Season 26 of Saturday Night Live began on October 7, 2000 with host Rob Lowe and musical guest Eminem and ended on May 19, 2001 with host Christopher Walken and musical guest Weezer.
The New York footage is changed to a widescreen version. The cast is in film feed throughout the season. It was also the first opening montage since the 1993–94 season in which the cast members moved on-screen. The music that would accompany the opening credits for this season and the next two would garner some criticism from some SNL "purists" because of its heavy use of turntables and DJ equipment.
Before the start of the season, longtime cast members Tim Meadows, Cheri Oteri and Colin Quinn all left the show. Meadows had been on the show for 10 seasons since 1991, while Oteri and Quinn had both been on the show for five seasons since 1995, departing on their own terms. The show added two new featured players: SNL head writer Tina Fey and Second City comedian Jerry Minor. Fey had been a writer on the show since 1997 and began as the show's head writer in 1999. Rachel Dratch and Maya Rudolph, both of whom were hired for season 25, remained as featured players.
This would be Molly Shannon’s final season as a cast member. Her final episode is on February 17, 2001. Leaving mid-season, she surpassed Victoria Jackson as the show's longest-serving female cast member and (Amy Poehler would surpass Shannon's record seven years later).
Chris Parnell was also fired after the end of the season but he would be rehired partway through the next season. His first episode back on March 2, 2002
With Colin Quinn's anchor seat on "Weekend Update" empty, executive producer Lorne Michaels decided to go back to the format used in the 1970s with two anchors. Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey were picked to anchor the segment together.
It was the first season for Tina Fey as a cast member, who was already serving as head writer, and the only season for Jerry Minor.
Cast[]
Repertory Players[]
Featured Players[]
Changes[]
Molly Shannon: Final February 17
Opening montage[]
S26
Opening montage would be used through season 27, though the logo would be slightly different for season 27.
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| Preceded by: Season 25 |
Season 26 (2000— 2001) |
Followed by: Season 27 |
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