NBC�S EMMY WINNING 'SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE' KICKS OFF 30th SEASON WITH BIG STARS A NEW CAST MEMBER

Season Premiere October 2 to Feature Ben Affleck and Musical Guest Nelly

October 9 Features Oscar Nominee Queen Latifah as Host and Musical Guest

Jude Law, Ashlee Simpson, Eminem also slated for October

Rob Riggle joins as Featured Player

NEW YORK -- September 30, 2004 -- In addition to welcoming Ben Affleck and chart-topping musical guest Nelly, SNL will debut a new cast member � Rob Riggle-- as it kicks off its 30th Season on October 2 (NBC, 11:30 pm � 1:00 am ET).

Sketch and improv comedian Rob Riggle joins the cast as a featured player on the Emmy Award winning comedy-variety series.

A regular performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York City, Riggle has made several appearances on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and was the "Culture Coach" on Comedy Central's "Straight Plan for the Gay Man." Born in Louisville, Kentucky and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, prior to his career in comedy, Riggle was in the United States Marine Corps. He served in five real world operations including operations in Liberia and Kosovo. Following September 11th, 2001, Rob was called back to active duty and served in Afghanistan.

The line up for the show's premiere month is hot with Queen Latifah taking on host and musical guest duties on October 9 and Jude Law hosting on October 23 with music from Ashlee Simpson. Finally, on October 30, SNL welcomes musical guest Eminem with a host to be announced later.

Returning to the show are Fred Armisen, Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey, Will Forte, Darrell Hammond, Seth Meyers, Finesse Mitchell, Chris Parnell, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Horatio Sanz and Kenan Thompson.

"Saturday Night Live," which premiered on October 11, 1975, is from SNL Studios in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels. Steve Higgins produces. Marci Klein and Mike Shoemaker are producers. Beth McCarthy Miller directs.