Watch clips of the new SNL cast members

Most couch potatos subscribe to the opinion that SNL has never been as good as it was in its 1970s heyday, although the indespensable Kristen Wiig brought the show close.

Now, with Wiig, Abby Elliott and Andy Samburg departing, Canuck producer Lorne Michaels has added three new players to the cast. The newbies are set to debut on the season premiere, airing this Saturday, Sept 15.

The three new hires include Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson and Cecily Strong. This trio of repertory players will be in good company, joining the show’s first openly lesbian cast member, Kate McKinnon, who started on SNL late last season. McKinnon is the show’s third gay cast member, after Terry Sweeny and Danitra Vance, who were both with the show during its 1985/86 season. However, Vance was not open about her sexuality.

Each of this new crop has made his or her mark in the Chicago improv scene, but will they fizzle on screen?

Watch clips of each new addition below.

Cecily Strong lampoons Quebec tour guides.

Aidy Bryant as Gretl.

Tim Robinson as an insecure man living in his parents’ basement.

Algonquin College journalism grad. Podcaster @qqcpod.

Keep Reading

An image of the cover of 'No God but Us' against a zoomed portion of the cover featuring a lit candle and butterflies with eyes on their wings against a black background

‘No God but Us’ delves into the parallel universes created by war and displacement

Bobuq Sayed’s debut novel considers borders and ethics through the eyes of two queer Afghan lovers
Bentley Robles

Bentley Robles wants a brotherhood of gay pop stars

The yellow-haired singer talks rising stardom, Zara Larsson and dating while gay-famous
Vivek Shraya being kissed by a man

Vivek Shraya is hot, blond and hitting the dance floor

The Toronto multi-hyphenate’s new album, “VIVICA,” shirks respectability politics for a sensual, high-gloss exploration of queer and trans desire
Morphine Love Dion, Dawn and Morgan McMichaels

‘RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 11’ plays it safe for the first bracket—until the very last minute

Already, we see the consequences of only two queens moving forward from each bracket to the semifinals
Advertisement