Season Number: | 30 |
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Image Alt: | The title card for the thirtieth season of Saturday Night Live. |
Num Episodes: | 20 |
Network: | NBC |
Prev Season: | season 29 |
Next Season: | season 31 |
Episode List: | List of Saturday Night Live episodes |
The thirtieth season of Saturday Night Live, an American sketch comedy series, originally aired in the United States on NBC between October 2, 2004, and May 21, 2005.
This season was notable for a lip-syncing gaffe by Ashlee Simpson during her second performance (on the episode hosted by Jude Law).[1] [2] [3] This season was also home to many sketches focused on the 2004 U.S. Presidential election.[4] [5]
Before the start of this season, longtime cast member Jimmy Fallon left the show after six seasons with the cast since 1998.[6] In the wake of Fallon's departure, Fred Armisen was promoted to repertory status, while Finesse Mitchell and Kenan Thompson remained featured players.
New cast members this season included Rob Riggle, an improv comedian (at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater) and U.S. Marine (making him the first and, as of 2019, only SNL cast member to serve in the Marines).[7] This would also be Riggle's only season on the show. In addition, SNL writer Jason Sudeikis (who appeared in many bit roles before joining the cast) joined the cast as a featured player for the last three episodes of the season.[8]
With Fallon gone, Amy Poehler became Tina Fey's co-anchor on Weekend Update, making Fey and Poehler the first and, through at least season 49, only two-woman anchor team.[9]
Repertory players
Featured players
bold denotes "Weekend Update" anchor
Near the end of the season, writer Jason Sudeikis left the writing staff to join the cast.
See main article: List of Saturday Night Live episodes.