Adam Driver is returning for his second stint hosting “Saturday Night Live” for the NBC sketch comedy show’s 44th season premiere this Saturday.
In the first promo for the new season, Driver attempted to get very introspective about it, until Kate McKinnon ruined everything. “The first time hosting is a blur, its a battle. You barely remember any of it,” Driver said in a voiceover of slow-motion footage of him walking through the hallway of Studio 8H, where “SNL” is filmed. “But when the stars align and you slay the beast, it wants you back for seconds.”
But Driver noticed something odd. Only one clip was showed from his first hosting stint (and, unfortunately, it wasn’t Matt the Radar Technician). Instead, it was his spoof of “Aladdin” with Cecily Strong.
“I did a lot of different sketches. Is there some kind of clearance issue?” Driver started to ask. “Or do you guys just love ‘Aladdin’?”
The answer: It was Kate McKinnon’s fault. The “SNL” cast member was mad she wasn’t in that sketch. Don’t believe us? Watch the clip above.
Driver will be joined by Kanye West as the musical guest this week, which will also be the debut of “SNL’s” newest cast member, Ego Nwodim. Last week, “SNL” creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels teased Alec Baldwin’s return as President Donald Trump on James Andrew Miller’s “Origins” podcast, stating: “Oh, I think he’ll be back.”
Mikey Day, Melissa Villaseñor and Alex Moffat will be promoted to repertory players this season, a person with knowledge of the casting told TheWrap Monday. Additionally, Chris Redd and Heidi Gardner will return to “SNL” as featured players for Season 44. In August, it was announced that Luke Null, a featured player in Season 43, won’t return to the show.
The rest of the cast includes Beck Bennett, Aidy Bryant, Michael Che, Pete Davidson, Leslie Jones, Colin Jost, Kate McKinnon, Kyle Mooney, Cecily Strong and Kenan Thompson (who may be in his last season, if his NBC pilot gets picked up).