Saturday Night Live season 38

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Saturday Night Live
Season 38
Saturday Night Live (Season 38 Titlecard).jpg
No. of episodes21
Release
Original network NBC
Original releaseSeptember 15, 2012 (2012-09-15) 
May 18, 2013 (2013-05-18)
Season chronology
 Previous
season 37
Next 
season 39
List of episodes

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]

Jay Pharoah debuted his Barack Obama impersonation this season, taking over the role from Armisen. [11]

Cast roster

bold denotes Weekend Update anchor


Writers

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]

Episodes

No.
overall
No. in
season
HostMusical guest(s)Original release dateRatings/
Share
7251 Seth MacFarlane Frank Ocean September 15, 2012 (2012-09-15)4.8/12 [16]

7262 Joseph Gordon-Levitt Mumford & Sons September 22, 2012 (2012-09-22)5.0/12 [18]

7273 Daniel Craig Muse October 6, 2012 (2012-10-06)4.5/11 [19]

7284 Christina Applegate Passion Pit October 13, 2012 (2012-10-13)4.6/11 [20]

7295 Bruno Mars Bruno MarsOctober 20, 2012 (2012-10-20)5.4/14 [21]

  • Bruno Mars performs "Locked Out of Heaven" and "Young Girls".
  • Tom Hanks appears in the cold open, introduces Mars' first musical performance and appears in the "Merryville Brothers" sketch.
  • Bill Hader introduces Mars' second musical performance as Stefon.
7306 Louis C.K. fun. November 3, 2012 (2012-11-03)5.0/12 [22]

7317 Anne Hathaway Rihanna November 10, 2012 (2012-11-10)5.0/12 [23]

7328 Jeremy Renner Maroon 5 November 17, 2012 (2012-11-17)5.1/12 [24]

7339 Jamie Foxx Ne-Yo December 8, 2012 (2012-12-08)4.6/11 [25]

73410 Martin Short Paul McCartney December 15, 2012 (2012-12-15)5.1/12 [26]

73511 Jennifer Lawrence The Lumineers January 19, 2013 (2013-01-19)4.9/12 [27]

73612 Adam Levine Kendrick Lamar January 26, 2013 (2013-01-26)5.0/12 [28]

73713 Justin Bieber Justin BieberFebruary 9, 2013 (2013-02-09)4.9/12 [29]

  • Justin Bieber performs the acoustic version of "As Long as You Love Me" with guitarist Dan Kanter and "Nothing Like Us".
  • Whoopi Goldberg appears in the opening monologue and introduces Bieber's first performance.
  • Jason Sudekis introduces Bieber's second musical performance.
73814 Christoph Waltz Alabama Shakes February 16, 2013 (2013-02-16)4.6/12 [30]

  • Alabama Shakes performs "Hold On" and "Always Alright".
73915 Kevin Hart Macklemore and Ryan Lewis March 2, 2013 (2013-03-02)4.8/12 [31]

74016 Justin Timberlake Justin TimberlakeMarch 9, 2013 (2013-03-09)5.9/15 [32]

74117 Melissa McCarthy Phoenix April 6, 2013 (2013-04-06)4.8/12 [34]

74218 Vince Vaughn Miguel April 13, 2013 (2013-04-13)4.6/12 [35]

  • Miguel performs "Adorn" and "How Many Drinks?"
  • Steve Jones appears in the pre-recorded "History of Punk" sketch.
74319 Zach Galifianakis Of Monsters and Men May 4, 2013 (2013-05-04)4.4/11 [36]

74420 Kristen Wiig Vampire Weekend May 11, 2013 (2013-05-11)4.6/12 [37]

  • Vampire Weekend performs "Diane Young" and "Unbelievers".
  • Jonah Hill and Maya Rudolph appear in the opening monologue.
  • Rudolph also appears in "The Californians".
  • Kristen Wiig reprised her roles as Gilly in a pretaped portion of the monologue, Kareena (of The Californians), Kat (of Garth and Kat) on Weekend Update , the Target Lady, and Dooneese, one of the Finger Lakes singers.
  • Aidy Bryant introduces Vampire Weekend's second performance with Wiig.
74521 Ben Affleck Kanye West May 18, 2013 (2013-05-18)4.7/12 [38]

Specials

O'Connell, Michael (July 24, 2012). "TCA 2012: NBC Resurrecting 'Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
  • Martin, Douglas (July 19, 2012). "Tom Davis, Comedian and 'SNL' Sketch Writer, Dies at 59". The New York Times. Retrieved July 20, 2012.
  • Buchanan, Kyle (June 1, 2012). "Andy Samberg is Now Officially Leaving Saturday Night Live". Vulture . Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  • "Kristen Wiig gets a rousing sendoff from 'SNL' on its season finale after 7 years in the cast". CityNews 660. Associated Press. May 20, 2012. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  • "Exclusive: Abby Elliott on Her New Movie, A Role on 'How I Met Your Mother,' and Leaving 'SNL'". Elle . October 12, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  • 1 2 ""Saturday Night Live" Adds Three to Cast" (Press release). NBC Entertainment. September 10, 2012. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  • "Talking to Fred Armisen About 'SNL', 'Portlandia', And Being Part of A Comedy Collective". Vulture. June 28, 2013. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  • Itzkoff, Dave (May 14, 2013). "Bill Hader to Leave 'Saturday Night Live'". The New York Times . Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  • Levin, Gary (July 24, 2013). "Jason Sudeikis confirms 'SNL' exit". USA Today . Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  • Voss, Erik (July 17, 2014). "'SNL' Firing New Cast Members Displays a Show Still Deeply In Transition". Vulture. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  • Carter, Bill (September 12, 2012). "Saturday Night Live Parodies Presidential Campaign". The New York Times . Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  • 1 2 "Seth MacFarlane/Frank Ocean". Saturday Night Live. Season 38. Episode 1. September 15, 2012. Event occurs at Closing credits. NBC.
  • Frucci, Adam (August 21, 2012). "UCB's Josh Patten Hired as a Writer at 'SNL'". Vulture. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  • Frucci, Adam (September 6, 2012). "UCB's Neil Casey Hired as a Writer at 'SNL'". Vulture. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  • Miller, Dennis; Downey, Jim (May 30, 2013). "The Dennis Miller Show" (Interview). Interviewed by Dennis Miller. Archived from the original on August 26, 2013.
  • Kondolojy, Amanda (September 17, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' Season Premiere With Seth MacFarlane Delivers Above Average Ratings". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012.
  • Warner, Denise (September 12, 2012). "Lorne Michaels: Jay Pharoah to take over Obama job on 'SNL'". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved January 10, 2022 via Yahoo! Entertainment.
  • Bibel, Sara (September 24, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' With Joseph Gordon-Levitt Delivers Above Average Ratings". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012.
  • Bibel, Sara (October 7, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' with Daniel Craig Delivers Above Average Ratings". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012.
  • Bibel, Sara (October 14, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' With Christina Applegate Delivers Average Ratings". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on January 18, 2014.
  • Bibel, Sara (October 21, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' With Bruno Mars Delivers Above Average Ratings". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012.
  • Bibel, Sara (November 4, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' With Louis CK and Musical Guest fun Delivers Above Average Ratings". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012.
  • Kondolojy, Amanda (November 11, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' With Anne Hathaway and Musical Guest Rihanna Falls From Previous Week". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on November 15, 2012.
  • Bibel, Sara (November 18, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' With Jeremy Renner and Musical Guest Maroon 5 Up From Last Week". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012.
  • Bibel, Sara (December 10, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' With Jamie Foxx and Ne-Yo Delivers Average Ratings". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on December 13, 2012.
  • Bibel, Sara (December 16, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' With Martin Short and Paul McCartney Delivers Above Average Ratings". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on December 18, 2012.
  • Kondolojy, Amanda (January 20, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' Matches Its Highest Local People Meter Score Since November 3". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013.
  • Bibel, Sara (January 27, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' With Adam Levine and Kendrick Lamar Delivers Above Average Ratings". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013.
  • Bibel, Sara (February 10, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' With Justin Bieber Delivers Average Ratings". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on February 13, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  • Kondolojy, Amanda (February 17, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' With Christoph Waltz and Alabama Shakes Down From Last Week". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on February 20, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
  • Kondolojy, Amanda (March 3, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' With Kevin Hart and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Up From Last New Episode". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 6, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  • Bibel, Sara (March 10, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' With Justin Timberlake is Top Episode Among Adults 18-49 Since January, 2012". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  • @thelonelyisland (March 10, 2013). "The Dudes made a sketch for SNL" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  • Bibel, Sara (April 7, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' With Melisssa McCarthy and Phoenix Delivers Average Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 9, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  • Kondolojy, Amanda (April 14, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' With Vince Vaughn and Miguel Delivers SNL's Second Highest Rating in Five Months". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 17, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2013.
  • Kondolojy, Amanda (May 5, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' With Zach Galifianakis and Of Monsters and Men Down From Last Original". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
  • Kondolojy, Amanda (May 12, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' With Kristen Wiig and Vampire Weekend Up From Last Week". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  • Kondolojy, Amanda (May 19, 2013). "'Saturday Night Live' With Ben Affleck and Kanye West Even With Last Week". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  • Bibel, Sara (November 29, 2012). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Arrow' and 'The X Factor' Adjusted Up; 'Supernatural' and 'Suburgatory' Adjusted Down". Zap2it . Archived from the original on December 2, 2012. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  • TitleOriginal release dateUS viewers
    (millions)