As the highly anticipated 50th season of Saturday Night Live approaches, cast member Marcello Hernández is gearing up for his debut as a main cast member after two seasons as a featured player. The 27-year-old comedian expressed his excitement to return to Studio 8H, describing the feeling as akin to “school’s about to start.”
“I’m just happy to be back,” Hernández told PEOPLE. “I’m excited. It’s going to be fun.” His promotion to a full cast member was announced earlier this month, coinciding with the news that fellow cast member Chloe Troast would not be returning. Molly Kearney and Punkie Johnson had already confirmed their exits over the summer via social media.
Reflecting on the departures, Hernández shared his affection for his former colleagues. “I mean, I spent two years with Punkie and Molly and one year with Chloe at the show, and I love them,” he stated. “It’s sad that they’re not going to be on the show, but at the end of the day, I love them and support them, so that’s all you can do.”
As three new faces—Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline—join the ranks of the iconic late-night show, Hernández looks forward to re-establishing his rhythm on NBC’s beloved program. “I haven’t been able to really hang out with the new cast yet, but I’ll see them soon,” he remarked. “It’s going to be like summer camp.”
Although Hernández acknowledges the significance of the milestone 50th season, he is approaching it with a fresh perspective. “I’m approaching it like year one,” he said, emphasizing that his excitement remains unchanged.
Reflecting on his journey so far, Hernández expressed gratitude for the remarkable individuals he has met during his tenure on the show. “Meeting people that I never thought I would meet has been one of the craziest parts,” he said, listing a star-studded roster of celebrities that includes Tom Hanks, Bad Bunny, Pedro Pascal, Ana de Armas, Karol G, Billie Eilish, Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, and Kristen Wiig.
Hernández also shared a memorable encounter with Snoop Dogg during the Summer Olympics in Paris this past July. “I met Snoop Dogg at the Olympics, and I was like, ‘Oh my God,’” he recalled. However, when asked if the legendary rapper recognized him, Hernández humorously admitted, “No, I don’t think so… But everybody knows Snoop.”
As he embarks on this new chapter, Hernández expressed heartfelt sentiments about his journey on SNL. “It means a lot to me,” he reflected, wishing his grandmother could witness the opportunities he has been afforded since joining the iconic show three years ago.
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