This episode marks the first time this millennium that SNL has featured a country music guest host.TV Guide: SNL Feels a Little Bit Country (November 10, 2008) McGraw stars in the comedy Four Christmases alongside Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn; the film opens in theaters on November 26, 2008.

• "I'm looking forward to hosting the show. I'm not exactly known for my comedy, but then again, if you've been to one of my shows, you might feel differently. Hopefully hanging around Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon and Jon Favreau is good training."—Tim McGrawCMT: Tim McGraw Will Host Saturday Night Live (November 10, 2008)

• Before Michaela Watkins and Abby Elliott joined the cast in November 2008, there were only two regular female cast members, Kristen Wiig and Casey Wilson. Abby Elliott is the daughter of comedian Chris Elliott, who appeared on SNL for one season during the mid-1990s.Defamer: Estrogen Deficient SNL Adds Two More Women (November 12, 2008)

• Saturday Night Live enjoyed a ratings serge in 2008 when 30 Rock creator and former SNL head-writer Tina Fey made several appearances on SNL impersonating Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.EOnline: Alive From New York, Fey's Palin Paces SNL (October 6, 2008)

• Amy Poehler's last appearance on SNL was on October 18, 2008, when she manned the anchor desk and performed an Alaska rap with Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Poehler gave birth to a baby boy, Archie Arnett, later that month and announced that she will not return to the show after her maternity leave ends.Houston Chronicle: Amy Poehler Gives Birth (October 28, 2008)

• Fred Armisen
• Abby Elliott
• Will Forte
• Bill Hader
• Darrell Hammond
• Seth Meyers
• Bobby Moynihan
• Andy Samberg
• Jason Sudeikis
• Kenan Thompson
• Michaela Watkins
• Kristen Wiig
• Casey Wilson