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The Cold Open
Who’s hosting SNL?
Everything you need to know about Season 51 of Saturday Night Live.
Need to Know
- Status Calculating...
- Host Olivia Rodrigo
- Musical Guest Olivia Rodrigo
- Time 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT on NBC & Peacock.
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SNL Season 51 schedule: Dates, hosts, musical guests and reviews
Will Ferrell
May 16, 2026 / Musical guest: Paul McCartney
Matt Damon
May 9, 2026 / Musical guest: Noah Kahan
Host Promo: James Austin Johnson channels ‘Devil Wears Prada’ as he connects Olivia Rodrigo to ‘SNL’ | The Cold Open
It turns out Rodrigo might owe her entire career to ‘SNL’? I dunno. Somehow Zac Efron is involved.
Bill Kuchman
Olivia Rodrigo
May 2, 2026 / Musical guest: Olivia Rodrigo
Episode Review: Colman Domingo sets the perfect vibe for ‘SNL’ | The Cold Open
The ‘Euphoria’ star breezes through his hosting debut.
Bill Kuchman
Colman Domingo
April 11, 2026 / Musical guest: Anitta
Episode Review: Jack Black returns to save the ‘SNL’ Five-Timers Club | The Cold Open
Black summons the power of Jack White and ‘Seven Nation Army’ to restore the hallowed lounge to glory.
Bill Kuchman
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.
Bill 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.’
Bill 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.
Bill 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.’
Bill 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.
Bill 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.
Bill 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.
Bill 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.
Bill 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.
Bill 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.
Bill 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.
Bill 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.
Bill 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.
Bill 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.
Bill 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?
Bill 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.
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.
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