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‘SNL’ Promotes Keri Powers to Sole Head of Talent Department, Rebecca Schwartz Upped to Producer
Saturday Night Live has restructured its talent department following the departure of longtime music booker Brian Siedlecki, who did not have his contract renewed after three decades with the show. Keri Powers, who has been with SNL since 2014, has been promoted to sole head of the talent department, giving her responsibility for booking hosts, musical guests and guest stars. Rebecca Schwartz, another long-serving member of the team since 2015, has also been promoted to producer to expand her role in supporting the cast and production.
The shake-up comes as the show prepares for its 52nd season with multiple cast changes. Departing cast members include Chloe Fineman, who left after seven years to pursue a David E. Kelley television opportunity, and Martin Herlihy from the comedy group Please Don't Destroy. This follows significant cast attrition from the previous season, with Bowen Yang and others including Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim exiting beforehand. The new season launches with NBA star Jalen Brunson as the opening host and KATSEYE as musical guest, alongside new featured cast members Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter.
In short
- Keri Powers elevated to sole head of SNL talent department after 12 years with show
- Longtime music booker Brian Siedlecki departs after 30 years; contract not renewed
- Season 52 begins with multiple cast departures and fresh additions to the ensemble
Explained simply
Saturday Night Live is an American sketch comedy show that has been broadcast since 1975, featuring a different celebrity host and musical guest each week. The show's talent department handles the crucial job of booking these performers. The department has recently undergone significant changes in its leadership.
Brian Siedlecki, who had worked in the talent department for three decades, left the show after his contract was not renewed. Keri Powers, who has been with Saturday Night Live since 2014, has been promoted to become the sole head of the talent department, overseeing bookings for hosts, musical guests and guest stars. Rebecca Schwartz, who joined the show in 2015, has been promoted to producer to expand her role.
The restructuring occurs as Saturday Night Live experiences broader change, with several cast members departing to pursue other opportunities. Such transitions are part of how the long-running show refreshes itself over time. The new roles for Powers and Schwartz suggest continuity in leadership whilst signalling evolution at the show.
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