Saturday Night Live is back with a brand-new season—and a bold new lineup. The long-running NBC comedy institution premieres season 51 this weekend, with Bad Bunny set to host the first episode alongside musical guest Doja Cat.
Who’s hosting the SNL premiere?
Bad Bunny is no stranger to Studio 8H. This marks his second time hosting SNL, following a string of career highs including:
- A massive residency in Puerto Rico ending Saturday
- His newly announced role as Super Bowl 2026 halftime headliner
- A standout performance at the SNL50: The Homecoming Concert
Doja Cat will make her SNL musical guest debut, adding to what’s expected to be a high-energy premiere.
New cast members join the mix
The 51st season launches with a revamped cast, following several high-profile departures:
Departing cast:
- Ego Nwodim
- Devon Walker
- Emil Wakim
- Michael Longfellow
(Heidi Gardner is also rumored to be leaving, though unconfirmed)
New featured players:
- Ben Marshall (SNL writer turned cast member)
- Tommy Brennan
- Jeremy Culhane
- Kam Patterson
- Veronika Slowikowska
These changes signal a creative refresh as the show moves beyond its 50th anniversary year.
What’s next on SNL?
The premiere kicks off a strong October lineup:
- Oct. 11: Amy Poehler hosts (her second solo outing), with Role Model as musical guest. This episode airs exactly 50 years after the show’s 1975 debut.
- Oct. 18: Sabrina Carpenter pulls double duty as both host and musical guest.
All three upcoming hosts played a part in last season’s 50th celebration events, hinting at a blend of nostalgia and fresh momentum.
Season 50 brought in big awards
SNL closed out season 50 with 12 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Variety Special. During the ceremony, creator Lorne Michaels accepted an Emmy and reflected on the show’s historic legacy, saying:
“I won this award for the first time 50 years ago, in 1975. I never dreamed I’d still be doing the same show.”
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