SNL Season 51: Premiere Date, Host Lineup and Cast Shakeups

Saturday Night Live will return for its 51st season on Oct. 4, with Bad Bunny set to host and Doja Cat as the musical guest. The announcement arrives as NBC gears up for a season that promises significant on-screen changes, including a notable reshaping of the cast following a summer of departures. Five longtime cast members have exited in the off-season — Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim — while the show adds five new comedians to the ensemble: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska, and Ben Marshall of Please Don’t Destroy. The season’s hosts for the first three episodes have also been revealed, signalling a mix of returning favorites and fresh faces for the new era of SNL.

The season kicks off with Bad Bunny hosting and Doja Cat performing as the musical guest, followed by Amy Poehler returning to Studio 8H for Episode 2 with Role Model as the musical guest. Episode 3 will feature Sabrina Carpenter serving as both host and musical guest, continuing the program’s tradition of pairing high-profile hosts with versatile musical guests. The show’s lineup underscores NBC’s strategy of blending established comedy leaders with new voices as it moves into its 51st year on air.

Is Saturday Night Live new tonight? As of Sept. 27, NBC is not airing a new episode. The network is re-broadcasting last season’s Ariana Grande episode with musical guest Stevie Nicks (Season 50, Episode 3). The return of new episodes is scheduled for next week, when Season 51 premieres on Saturday, Oct. 4 on NBC and Peacock. The season-opening slate will feature Bad Bunny and Doja Cat, with a clear emphasis on launching the new slate of cast members and testing the continued chemistry between hosts and the ensemble.

The 51st season’s schedule, as announced, includes three confirmed host-music combinations for the initial run. Bad Bunny will lead the opener, followed by Amy Poehler’s return as host in the second episode, with Role Model taking up the musical duties. Sabrina Carpenter’s appearance in Episode 3 will have her wearing dual hats as both host and musical guest. The early lineup reflects SNL’s long-running approach of rotating high-wanters who can anchor a show that balances political satire, cultural commentary, and evergreen sketches with musical performances.

NBC also highlighted flexible viewing options for audiences. Viewers can watch SNL live on NBC or via the NBC app and NBC.com with valid cable authentication. Live streams are available through several major streaming platforms, including fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV, and Sling TV, each offering varying trial periods for new subscribers. For those who prefer streaming after air, Peacock provides live and on-demand access to new episodes, with next-day availability for new installments. The multiple options underscore NBCUniversal’s cross-platform strategy, ensuring fans can catch the new episodes even if they miss the broadcast window.

The fresh season arrives after a summer of change behind the scenes. The departures of veteran cast members, paired with the addition of five newcomers, portend shifts in the show’s dynamic and comedy voice. The newcomers — Brennan, Culhane, Patterson, Slowikowska, and Marshall — bring a range of stand-up and sketch experience, aligning with SNL’s history of introducing new talent who can contribute across a variety of recurring sketches, impersonations, and character work. The show’s producers have indicated that the new cast members will join a mix of established players and guest contributors, continuing SNL’s model of evolving its ensemble while preserving the core format that has defined the program for decades.

As the season unfolds, audiences can expect the traditional mix of topical satire, celebrity impressions, and recurring sketch formats that have helped maintaining SNL’s relevance in a competitive late-night landscape. The first three episodes will test the balance between new voices and returning performers, with the host lineup signaling a combination of star power and a commitment to nurturing emerging talent. The show’s producers have historically framed the early episodes as a proving ground for the season, and the opening weeks often set the tone for how the rest of the year will unfold.

In the lead-up to Oct. 4, viewers are advised to check local listings for confirmation of air times and any schedule changes. NBC’s decision to premiere with Bad Bunny and Doja Cat, the highly anticipated return of Amy Poehler, and Sabrina Carpenter’s featured appearance suggests a target audience that spans fans of stand-up, sketch comedy, and contemporary music. The season also signals NBC’s intent to maintain a steady rhythm of high-visibility hosts while continuing to integrate new performers into the show’s well-worn machine of rehearsals, live-take humor, and post-episode recaps on digital channels.

The culture-heavy comedy program remains a bellwether for late-night entertainment, attracting millions of viewers who tune in for a weekly mix of topical humor, cultural commentary, and performances that can define a week in pop culture. As SNL enters its 51st year, the show’s ability to refresh its cast while preserving the core appeal of its sketches will be closely watched by fans and industry observers alike. The coming episodes will reveal how the newly expanded troupe aligns with the show’s iconic voice and whether the host lineup can sustain the momentum through the fall and into the holiday season.