Rumors that Saturday Night Live (SNL) might be on its last leg gained new steam a couple of weeks ago, when veteran member Kenan Thompson told Charlamagne Tha God that there might be some validity to the rumor. The sketch-comedy show is set to premiere its 48th season this fall, showing on both NBC and Peacock.
Despite these rumors, SNL remains a major step in the careers of many comedians, who have gone on to success in a variety of endeavors. One way many have found success is through podcasting, where alumni are able to tell jokes and explore topics without the restraints of the comedy show.
Fly On The Wall - Dana Carvey & David Spade
Two veterans of the SNL stage, Dana Carvey and David Spade logged a combined fifteen years on the variety show. Carvey got his start in 1986, and was in the twilight of his time on the series when Spade ed the cast in 1990.
At the beginning of 2022, the two ed forces to start their new SNL-centered podcast, Fly On The Wall. Each episode the duo invites a fellow alumnus of the NBC show to reminisce on their time on SNL and discuss previously untold stories from their careers, as well as the impact the show has had on their lives.
Laughing With Myself - Melissa Villaseñor
An active cast member on SNL, Melissa Villaseñor has been with the sketch-comedy show since her debut in 2016, where she was introduced as a feature player. Prior to her time on SNL, Villaseñor was also a contestant on America's Got Talent, where she lost in the semifinals.
Despite currently being actively employed by SNL, Villaseñor has not let that stop her from pursuing podcasting. She hosts Laughing With Myself, which she uses to discuss random topics that come to her head, as well as sing and do impressions to make herself and her listeners laugh.
You Already Know With Kenan Thompson & Tani Marole - Kenan Thompson
The longest-serving cast member ever, Kenan Thompson has been a regular on the SNL stage since his debut in 2003, and will be starring in his 18th season as a repertory player this fall. Thompson has no intentions of leaving the show either, telling the Washington Post in 2019 that SNL is his "forever plan."
While Thompson is in it for the long run with SNL, that hasn't stopped him from dabbling in side productions, such as his pocdast with Tani Marole: You Already Know. This dynamic duo uses their platform to discuss all things entertainment, from movies to TV to sports, giving their hottest takes on the latest in pop culture.
Heads Will Roll - Kate McKinnon
A staple on SNL for the past decade, Kate McKinnon is best known for her impressions of prominent political figures such as Hillary Clinton, Lindsey Graham, and Kellyanne Conway. With many iconic sketches under her belt, McKinnon announced that she will be leaving the NBC show on the season 47 finale.
While she was working on SNL, McKinnon also tried her hand at podcasting, co-creating and starring in the Audible comedy miniseries Heads Will Roll, which also features many of her fellow SNL stars. The comedy series follows the story of a queen played by McKinnon, who must put down a peasant rebellion and save the crown.
Norm Macdonald Live - Norm Macdonald
A five-year veteran of the SNL stage, the late, great Norm Macdonald was an anchor on the show's Weekend Update segment for three and a half seasons. He also did some notable impression work on the variety show, including imitations of Burt Reynolds and Larry King.
Macdonald premiered his podcast Norm Macdonald Live in 2013, running it for three seasons. The podcast ran similarly to late night talk shows, with Macdonald discussing current events with his co-host Adam Eget, as well as having a guest interview each episode.
Late Night With Seth Meyers Podcast - Seth Meyers
Current late-night talk show host and SNL alumnus Seth Meyers was a mainstay on the sketch-comedy show for more than half of the 21st century, having worked for SNL from 2001 to 2014. Meyers was best known for his work on the Weekend Update segment, which he hosted for about nine years.
Since his time with SNL, Meyers has been hosting Late Night, succeeding fellow SNL alum Jimmy Fallon. While the talk show airs weeknights, Meyers also puts out his Late Night content in the form of a podcast, showcasing his "A Closer Look" segments and more in each episode.
The Al Franken Podcast - Al Franken
A former US Senator and one of the original writers for SNL, Al Franken was a feature on the show for over 15 years, writing and making the occasional appearance from 1975 to 1980, and returning after a brief hiatus in 1985. He left the show for good in 1995.
In 2019, the SNL alum and former politician took to the podcasting world, starting the aptly named Al Franken Podcast. Currently running, with new episodes every week, Franken invites guests onto the podcast to discuss public policy, with the occasional political comedy sprinkled in.
The Ron Burgundy Podcast - Will Ferrell
A member of the Frat Pack and seven-year veteran of SNL, Will Ferrell is widely known for his comedic exploits in both film and sketch comedy. Since his time on the show, Ferrell has returned to host five times, often reprising his fan-favorite role as the late Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek.
One of Ferrell's most prominent roles was as the titular character in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. The character was so popular among fans that, in 2019, Ferrell started a podcast in which he reprises the role, interviewing celebrity guests on various topics and making fans laugh throughout.
Here's The Thing With Alec Baldwin - Alec Baldwin
While never an official cast member on the variety show, Alec Baldwin is certainly well-deserving of the title of alumnus, having appeared as a host on SNL a record seventeen times. He also has reprised several roles on SNL, including his Schweddy Balls Christmas skit and his impression of Donald Trump.
Baldwin currently hosts his long-running podcast Here's The Thing, which premiered in October, 2011. On it, Baldwin takes listeners into the lives of the celebrities and politicians he interviews, getting in-depth looks and first-hand s their careers and lives.
Hit Job - Pete Davidson
Comedian Pete Davidson made history with his premiere on SNL in 2014, becoming the first cast member born in the 1990s to the variety show. Davidson's time on SNL lasted up until this past season, where he said his goodbyes on the Weekend Update segment after officially announcing his exit on Instagram before the show.
Since the turn of the decade, Davidson has upped his screen output, starring in a number of movies in 2021 and 2022. He also starred in the Audible podcast Hit Job with Keke Palmer, playing Palmer's geeky coworker Geo as they attempt to survive a deadly contest at their company.