NEW YORK (AP) — “Saturday evening live” begins its 50th season with host Jean Smart and musical guest Jelly Roll.

Smart, the 73-year-old ‘Hacks’ and ‘Designing Women’ stars who just won her sixth Emmyhas never hosted the NBC sketch comedy institution before in her more than 40-year career. She said on Instagram that the performance is a “bucket list” achievement for her.

Former cast member Maya Rudolf is reportedly returning to the show this season to play Vice President Kamala Harris, and if recent opening episode patterns featuring the politics of the moment are any indication, she could top the show in the premiere’s cold open.

Rudolph has previously surfaced to play Harris – and won an Emmy for it – but has yet to play the role of a presidential candidate.

Lorne Michaels is still at the helm, just as he was during the first episode on October 11, 1975, when George Carlin hosted and the country got its first dose of the Not Ready for Prime Time players: Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Dan Akroyd, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris.

There were two musical guests – Billy Preston and Janis Ian – who played two songs each, the norm in the early days.

Country singer and rapper Jelly Roll has the music role to himself on Saturday, and like Smart, he’s a first-timer.

That debut show was documented and reenacted in the recently released Jason Reitman film “Saturday evening,” part of a wave of reflection and celebration, the show is on the eve of its 50th anniversary.

Upcoming episodes will feature host Nate Bargatze with musical guest Coldplay, Ariana Grande with Stevie Nicks, Michael Keaton with Billie Eilish and John Mulaney with Chappell Roan.

These shows will lead up to a three-hour primetime special on February 16 that will serve as the official celebration of the 50th season. It’s sure to feature a wide range of the many stars the show has produced, including Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Robert Downey Jr., Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Will Ferrell.