“Saturday Night Live” is gearing up for its 51st season and revealed its first round of hosts and musical guests. The new season debuts Oct. 4 with some familiar faces and a few exciting firsts.
Bad Bunny Opens the Season
Latin music superstar Bad Bunny will return to Studio 8H to host the season premiere on Oct. 4. It will be his second time taking the reins as host. Doja Cat, meanwhile, will make her debut as musical guest. Her appearance comes amid a chart-topping year, and it marks her first time performing on the iconic late-night stage.
Amy Poehler’s Homecoming
On Oct. 11, Amy Poehler returns to her old stomping grounds to host for the third time. The “SNL” alum and “Good Hang” podcast host remains one of the show’s most celebrated cast members, and this latest turn edges her closer to the exclusive “five-timers club.”
Joining Poehler is Role Model, the pop act who scored a viral hit this summer with “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” The gig marks his debut on the “SNL” stage.
Sabrina Carpenter Does Double Duty
Pop favorite Sabrina Carpenter will headline the Oct. 18 episode, serving as both host and musical guest. It will be her first time as host and her second time performing. Carpenter has been riding a wave of success, with viral singles and sold-out shows, making her one of the season’s buzziest guests.
A Season of Change
Season 51 follows a major shift in the cast. Veterans Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner recently ended their runs, alongside newer players Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow and Emil Wakim. Writer Celeste Yim, who joined in 2019, also stepped away.
To fill the void, the show has recruited four new performers: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska. Fans of “Please Don’t Destroy” will also recognize Ben Marshall, who has officially joined the cast after years of appearing in the group’s sketches.
Marking a Milestone
The timing of this season is noteworthy. Poehler’s Oct. 11 episode lands exactly 50 years after “SNL” first premiered in 1975. While the lineup of hosts and guests is a nod to both legacy and rising stars, the milestone highlights the show’s staying power as it enters a new era.
