John Mulaney to Ashley Padilla: Lorne says ‘you’re out … out of this world!’

The comedian returns to host ‘SNL’ for his seventh time this weekend.

Bill Kuchman Nov 11, 2026

John Mulaney and Ashley Padilla — **John Mulaney** and **Ashley Padilla**. / NBC

The host: John Mulaney

The musical guest: Phoebe Bridgers

Cast members in the promo: Ashley Padilla

One of SNL’s greatest active hosts. The show’s breakout star. Together at last.

When John Mulaney last hosted SNL, it was partway through Season 50. The moment from that episode that I remember the most isn’t anything about Mulaney — it was Kamala Harris appearing opposite Maya Rudolph right before the 2024 presidential election.

As Ashley Padilla has mentioned on various podcasts, it was hard for a rookie to break through during that season of SNL. Those cameos come at a cost. But now in Season 52, Padilla is the show’s driving force, and we finally got to see her go toe-to-toe with Mulaney in this week’s series of promos.

Can the Mulaney magic break SNL out of its season-long creative slump?

Check out the complete list of SNL Season 52 hosts, musical guests and reviews.

We talkin’ TV?

The Cold Open is a publication of The Omnicosm.
Issue No. 103

The Cold Open is written and produced by Bill Kuchman.
Copyediting by Tim Kuchman.

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Published in: The Cold Open • Host Promo, The Cold Open, SNL, John Mulaney, Ashley Padilla

Author

The Omnicosm founder. Snackology, Popculturology and The Cold Open writer. A Rochester, N.Y., native now living in the Washington, D.C., area. Won’t pass up a Genny Cream Ale.

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