Memorable Reunion: Kate McKinnon Reconnects with 'SNL' Alums Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph in Hosting Debut
Kate McKinnon, beloved former SNL cast member, made a triumphant return as host during season 49, reconnecting with long-time friends Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph A delightful reunion that left fans filled with nostalgia and excitement
Kate McKinnon came back to Saturday Night Live to host for the first time since her exit as a cast member — and she wasn’t the only one to return to Studio 8H.
McKinnon, who is 39 years old, expressed that the best part of returning is seeing old friends during her opening monologue on December 16th. "Maya [Rudolph and] Kristen [Wiig]! Wow, what are you doing here?" she exclaimed. Rudolph, aged 51, and Wiig, aged 50, were in matching sparkly dresses and jokingly responded that they "were just walking by" the set during the broadcast.
"It's great to see you and it's wonderful to be back. We have so many memories," Wiig said. "You know, I looked myself up on Wikipedia the other day, like I do every day, and it said I was in over 38,000 sketches here."
McKinnon quickly pointed out that Wikipedia "isn't the most reliable" for certain facts, but Wiig insisted that it was correct, citing that her entry noted she has 12 Grammy wins and is dating NFL star Travis Kelce.
Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon and Kristen Wiig on ‘Saturday Night Live.’ NBC
In a future part of the show, McKinnon got Wiig and Rudolph to join in on multiple musical sketches. The trio, along with current cast member Bowen Yang, portrayed the members of ABBA and performed holiday songs that didn't make the cut. In another skit, McKinnon, Wiig, and Rudolph sang about working on a tampon farm alongside actress Paula Pell.
McKinnon became part of the SNL cast in 2012 and received 10 Emmy Award nominations for the show, winning Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016 and 2017. She left the show in May 2022 after the end of season 47. Several other long-time cast members, including Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant, Alex Moffat, Kyle Mooney, Chris Redd, and Melissa Villaseñor, also left the series at the same time, resulting in a creative reset.
Saying farewell, McKinnon portrayed her recurring character alien abductee Colleen Rafferty, as she bid goodbye to the show. "Well, Earth, I love you. Thank you for letting me stay awhile," she said in the cold open before adding, "Live from New York, it's Saturday night!"
In a candid moment, McKinnon revealed her reasons for leaving SNL. "I thought about it for a very long time and it was very, very hard," she explained on Live With Kelly and Ryan in July 2022. "All I ever wanted to do in my whole life was be on Saturday Night Live. And so, I did. I loved it, I had the best decade and then I was just, like, my body was tired, and I felt like it was time."
While the Barbie star wasn’t sure at the time if she’d keep watching SNL, she was eager to return as host on Saturday. It was her first time emceeing the variety show.
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Don't miss out on the musical performances by 21-year-old singer Billie Eilish, including her rendition of “What I Was Made For?” from the Barbie soundtrack, introduced by McKinnon (as Weird Barbie) and director Greta Gerwig on Saturday's episode. Check out the deal now!
Saturday Night Live airs on NBC Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET.
