Fans can expect Saturday Night Live to go “extra” live this fall as folks at the variety sketch comedy get busier than usual to bring forth an extended season 34 with four live shows in a row.

As reported earlier this week, Saturday Night Live will make an early return on September 13 to take advantage of the hotly contested Presidential race, extending its traditional 20-episode season to 22.  After the acclaimed comedy show kicks off its new season, it will offer up new episodes for four consecutive weeks, which is a rarity for the show.


Additionally, NBC will be airing three live primetime specials, Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday, which will air on October 9, 16 and 23 at 9:30 pm ET/PT.  These primetime outings will be anchored by the show's signature "Weekend Update," and marks the return of the show to the NBC Thursday night lineup, which produced similar live Update-centered broadcasts in 2001.

Last but not the least, Saturday Night Live will present "Saturday Night Live Presidential Bash 2008" on the eve of Election Day, Monday, November 3 at 9:30pm.  The special will take viewers back to some of Saturday Night Live's recent political satire including Fred Armisen's Barack Obama and Amy Poehler's Hillary Clinton as well as a selection of Presidential satire from Chevy Chase's Gerald Ford to Will Ferrell's George W. Bush.  Of course, fans can also expect the special to feature all-new material and possibly the appearance of some actual political candidates just like in 2000 when the Presidential Bash boasted a sketch featuring candidates Gore and Bush.

As of this moment, there is no word yet on the hosts and musical guests for the upcoming season of Saturday Night Live so stay tuned as these will be announced at a later date.


-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: NBC
(Image courtesy of NBC)