Season 36 is the thirty-sixth season of Saturday Night Live, an American sketch comedy series, originally premiered in the United States on NBC between September 25, 2010, and May 21, 2011. The season premiered on September 25, 2010, hosted by longtime former cast member and Weekend Update anchor Amy Poehler, with musical guest Katy Perry, and concluded on May 21, 2011, hosted by singer, songwriter, actor, and dancer Justin Timberlake, with musical guest Lady Gaga.
Longtime announcer Don Pardo announced that he would pre-recorded his parts from his home in Arizona rather than perform live in New York City.
Cast Changes[]
Prior to the start of the season, longtime cast member Will Forte left the show after a total of eight seasons from 2002 to 2010. Featured player Jenny Slate was let go from the show after one season. Abby Elliott and Bobby Moynihan were both upgraded to repertory status, while Nasim Pedrad remained a featured player.
Following Forte and Slate's departures, the show hired four new cast members: ImprovOlympic alumni Vanessa Bayer and Paul Brittain, stand-up comic and impressionist Jay Pharoah, and comedic actor Taran Killam of The Groundlings. Killam is the second cast member after Kenan Thompson to be a cast member on a Nickelodeon kids' sketch show (The Amanda Show) and the second cast member after Jeff Richards to be a cast member on MADtv.
Following the finale, no changes to the cast were made, and everyone would return for the next following season.
Cast[]
Changes[]
| Not Returning | Promoted | New |
|---|---|---|
Repertory Players[]
 Fred Armisen |
 Abby Elliott |
 Bill Hader |
 Seth Meyers |
 Bobby Moynihan |
 Andy Samberg |
 Jason Sudeikis |
 Kenan Thompson |
 Kristen Wiig |
Featured Players[]
 Vanessa Bayer |
 Paul Brittain |
 Taran Killam |
 Nasim Pedrad |
 Jay Pharoah |
Episodes[]
[]
| Preceded by: Season 35 |
Season 36 (2010— 2011) |
Followed by: Season 37 |
| Seasons | |
|---|---|