Looks like Bill Hader is returning to Saturday Night Live . Instead of coming back as a cast member, Hader is set to host the show with musical guest Hozier.
According to Deadline , Hader’s episode of Saturday Night Live will air on October 11. Hader is having quite a moment, coming off of solid reviews for his film The Skeleton Twins . This will be Hader’s first time hosting the show since he left in 2013.
That said, this isn’t the first time Hader has returned to the stage since he took his final bow. Bill has returned as one of his most popular characters, scene kid Stefon, in 2014 when Melissa McCarthy hosted. He also joined Seth Meyers’ Late Night as Stefon because of the running gag he has with Meyers on SNL .
As The Inquisitr previously reported, actor Chris Pratt will open up the season with Ariana Grande as musical guest. The second episode will welcome comedian Sarah Silverman as host with Maroon 5 serving as the musical guess. Pratt’s episode will air on September 27, while Silverman’s will air on October 4.
As for Bill Hader’s turn as host, people are already reacting very strongly.
“ @RollingStone : Bill Hader will return to host #SNL next month alongside indie-sould artist Hozier: http://t.co/JbptdbwUtF ” YES!!
— Nick Caputo (@fakenickcaputo) September 17, 2014
Bill Hader Returns to Host ‘SNL’ Next Month | Rolling Stone http://t.co/P7PqkiNt51 This will be a fun show!
— Beth Anne Riches (@Luvrte66) September 17, 2014
As far as cast shake ups go, The Inquisitr reported that co-anchor Cecily Strong would be replaced by Michael Che for Weekend Update. Che, a native New Yorker, will join co-anchor and head writer Colin Jost at the desk. While social media was in an uproar over Strong’s replacement, the cast member said she was “genuinely happy” about the change.
For her, it’s a more positive move. On her Instagram , Strong wrote, “I don’t see this as me leaving update, just as me being on update in a looser, goofier way that is a lot more fun for me and in a way I think I’m better at.”
She continued, “No point in being angry or sad for me for something I’m genuinely happy about! Unless you are just a person who enjoys being angry or sad. Then I guess play on, playa.”
Faces you won’t see this coming season are Noel Wells, John Milhiser, and Brooks Wheelan. These comedians were new additions of a very bloated cast last season, and were ultimately let go.
The 40th season will be a tough one to open. Although everyone is excited to see what Chris Pratt will do for the season opener, it’s one without the voice of announcer Don Pardo. Pardo passed away over the summer, and has been an important fixture on Saturday Night Live since its premiere in 1975.
On a happy note, we hope Bill Hader’s return also means that Stefon will make his way back to the stage too.
[Image via NBC]