The thirty-eighth season of Saturday Night Live, an American sketch comedy series, originally aired in the United States on NBC between September 15, 2012, and May 18, 2013.
Also airing this season were two election-themed episodes of Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday, which aired on September 20, 2012, and September 27, 2012.[1] Two months before the season premiere, original writer and occasional featured player Tom Davis died after a two-year battle with throat and neck cancer.[2]
Cast
Prior to the start of the season, longtime cast members Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg, both of whom had been on the show for seven seasons since 2005, decided not to return following the end of the previous season.[3][4] Following Samberg and Wiig's departures, Abby Elliott was let go after four seasons on the show since 2008.[5]Vanessa Bayer, Taran Killam, and Jay Pharoah were all upgraded to repertory status, while Kate McKinnon remained a featured player.
To fill the void, the show hired three new cast members – Chicago improvisers Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson, and Cecily Strong – as the replacements for Wiig, Samberg, and Elliott. According to the official press release, "Bryant trained at the iO Chicago, Annoyance Theatre and she was also part of the ensemble that performed on the Second City E.T.C Stage. Robinson also trained at the Second City, he performed on their Mainstage and was also part of their National Touring Company. Like Robinson, Strong had also performed as part of the National Touring Company and trained at the iO Theater".[6]
This was the final season for longtime cast members Fred Armisen,[7]Bill Hader,[8] and Jason Sudeikis.[9] Armisen had been on the show for 11 seasons since 2002, Sudeikis had been on for nine since 2005, and Hader had been on for eight since 2005. This would also be the only season for featured player Tim Robinson, who would leave his spot in the cast to instead join the writing staff the following season.[10]
Starting with this season, writing supervisor Colin Jost (who has been writing for the show since 2005) is named as the show's co-head writer, alongside Seth Meyers (Jost had previously been writing supervisor for the past three seasons).[12]
Additionally, prior to the start of the season, Upright Citizens Brigade Theater performers Josh Patten and Neil Casey joined the writing staff (though this would be Casey's only season with the show).[13][14]
Also, starting with this season, Marika Sawyer (who had been writing on SNL since 2006) is named as the show's co-writing supervisor, alongside Bryan Tucker.[12]
This was also the final season for longtime writer Jim Downey (who had been writing for the show on-and-off since 1977), as he retired at the end of the season, after 30 cumulative years with the show.[15]
At the beginning of the show, in lieu of the traditional cold open, the New York City Children's Chorus performs a rendition of "Silent Night" in remembrance of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which had occurred a day earlier. The choir also joins McCartney on "Wonderful Christmastime".
Longtime announcer Don Pardo was unavailable due to a broken hip. Instead, former cast member Darrell Hammond fills in as announcer (Hammond would become the permanent announcer upon Pardo's death in 2014.)
A collection of memorable holiday-themed sketches from past and present eras. Sketches include:"Santa's My Boyfriend",Jimmy Fallon's Christmas song monologue,"Turner Classic Movies presents:This,You Call a Wonderful Life","The Mark Jensen Family Christmas Special",Garrett Morris' performance of "Winter Wonderland," "Glengarry Glen Santa's Workshop," "Steve Martin's Holiday Wish," Weekend Update:Adam Sandler's ""The Chanukah Song" from the season 20 episode hosted by Roseanne Barr,"Homelessville Mascot vs. Salvation Army Santa," Robert De Niro's monologue from season 30 (featuring an appearance by Kermit the Frog),"TV Funhouse:Christmastime for the Jews," Weekend Update:Stefon's Christmas Clubs from the season 37 episode hosted by Katy Perry,John Malkovich's monologue from season 34,the "Dick in a Box" Digital Short from the season 32 episode hosted by Justin Timberlake,"Consumer Probe," "Michael Buble's Holiday Duets," "The Vogelchecks' Christmas," "Martha Stewart's Topless Holiday Special," "Robert Goulet's Christmas Special," Weekend Update:Drunk Uncle Rambles About the Holidays,"What Up with That?" from the season 35 episode hosted by James Franco,"NPR:Schweddy Balls","Mary Katherine Gallagher in the School Choir," and "Seasons Greetings From Saturday Night Live" from the season 26 episode hosted by Lucy Liu.
↑ Miller, Dennis; Downey, Jim (May 30, 2013). "The Dennis Miller Show" (Interview). Interviewed by Dennis Miller. Archived from the original on August 26, 2013.
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