With record-shattering ratings, countless headlines and primetime exposure, Saturday Night Live heads to the finish line of election season, with a live show on November 1 and a two-hour election special November 3.

On November 1, Oscar winner Ben Affleck returns to host the program for the fourth time. Affleck recently received the 2007 Best Directorial Debut award from the National Board of Review for his critically praised debut Gone Baby Gone. He first rose to prominence in 1997 alongside Matt Damon as the Academy Award winning writers and co-stars of Good Will Hunting. Affleck's other credits include Shakespeare in Love, Pearl Harbor, Changing Lanes, Hollywoodland, Armageddon, The Sum Of All Fears, Daredevil and Dazed and Confused. Future projects include the ensemble comedy He's Just Not That Into You and opposite Russell Crowe in State of Play and Mike Judge's Extract.

Joining Affleck and making his live performance debut since winning Season 7 of American Idol is David Cook. Cook's debut record, produced by Grammy Award winning producer Rob Cavallo (Green Day) is due out November 18 and is already the #2 top-selling record on iTunes. This appearance marks Cook's first appearance with his new band since his Idol win in May. Cook's latest single, "Light On" is the No. 1 added track at Hot AC Radio and is climbing the Billboard Pop 100 charts. His first post-Idol single "The Time of My Life" was the best digital single debut since the second season of Idol. The single debuted at No. 3, making one of the highest new chart entries in 2008.

In addition, Saturday Night Live will present a two-hour election themed special on the night before Election Day - Monday November 3 (9:00 - 11:00 PM ET) - "Saturday Night Live Presidential Bash 2008." The taped compilation show will highlight the blockbuster current season of political satire as well as showcase the show's 33-year history of lampooning the Oval Office. In addition, there will be new material shot exclusively for the special.

Saturday Night Live 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. Seth Meyers is head writer. Don Roy King directs.