‘Saturday Night Live’ announces October return date for in-studio shows

“Saturday Night Live” will be live from New York once again.

The 46th season of the sketch comedy show returns to NBC Oct. 3, airing live from Studio 8H in its usual 10:30 p.m time slot after the novel coronavirus forced production into a hiatus last season and later resulted in the cast and crew producing three episodes virtually from home.

“SNL” has not yet confirmed which cast members are returning or named hosts or musical guests for what is expected to be a steady run of episodes leading up to the Nov. 3 presidential election. Thursday’s announcement noted more information on the new season would be announced at a later date.

Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt and Kristen Wiig hosted last season’s virtual episodes, which were recorded earlier when they aired in April and May. (Before the production shutdown, John Krasinski had been tapped to host a March 28 episode with musical guest Dua Lipa.)

“SNL” is up for 15 Emmy Award nominations this year ahead of the Sept. 20 awards show. Among the nominations: Outstanding variety sketch series and outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for Brad Pitt, who portrayed Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, in the cold open of the April 25 remote episode.