For decades, Saturday Night Live (SNL) has been the launchpad for some of the most iconic names in comedy. From Eddie Murphy to Tina Fey, Will Ferrell to Kristen Wiig, the sketch comedy institution has served as a proving ground for performers whose careers later flourished in Hollywood and beyond. Traditionally, the show’s scouts found new comedians in improv theaters like Second City or Upright Citizens Brigade, or at stand-up clubs across the country. But as digital platforms reshaped the entertainment industry, so too did the SNL talent pipeline. Today, platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are as important as the comedy stage when it comes to spotting the next big star.

As SNL prepares to launch its 51st season on October 4, executive producer Lorne Michaels and his creative team have unveiled a new batch of cast members. This year’s additions highlight the diverse paths comedians now take to reach late-night television. Some built their reputations in traditional stand-up circuits, while others became breakout stars online through viral sketches. Together, these performers represent the evolving landscape of comedy and the growing influence of digital media in shaping modern entertainment.

Ben Marshall: From Please Don’t Destroy to the Main Stage

Perhaps the most recognizable newcomer is Ben Marshall, part of the comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy. Alongside John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, Marshall joined SNL as a writer in 2021. The group quickly gained attention for their digital shorts, which struck a chord with both younger audiences and long-time fans. Their videos, often surreal and rapid-fire in style, became some of the most shared content from the show in recent years. One 2021 short — featuring Pete Davidson and Taylor Swift dunking on the trio — went viral, racking up more than 20 million views online.

Marshall’s promotion to the cast signals the next step in his career trajectory. Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, and later a student at New York University, Marshall began collaborating with Higgins and Herlihy in 2017. What started as live college performances expanded into a multi-platform comedy presence on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. While Higgins has announced he will leave SNL to pursue acting roles, and Herlihy will remain as a writer, Marshall now carries the torch for Please Don’t Destroy directly on screen.

The trio has confirmed they will continue touring and creating content outside of SNL, but Marshall’s new role places him firmly in the spotlight as an official cast member. For fans of his digital sketches, his presence on the main stage ensures the style of humor that gained millions of views online will now reach live television audiences weekly.

Kam Patterson: A Stand-Up Sensation With Viral Edge

At just 26, Kam Patterson represents the new wave of stand-up comedians transitioning from grassroots beginnings to national recognition. Raised in Orlando, Florida, Patterson credits his early days working at Foot Locker with sparking his comedy career. Co-workers encouraged him to try open mics, noting his natural wit and charisma. He quickly gained momentum and eventually became a regular on the popular comedy podcast Kill Tony, hosted by Tony Hinchcliffe.

By 2024, Patterson had performed live at Kill Tony’s Madison Square Garden show, solidifying his reputation as a rising star. His comedic style blends sharp observational humor with an irreverent edge, often showcased in viral YouTube clips. In his series Kam & the Whites, he humorously documents his attempts to fit into stereotypical “white people” activities such as rock climbing and cliff diving. These sketches resonated online, earning him a dedicated following.

While his live comedy is often sprinkled with expletives, Patterson will need to adapt his material for NBC’s broadcast standards. Still, his quick timing and crowd interaction skills suggest he’s more than ready to deliver in front of SNL’s live audience.

Veronika Slowikowska: A Rising Star in Physical Comedy

Canadian actress and comedian Veronika Slowikowska brings a different dimension to SNL’s lineup. At 29, she has already appeared in several television projects, including FX’s hit mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows, where she played the vampire hunter Shanice. She also featured in Shane Gillis’s Netflix workplace comedy Tires and starred in the sci-fi teen show Davey & Jonesie’s Locker.

Yet, it is Slowikowska’s online sketches with collaborator Kyle Chase that best demonstrate her comedic potential. Since 2023, the duo has been posting absurd and physical comedy videos across Instagram and TikTok. Their sketches often rack up millions of views, with one standout video from May — in which Slowikowska literally walks in Chase’s oversized shoes — surpassing 8 million views and 1.5 million likes. Her expressive style, quirky timing, and physical humor align perfectly with SNL’s tradition of bold character work.

Tommy Brennan: Midwest Charm With Sharp Wit

At 32, Tommy Brennan brings both small-town relatability and polished comedic chops to the cast. Originally from Minnesota, Brennan first gained attention in Chicago’s improv community while performing at Second City. However, he shifted to stand-up to gain more control over his performances. In 2023, his talent was recognized when he was selected as a New Face of Comedy at the prestigious Just for Laughs festival in Montreal.

Brennan credits much of his comedic development to his friendship with the late Louie Anderson, a legendary comedian he met in Chicago in 2019. Anderson’s mentorship helped him refine his material and encouraged him to write about his own experiences. Brennan, one of eight siblings, often mines his large-family upbringing for material. During his Tonight Show debut in June 2023, he quipped: “You can’t love eight kids individually. You manage them like a sports franchise.” His accessible humor, combined with Midwestern warmth, makes him a strong fit for SNL’s ensemble cast.

Jeremy Culhane: Versatility Across TV and Digital Platforms

Jeremy Culhane, 33, rounds out the new lineup with a resume that spans both traditional television and digital-first comedy. A California native, Culhane has appeared in popular shows such as HBO’s The Sex Lives of College Girls and Netflix’s American Vandal. He is also a recurring performer on Dropout, a subscription-based comedy platform known for its cult following. Additionally, his background in improv at Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles helped shape his versatile comedic style.

Like many of his fellow newcomers, Culhane’s biggest exposure has come from TikTok. In one viral sketch from 2023, which has amassed over 10 million views and nearly 2 million likes, he plays a lovable, anxious character unraveling while preparing for a date. His ability to blend sincerity with absurdity reflects the kind of offbeat humor that has become increasingly popular in the digital age — and one that SNL audiences are likely to embrace.

The Evolution of SNL’s Comedy Pipeline

The arrival of these new cast members underscores how dramatically SNL’s recruitment strategy has shifted. While the show still values stand-up experience and improv training, the digital era has opened new avenues for comedians to prove their talent. Viral TikTok sketches, YouTube shorts, and podcast appearances now carry as much weight as live performances at traditional comedy venues. This hybrid approach reflects broader trends in entertainment, where social media visibility can fast-track a performer’s career.

For Lorne Michaels and the SNL production team, this shift allows the show to remain culturally relevant and tapped into the platforms shaping modern humor. It also expands the diversity of comedic voices on stage — from Slowikowska’s physical antics to Patterson’s brash stand-up to Culhane’s quirky character work.

Looking Ahead to Season 51

As SNL heads into its 51st season, expectations are high. The show’s ability to continually reinvent itself has been key to its longevity, and this latest crop of performers adds fresh energy to the ensemble. Whether through live sketches, digital shorts, or viral clips, these comedians bring a mix of traditional training and online savvy that mirrors how audiences now consume comedy.

With the premiere scheduled for October 4, fans will soon see how Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska, Tommy Brennan, and Jeremy Culhane adapt to the pressures — and opportunities — of live late-night comedy. If history is any indication, some of these names could soon join the long list of SNL alumni who went on to shape comedy for a generation.