‘Saturday Night Live’ Wraps 2026 Showcases For New Cast: Who Were The Standouts?
‘Saturday Night Live’ Wraps 2026 Showcases For New Cast: Who Were The Standouts?
As the summer comes to an end, the spotlight is on the upcoming season of Saturday Night Live. With casting for the next season in full swing, fans are eagerly waiting to see who will join the iconic show. Recently, the SNL team wrapped up their fifth and final showcase, and our sources have given us the scoop on who stood out from the pack.
LA Showcase
The first showcase took place in Los Angeles on August 6th, and our sources tell us that the following comedians impressed the SNL team: Trent Mason, Kaba Hues, Chase Rosenberg, and April Rock.
Chicago Showcase
The Chicago showcase took place at Annoyance Theatre and The iO Theater on the 10th and 11th, respectively. According to our sources, Peyton Ruddy, a 2026 JFL New Face, dominated the stage. We’re told that everyone in attendance was raving about his performance.
New York Showcase
The New York showcase took place at UCB on the 17th and 18th. Our sources tell us that Joey Welsh stole the show, with many in attendance praising his comedic skills. Other notable performers from the New York showcase include Allisha Edwards, Amber Singletary, and Saidah Belo-Osagie.
Addressing the Lack of Black Female Representation
One of the biggest concerns surrounding the SNL cast is the lack of Black female representation. With the departure of Ego Nwodim in 2025, the show has been working to address this issue. Our sources tell us that the showcase featured a number of female performers of color, including Hues, Rock, Edwards, Singletary, and Belo-Osagie.
Next Steps
Now that the showcases have wrapped up, the next step in the casting process is screen tests. Our sources tell us that calls to talent advancing to the next stage have begun going out. However, it’s worth noting that there’s always a chance of omissions, and even a comedian who didn’t showcase may be asked to test.
The SNL team is working hard to find the perfect cast members for the upcoming season. With the showcases now complete, fans can’t wait to see who will join the iconic show.
