'Saturday Night Live' announces premiere date; who should be the host?

"Saturday Night Live" will kick off its season slightly earlier than it usually does, opening its 38th year on NBC on Sept. 15.

The show typically kicks off a season later in September or in early October, but with NBC starting much of its schedule early -- and the opportunity for election-year comedy already high -- the earlier date makes sense.

"SNL" will begin the season without the services of Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg and Abby Elliott, all of whom have left the cast since the end of last season.

What the show doesn't have yet -- or at least hasn't announced -- is a host for the premiere. We've been saying for a while now that Katie Holmes would be an ideal candidate to host. It would be a guaranteed ratings-grabber, in addition to a great way for Holmes to reintroduce herself to a TV audience.

It also wouldn't be a surprise to see one of the stars of the Olympics taking the hosting gig, and if "SNL" goes the star-with-a-movie-to-promote route, we note that Emma Watson's post-"Harry Potter" film "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" comes out the following week.

Who do you think should host the "SNL" season premiere? Offer your suggestions in the comments.