‘SNL’ Takes Jab At Steven Seagal In Promo Heralding Dave Chappelle’s Return

Unlike most SNL promos, centered on banter between host, musical guest and cast members, today’s heralding the return of Dave Chappelle relied on voiceover, either from Morgan Freeman himself or intended to make that impression.

“Studio 8H. New York City’s hallowed comedy ground,” our narrator says, as the camera tracks through the smoky hallways of SNL‘s home base. “A 50-year tradition of laughter at Saturday Night Live.”

The voiceover goes on to note that “All the greats have passed through these halls…Also, Steven Seagal. And this Saturday…Dave’s back.” The camera pans past walls covered with photos of hosts from yesteryear before landing on Chappelle, seated on a stool on the SNL stage.

The jab at Seagal makes sense, given the action star’s rocky history with the late-night sketch series. Over the years, numerous cast members have joined the show’s creator and producer, Lorne Michaels, in opining that Seagal is among the worst hosts in its history, due to his difficult behavior in his sole outing in April 1991.

Chappelle comes back to SNL following three November hosting gigs. He addressed the country following the weighty presidential elections of 2016 and 2020, before returning in 2022. The comic is joined for this week’s episode by musical guest GloRilla, who’s coming off of a pair of Grammy nominations for her single “Yeah Glo!”. The following week, Timothée Chalamet will return to host for the third time, also serving as the rare non-pro musical guest. It’s believed that he’ll be performing songs from the ouevre of Bob Dylan, whom he portrays in the Searchlight biopic A Complete Unknown.

Following the January shows, SNL returns in mid-February with SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday, February 16. View this week’s first SNL promo above.