September 24, 2007 -- A week before the show was set to begin its new season, "Saturday Night Live" has reportedly re-signed longtime regular Maya Rudolph.

Her contract expired at the end of last season and there was speculation that she might try to strike out on her own.

But TV Guide online reported over the weekend that Rudolph would be back this Saturday.

Known for portraying Oprah Winfrey, Donatella Versace and Paris Hilton, Rudolph had been seeking a substantial raise.

But "SNL" has been under a lot of pressure from NBC in recent years to cut its budget. The show has even been working with a smaller cast than in the past.

....Maya Rudolph, in my opinion, is one talent who SHOULD stick around for another season. She has too much to contribute, and there's not enough "star power" in the current cast as it is {damn those budget cuts!!}- by this, I mean one less cast member with HER talents would have been a disaster in the coming weeks. Look how "lopsided" the show was in the 1979-'80 season, after John and Danny left...

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