Saturday Night Live season 37

Saturday Night Live
Season 37
The title card for the thirty-seventh season of Saturday Night Live.
No. of episodes22
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseSeptember 24, 2011 (2011-09-24) –
May 19, 2012 (2012-05-19)
Season chronology
← Previous
season 36
Next →
season 38
List of episodes

The thirty-seventh season of Saturday Night Live, an American sketch comedy series, originally aired in the United States on NBC between September 24, 2011, and May 19, 2012.[1]

Cast

The season began with minimal changes to the cast, as everyone from the prior year returned. The only major change was Nasim Pedrad being upgraded to repertory status.

Vanessa Bayer, Paul Brittain, Taran Killam, and Jay Pharoah all remained as featured players.[2] Brittain, who had joined the show for season 36 alongside Bayer, Killam, and Pharoah, exited abruptly halfway through this season, making his final appearance on January 14, 2012.[3] Following Brittain's departure, impressionist and writer Kate McKinnon, previously a cast member on The Big Gay Sketch Show, joined the cast midseason, as a featured player, making her debut on April 7, 2012, following a March 28, 2012, report of her being hired.[4][5] McKinnon is SNL's first openly gay cast member hired since Terry Sweeney in 1985,[6] and the show's first openly gay female cast member (Denny Dillon from the 1980–81 season was SNL's first lesbian cast member but Dillon's sexuality was not public knowledge until much later).[7]

This was the final season for longtime cast members Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg, both cast members since 2005,[8][9] as well as for Abby Elliott, who had been a cast member since 2008.[10] Elliott was let go from the show following the finale, while Wiig and Samberg both left on their own terms.

Cast roster

bold denotes Weekend Update anchor

Writers

Main article: List of Saturday Night Live writers § Season 37

This season saw several new writers. CollegeHumor writer Sarah Schneider was added to the writing staff, after serving as a guest writer for the last five episodes of season 36.[11] Also added were Chris Kelly, who previously wrote for Funny or Die and The Onion News Network; Zach Kanin, who worked on the Harvard Lampoon; and Peter Schultz, a performer from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, who was hired to write for Weekend Update.[12][13]

Additionally, starting with this season, writers Erik Kenward (who has been with the show since 2001) and John Mulaney (who previously joined the writing staff in 2008) are named as producers of the show.[14] Mulaney was previously a writing supervisor for the past two seasons, and Bryan Tucker and Colin Jost continue on as the two writing supervisors, this season.

This was also the last season for writer/producer Mulaney, after four years with the show.[15]

The season saw the deaths of three former SNL writers. Nelson Lyon died at the age of 73 due to liver cancer; Lyon wrote for the show during its seventh season.[16] Mark O'Donnell, who also wrote during the show's seventh season, died of a heart attack at the age of 58 outside his apartment in New York.[17] Tom Davis, who was one of the original SNL writers and appeared in multiple sketches over the years died after a three-year battle with throat and neck cancer.

Episodes

Main article: List of Saturday Night Live episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		HostMusical guest(s)Original air dateRatings/
Share
7031Alec BaldwinRadioheadSeptember 24, 20115.0/13

7042Melissa McCarthyLady AntebellumOctober 1, 20115.2/13

7053Ben StillerFoster the PeopleOctober 8, 20114.8/12

7064Anna FarisDrakeOctober 15, 20114.8/12

7075Charlie DayMaroon 5November 5, 20114.9/11

7086Emma StoneColdplayNovember 12, 20114.5/11

7097Jason SegelFlorence + The MachineNovember 19, 20114.6/11

7108Steve BuscemiThe Black KeysDecember 3, 20114.8/11

7119Katy PerryRobynDecember 10, 20114.8/11

71210Jimmy FallonMichael BubléDecember 17, 20115.3/13

71311Charles BarkleyKelly ClarksonJanuary 7, 20127.4/18

71412Daniel RadcliffeLana Del ReyJanuary 14, 20125.2/12

71513Channing TatumBon IverFebruary 4, 20124.7/11

71614Zooey DeschanelKarminFebruary 11, 20125.0/12

71715Maya RudolphSleigh BellsFebruary 18, 20124.9/12

71816Lindsay LohanJack WhiteMarch 3, 20125.5/14

71917Jonah HillThe ShinsMarch 10, 20124.3/11

72018Sofía VergaraOne DirectionApril 7, 20125.0/16[35]

72119Josh BrolinGotyeApril 14, 20124.6/11[36]

72220Eli ManningRihannaMay 5, 20125.2/13[37]

72321Will FerrellUsherMay 12, 20125.1/13

72422Mick JaggerMick Jagger
(with Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters, Jeff Beck)		May 19, 20125.2/13

References

  1. ^ "Watch Saturday Night Live Season 37 | Prime Video". www.amazon.com. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  2. ^ "Lorne Michaels: All 'SNL' Cast Members Will Return This Season". Huffington Post. August 2, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Stack, Tim (January 31, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' scoop: Cast member Paul Brittain to leave immediately". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (March 28, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' To Add Female Player". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 27, 2015. ...UCB's McKinnon, will make her debut on SNL's next show next Saturday hosted by Sofia Vergara
  5. ^ "Sofia Vergara, One Direction". Saturday Night Live. Season 37. Episode 18. April 7, 2012. Event occurs at 06:42. NBC. Featuring Vanessa Bayer, Taran Killam, Kate McKinnon, Jay Pharoah.
  6. ^ Gay, Verne (March 29, 2012). "Kate McKinnon joining 'SNL' cast". Newsday. New York City / Long Island. Archived from the original on April 1, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  7. ^ Woodtke, Jordyn (March 30, 2012). "'SNL' Casts First Openly Gay Female". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on July 27, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  8. ^ Buchanan, Kyle (June 1, 2012). "Andy Samberg Is Now Officially Leaving Saturday Night Live". Vulture. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  9. ^ Moore, Frazier (May 20, 2012). "Kristen Wiig Last 'SNL' Episode Ends With Emotional Sendoff". New Haven Register. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Byrne, Fiona (October 12, 2012). "Exclusive: Abby Elliott on Her New Movie, a Role on 'How I Met Your Mother,' and Leaving 'SNL'". Elle. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  11. ^ Frucci, Adam (August 10, 2011). "CollegeHumor's Sarah Schneider Hired as a Writer at SNL". Vulture. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  12. ^ Frucci, Adam (September 20, 2011). "SNL Rounds Out Its New Season Hires with Writers Zach Kanin and Peter Schultz". Vulture. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  13. ^ Frucci, Adam (September 15, 2011). "Funny or Die/Onion News Network's Chris Kelly Hired as a Writer at SNL". Vulture. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  14. ^ "Alec Baldwin/Radiohead". Saturday Night Live. Season 37. Episode 1. September 24, 2011. Event occurs at Closing credits. NBC.
  15. ^ "The GQ+A: John Mulaney on His New FOX Sitcom and Leaving SNL". GQ. November 4, 2013.
  16. ^ Nelson, Valerie (July 20, 2012). "Nelson Lyon dies at 73; director of sex comedy 'The Telephone Book'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  17. ^ Rao, Mallika (August 6, 2012). "Mark O'Donnell Dead: Tony Winning 'Hairspray' Writer, 58, Found Outside Apartment". HuffPost. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  18. ^ "Radiohead on 'Saturday Night Live': Dancing Thom & 2 Drummers". Billboard. September 25, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  19. ^ Perricone, Kathleen (September 25, 2011). "'SNL': Steve Martin crashes Alec Baldwin's opening monologue, tests him for steroids". NY Daily News. Archived from the original on March 1, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  20. ^ Mapes, Jillian (October 3, 2011). "Lady Antebellum 'Own' Saturday Night Live: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  21. ^ a b Doherty, Maggie (October 10, 2011). "Foster the People Give 'Pumped Up' Performance on 'SNL': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  22. ^ Gioia, Michael C. (October 11, 2011). "Watch Hugh Jackman Portray How to Succeed…'s Daniel Radcliffe on "Saturday Night Live" (Video)". Playbill. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  23. ^ Johnson, Zach (October 9, 2011). "Ben Stiller Reprises Zoolander Role on Saturday Night Live". Us Weekly. Archived from the original on December 2, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  24. ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (October 16, 2011). "Drake Delivers Halloween Rap, Performs on 'SNL'". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  25. ^ Mapes, Jillian (November 14, 2011). "Coldplay on 'SNL': Crying to Adele, Chris Martin Rocks a Holiday Vest". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  26. ^ Mapes, Jillian (November 21, 2011). "Florence + the Machine Rocks 'SNL' With New Jack Swing Thanksgiving Song". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  27. ^ Depland, Michael (December 5, 2011). "The Black Keys Aren't 'Lonely' With Second 'SNL' Spot: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  28. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (December 11, 2011). "Katy Perry Hosts 'SNL': The Hits & Misses, Including a Florence Welch Spoof". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  29. ^ a b "Michael Buble 'Duets' With Kanye, Taylor Swift & Gaga on 'SNL': Watch". Billboard. December 19, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  30. ^ Mapes, Jillian (January 9, 2012). "Kelly Clarkson Rocks 'SNL' With Girl Power, Keytar". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  31. ^ Semigran, Aly (January 7, 2012). "Charles Barkley hosts tonight's 'Saturday Night Live'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  32. ^ Schneider, Marc (January 15, 2012). "Live From New York, It's Lana Del Rey". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  33. ^ Schneider, Marc (February 5, 2012). "On 'SNL,' Bon Iver Shines as 'Lana Del Rey' Whines". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  34. ^ Gottlieb, Jed (February 11, 2012). "Say Hello to Karmin". Boston Herald. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  35. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 8, 2012). "'SNL' Ratings Up In Return From Hiatus". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 9, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
  36. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 15, 2012). "'SNL' Ratings Down WIth Host Josh Brolin". Deadline Hollywood. PMC. Archived from the original on April 16, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  37. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 6, 2012). "Eli Manning's 'Saturday Night Live' Ratings Strong But No Match For Lindsay Lohan's". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  38. ^ "Mick Jagger". Saturday Night Live. Season 37. Episode 22. May 19, 2012. NBC.