SNL Names Keri Powers Head of Talent Ahead of Season 52
Saturday Night Live has put one person in charge of booking its famous guests. Keri Powers has been promoted to sole head of the talent department, meaning she now leads the team that secures hosts, musical guests and guest stars, according to Deadline.
Powers joined the NBC show in 2014. She previously worked for Paramount Pictures and CAA, the talent agency. She now takes sole charge after years sharing booking duties.
The promotion follows the exit of longtime music booker Brian Siedlecki. He departed after 30 years after SNL elected not to renew his contract, according to The Hollywood Reporter. During his tenure he booked Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo.
Rebecca Schwartz has also stepped up. She has been promoted to producer from the talent team, where she has worked since 2015. The new role increases her responsibilities supporting the cast and production efforts.
The backstage changes land as Season 52 begins. The season opens with basketball player Jalen Brunson as host and girl group Katseye as musical guest. It airs live on NBC and Peacock on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET.
The cast looks different too. Chloe Fineman left ahead of the new season after seven years. She announced her departure in July, saying her contract was up and an opportunity with producer David E. Kelley had come up. Martin Herlihy has also left. He hails from the comedy group Please Don’t Destroy.
Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter join as featured players, the show’s entry-level cast tier. Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline have been promoted to repertory status, the main cast. The moves follow a busy year of exits. Bowen Yang announced midway through Season 51 that he would leave. Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim left before Season 51.
For viewers, this means new faces on screen and a new name deciding who joins them each week. The slot is unchanged. The booking job is not.
