‘SNL’ returning with all but one incumbent cast member

NEW YORK — After an off-season of some mystery involving several favorite performers, “Saturday Night Live” said it was returning for its 47th year this weekend with all but one of its incumbent cast members on board. During “Weekend Update,” Davidson told the audience, “I’m very grateful to be here, and it’s been an honor to grow up in front of you guys.” Strong had a show-stopping appearance as one of her most notable characters, Jeanine Pirro, singing a wine-soaked version of “My Way.” The returns illustrate a new-found flexibility for the show, and its importance to NBC in a changing television environment. Thompson is the longest-running “Saturday Night Live” cast member with 18 seasons, and he told Entertainment Weekly this summer that he sees no reason to leave. And then, I don’t know if it makes sense for me to leave even after that point.” Bryant helped develop and performed in the Hulu series “Shrill,” while Strong was in the Apple+ series “Schmigadoon.” It’s also a long time since the original “Saturday Night Live” cast was dubbed the “Not Ready for Prime Time Players.” The show now frequently gets more viewers than much of NBC’s prime-time fare and is seen live on the West Coast — in prime time.