Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
At long last, our national nightmare of a late-night TV drought is over.
Baffled boomers and bored insomniacs everywhere can now exhale.
There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about it.
Which of the newer cast members will break out?
Fortunately, the cast and crew rose above the pressure of unfamiliarity to delivera solid seasonand get comfortable together.
Of the new crew, Michael Longfellow and Marcello Hernandez had the mostscreen timelast year.
They both shined inWeekend Updatedeskspotsbut never quite established themselves beyond that in a meaningful way.
And what about the rookie?
Joining the other newbies as the sole rookie cast member of season 49 is Chloe Troast.
Which veteran cast members will blow up even bigger?
He may be one showy role away from fully getting out from under Trumps shadow.
What news stories will (and wont) get covered?
Some of the moments this summer that would have been surefireSNLgold are now gone forever.
Beyond the GOP primary, the most lasting political topic of the summer was the gerontocracy.
Who might host this season?
Colman Domingo, who is already tipped for an Oscar nod with Novembers biopicRustin.
Zendaya, who will be inDune 2next March and generally has pop culture in a chokehold.
Mick JaggerorDolly Parton, who both have albums out soon.
Jason Momoa, ifthe general stinkof the impendingAquaman 2doesnt affect his prospects.
(Or better yet, Bassett herself could host for the first time.)
Cameron Diaz, who is apparently inthe midstofun-retiring.
They work hard at staying unpredictable, so predicting their moves months ahead is a fools errand.
As a self-identifying foolish person, however, I offer these final predictions for the season ahead.
Which musical guest will make a digital short that goes viral on TikTok?Nikki Minaj or Bob Dylan.
Which body part willSarah Shermanmake an unforgettable sketch about?Small intestine.
Which brand will be dragged to hell in a fake commercial?Netflix.
What national figure will wind up in a sudden scandal, and who will then play them?Mr.
Beast, played by Andrew Dismukes.
Which inanimate object will Bowen Yang play?The United States Constitution or Beyonces chrome breastplate.
