weekends at 11:30 p.m. EST on NBC.

source: people.com