Who’s hosting SNL?

Support The Cold Open

Join the hundreds of SNL fans who get expert analysis and news delivered to their inbox. This publication is a free newsletter, but it’s fueled by readers like you.

Subscribe Upgrade to Paid

Includes full access to Snackology and Popculturology.

SNL Season 51 schedule: Dates, hosts, musical guests and reviews

Jack Black

April 4, 2026 / Musical guest: Jack White

Episode Review: Harry Styles gets a low-energy ‘SNL’ return | The Cold Open

There was always going to be a drop-off after Ryan Gosling’s unhinged episode, but the show could’ve tried a bit harder.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Harry Styles

March 14, 2026 / Musical guest: Harry Styles

Episode Review: Ryan Gosling easily delivers the best ‘SNL’ of the season | The Cold Open

This episode was a ton of fun, and I’m on board with agreeing that Gosling is ‘your favorite host of all time.’

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Ryan Gosling

March 7, 2026 / Musical guest: Gorillaz

Episode Review: ‘Heated Rivalry’ star Connor Storrie takes his shot at hosting ‘SNL’ | The Cold Open

Unfortunately, Storrie’s opportunity to break away as an ‘SNL’ host came up short thanks to an uneven mix of sketches.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Connor Storrie

Feb. 28, 2026 / Musical guest: Mumford & Sons

Episode Review: Alexander Skarsgård and Stellan Skarsgård make ‘SNL’ a family affair | Deep SNL Thoughts

As the ‘Murderbot’ star was joined by his dad for the show’s 1,000th episode, Ashley Padilla and Andrew Dismukes reunited on ‘Weekend Update.’

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Alexander Skarsgård

Jan. 31, 2026 / Musical guest: Geese

Episode Review: ‘SNL’ bounces back thanks to Teyana Taylor and Ashley Padilla | Deep SNL Thoughts

It wasn’t an easy night for a new episode of ‘SNL,’ but the ‘One Battle After Another’ star did her best to infuse this episode with energy.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Teyana Taylor

Jan. 25, 2026 / Musical guest: Cardi B

Episode Review: ‘SNL’ kicks off 2026 with a forgettable Finn Wolfhard episode | Deep SNL Thoughts

The host reunited with a few ‘Stranger Things’ buddies, but even a cameo from Sabrina Carpenter couldn’t give this episode a spark.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Finn Wolfhard

Jan. 17, 2026 / Musical guest: A$AP Rocky

Episode Review: ‘This is my last shift’: Bowen Yang says farewell to as Ariana Grande hosts | Deep SNL Thoughts

Yang’s departure makes him the latest big name to leave the cast after Season 50.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Ariana Grande

Dec. 20, 2025 / Musical guest: Cher

Episode Review: Josh O’Connor hosted ‘SNL,’ but Ashley Padilla ran away with the episode | Deep SNL Thoughts

The sophomore star’s legend grows. It’s past time for Lorne Michaels to promote her from featured status.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Josh O’Connor

Dec. 13, 2025 / Musical guest: Lily Allen

Episode Review: ‘SNL’ gives us Melissa McCarthy as host for her 6th time, takes us to ‘Cousin’ Planet | Deep SNL Thoughts

McCarthy as host? A bit low energy this time. Jost as Hegseth? Bombastic.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Melissa McCarthy

Dec. 6, 2025 / Musical guest: Dijon

Episode Review: Glen Powell leads Slay Division; MacGruber, Ashley Padilla and ‘Update’ tackle the Epstein Files | Deep SNL Thoughts

Will Forte was back as MacGruber, while the ‘SNL’ breakout star kicked things off as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Glen Powell

Nov. 15, 2025 / Musical guest: Olivia Dean

Episode Review: Nikki Glaser’s ‘SNL’ lacks the edge her comedy is known for | Deep SNL Thoughts

Meanwhile Pete Davidson returns to ‘Weekend Update’ to defend the state of his Staten Island Ferry.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Nikki Glaser

Nov. 8, 2025 / Musical guest: sombr

Episode Review: ‘Property Brothers’ unleash ‘White House Makeover’ as Miles Teller hosts | Deep SNL Thoughts

The star duo of Ashley Padilla and Andrew Dismukes continues to rise, while Ramy Youssef and Shane Gillis score cameos.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Miles Teller

Nov. 1, 2025 / Musical guest: Brandi Carlile

Episode Review: The universe finally lets Sabrina Carpenter host ‘SNL’ — and she brings Domingo with her | Deep SNL Thoughts

After teasing ‘SNL’ fans as the musical guest, in ‘SNL50’ and with a cameo, the singer got an episode all her own.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Sabrina Carpenter

Oct. 18, 2025 / Musical guest: Sabrina Carpenter

Episode Review: Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Seth Meyers challenge Colin Jost and Michael Che to a Joke Off | Deep SNL Thoughts

The ‘SNL’ vet brought her ‘Weekend Update’ wives with her as she hosted the show for a third time.

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Amy Poehler

Oct. 11, 2025 / Musical guest: Role Model

Episode Review: ‘Should’ve called it at 50, right?’: Bad Bunny kicks off Season 51 | Deep SNL Thoughts

Who doesn’t love a cameo from Juan Jamón?

The OmnicosmBill Kuchman

Bad Bunny

Oct. 4, 2025 / Musical guest: Doja Cat

Support The Cold Open

Join the hundreds of SNL fans who get expert analysis and news delivered to their inbox. This publication is a free newsletter, but it’s fueled by readers like you.

Subscribe Upgrade to Paid

Includes full access to Snackology and Popculturology.

How to watch Saturday Night Live

SNL airs at 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT on NBC & Peacock.

Who’s in the Season 51 cast?

Repertory players: Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson

Featured players: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Ashley Padilla, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska, Jane Wickline

The Cold Open previously published as Deep SNL Thoughts.

The Cold Open is a publication of The Omnicosm.

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

Love what The Cold Open is doing? You can help keep the newsletter going by becoming a paid supporter.

If this edition of The Cold Open brought you joy, consider sending a tip.

Get the full The Omnicosm experience. Add Snackology and Popculturology to your subscription via your account settings.

Bluesky Instagram