It's the 40th season premiere of SNL in two weeks, with Chris Pratt serving as host, along with Ariana Grande as the musical guest. The following week, Sarah Silverman returns to host for the first time since her brief 1993-1994 tenure as cast member. Maroon 5 logs their 5th appearance as musical guest.

As for the cast, three unknown featured players (Noel Wells, John Milhiser and Brooks Wheelan) are out, along with Mulaney cast member Nasim Pedrad. Confirmed returnees are Vanessa Bayer, Aidy Bryant, Colin Jost, Bobby Moynihan and Cecily Strong.

Also, Michael Che joins Weekend Update alongside Colin Jost, which proves just how insightful Lorne Michaels is even as he closes in on 70. To replace the talented half of their Update duo is obviously too smart for anyone to figure out. Unless Cecily Strong decided she would prefer to be a sketch actress, though I never understood why one couldn't do both.

Anyway, I'm kind of excited, since it is the 40th season. I hope some surprises are in store (I heard rumors that Bill Murray will host).

Who's Chris Pratt?

Everyone else is back except Mike O'Brien, who returns to the writers' room.

I admire Kenan Thompson to know that his career will fall apart once he leaves SNL.

I think Kenan could get a TV show eventually. I would watch. He's terrific.

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEF Jelly! Love Kenan

For as many careers that have taken off due to SNL, there are many talented stars that have dropped off the radar completely.

Although I was wrong about Jimmy Fallon. I never thought he would do anything after SNL.

Darrell Hammond will be the new announcer.

Ha, will he do his Pardo impersonation?

Also, Bill Hader will host the third episode of the season. No complaints here, except that maybe it only seems like he JUST left.

An episode from each season of the show will be airing Saturday nights @ 10 starting September 27 on NBC. The first episode will be Richard Pryor's 1975 episode.

I've always wondered why they don't show more older episodes. People would tune in.

That dumb and dumber film is gonna bomb big time.

As for the new season, I was in and out of it so far with 30 min left. I did like the opening sketch. I saw one with Pratt playing HeMan and that was Stupid! They took out the female on weekend update. I thought that started slow but got better as it went on. The black lady in the single person sketch was pretty funny. Ariane grande can sing but I remember the day when musicians sang without the ridiculous ear pieces. Bring those days back. The bar sketch was pretty funny.

This whole episode was sort of awkward and stagnant. I feel like there's some kinks that need to be worked out with the new cast members.

I adore Chris Pratt but he *did* seem surprisingly nervous. And Ariana Grande's enunciation is horrible, as strong of a voice as she has.

I was really happy to see the return of Cecily's Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With At a Party, though.

I finished Update and couldn't help but feel Cecily should have stayed on and Jost should've been canned, though. I feel like Cecily and Michael Che would have been cool.

I would assume Colin Jost was selected and groomed by Seth Meyers for the job, which is why he stayed and Cecily was canned.

I think Colin and Michael will work out just fine in the long run though I'll miss Cecily in the spot.

I thought last night's episode was pretty good. The He-Man sketch along with the Bad Boys one were by far the best of the night. Don't know why everyone is praising the Marvel sketch on review sites, felt that was one of the worst for the night.

Other than hearing Marroon 5, this show has been boring as hell.

The Fault In Our Stars 2: The Ebola In Our Everything

Jan Hooks has died at 57.

An underrated cast member from a boom period for SNL.

RIP

I remember her best from 3rd Rock from the Sun.

Ok, that Taylor Swift vertigo skit was really funny. "I never got into Taylor Swift because in interviews she's always like, "I'm Taylor Swift." And it's like, "No."

The December hosts have been lined up.

12/6: James Franco/Nicki Minaj
12/13: Martin Freeman/Charli XCX
12/20: Amy Adams/One Direction

Amy.

Martin Freeman?! Can't wait for that.

I'm kind of surprised Taylor Swift hasn't been on the show since 2009 in any capacity. I'm sure the few jabs they've taken at her didn't help. One of her minor flaws is an inability to laugh at herself if others mock her.

December lineup:

December 6: James Franco/Nicki Minaj
December 13: Martin Freeman/Charlie XCX
December 20: Amy Adams/One Direction

Awesome publicity for The Hobbit.