Saturday Night Live has formally announced its new Season 42 cast members, effectively replacing the departed trio of Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah, and Jon Rudnitsky. In addition to the previously-confirmed Mikey Day—who has been writing for SNL since Season 39 and recently starred in Maya & Marty—the late-night staple will bring aboard improv performer Alex Moffat and stand-up comedian Melissa Villaseñor as featured players.
Mikey Day
Before writing for SNL, Mikey Day was staffed on comedy series including Robot Chicken and Kath and Kim. But his real introduction to audiences came this past summer, when—in addition to serving as head writer—he appeared on Maya & Marty in a featured capacity, playing opposite Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, and guest stars including John Cena. Indeed, his work on the variety series likely served as the perfect dress rehearsal and audition tape for his work on SNL. The appearances also make a good primer for SNL fans who don’t yet know him.
Melissa Villaseñor
Melissa Villaseñor first received an NBC showcase in 2011, when she reached the semifinals of America’s Got Talent. She has voiced characters on Adventure Time and Family Guy, and she has a prior working relationship with Lorne Michaels, having worked on his Latino-focused premium comedy studio Más Mejor. Given her experience, her number of killer impressions—her take on Owen Wilson is particularly great—and the fact that she is officially SNL’s first-ever Latina cast member, she might be the one to really watch out for among the new crop.
Alex Moffat
Alex Moffat also has an existing relationship with NBC, having been cast in an untitled sketch comedy show for the network back in 2014. And as an alum of Second City, iO Chicago, and the Annoyance Theatre, he brings an extensive improv résumé to the cast. He also knows Tom Green, apparently.
We’ll see how the new cast members fare when Saturday Night Live returns on Oct. 1.
