Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | TV | September 17, 2026
In past years, this was one of my favorite times of the year because I’d sit at my laptop, wait breathlessly for every SNL casting change, and then write 8-10 articles in two weeks while our commenters complained that we write about SNL too much. But now my day job prevents me from camping in front of my computer all day, so I’m forced to resort to a round-up of SNL casting news:
— Martin Herlihy has left the show after five years. He was part of Please Don’t Destroy, which disbanded (was fired) after season 50, and was subsequently hired as a writer who made the occasional on-air appearance. John Higgins also left the show, and Ben Marshall was promoted to cast member. Now Herlihy is out — ironically, the only remaining member of Please Don’t Destroy is the one who isn’t a nepo baby, and he’s also the most exceptional, if most underused, cast member. For context, Herlihy was the nerdy-looking guy — son of former SNL writer/producer Tim Herlihy, who runs with the Adam Sandler crew and is probably the namesake for the “Herlihy Boy” sketch. Ben Marshall is the tall redhead. John Higgins was the other one.
— Other than Herlihy, the only other departing cast member (so far) was Chloe Fineman. To replace them, Lorne Michaels has hired Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter.
I’m not familiar with Belo-Osagie, a stand-up comedian with a decent social media following. I am vaguely familiar with Grace Reiter from The Chair Company, but she’s clearly being brought in for younger audiences — my daughters were stoked when she joined the cast because they know her from American High and a popular Hunger Games parody video. She’s also the first SNL cast member born after 2000 (she was born in 2001).
— Two featured players were also elevated to full cast. One is expected — last season’s breakout star, Ashley Padilla—and one less so: Jane Wickline, who I like but who I thought was the least likely to return. But Lorne Michaels loves keeping a weirdo around, and I love that for Wickline.
Finally, SNL has announced the hosts and musical guests for the first four episodes:
September 26, 2026: Host Jalen Brunson with musical guest KATSEYE.
October 3, 2026: Host Dakota Johnson with musical guest Turnstile.
October 10, 2026: Host Shane Gillis with musical guest Rosalía.
October 31, 2026: Host Indira Navarrette with musical guest Gracie Abrams.
I have no idea what Lorne Michaels’ obsession with Shane Gillis is. It’d be one thing if he were actually a decent (but problematic) host, but he’s not. He’s bombed every time he’s appeared—not because of a liberal conspiracy, but because he delivers terrible monologues. I am, however, looking forward to KATSEYE (pinky up!).
