Saturday Night Live, the venerable late-night comedy institution, rang out 2025 with a mixture of nostalgia and anticipation as it bid farewell to one of its standout stars, Bowen Yang, and braced for a new chapter in 2026. The end-of-year episode on December 20, hosted by pop sensation Ariana Grande and featuring the legendary Cher as musical guest, was a fittingly star-studded sendoff for Yang, who had become a fan favorite during his tenure on the show. According to coverage by multiple outlets, Yang’s swan song included a heartfelt performance of "Please Come Home for Christmas" alongside Grande and Cher during his final sketch, the much-loved "Delta Lounge."
Bowen Yang’s journey with SNL began in 2018 when he joined as a writer. His sharp comedic sensibility and vibrant presence soon propelled him to featured player status in 2019, and by 2021, he had earned a spot as a main cast member. Over the years, Yang’s unique voice and memorable characters brought fresh energy to the show, making his departure particularly poignant for viewers and colleagues alike.
But SNL is no stranger to change. As the show turns the page to 2026, it does so after a banner year. Last season marked the series’ 50th anniversary—a milestone celebrated with what was described as the "biggest party ever," featuring a parade of stars, epic musical performances, and reminders of why the show remains a fixture of American pop culture. Season 51, which kicked off on October 4, 2025, with Bad Bunny as host and Doja Cat as musical guest, quickly established itself as a season of transition and renewal.
Throughout Season 51, a flurry of high-profile hosts and musical guests graced Studio 8H. Amy Poehler, a beloved former cast member, returned to host on October 11, joined by musical guest Role Model and a surprise appearance from Tina Fey. Sabrina Carpenter pulled double duty as both host and musical guest on October 18, marking her hosting debut. The November 1 episode saw actor Miles Teller take the helm for his second time, with Brandi Carlile returning as musical guest for her fourth appearance. That episode, which is being re-aired on January 3, 2026, featured memorable sketches such as "White House Makeover," "Missing Wives Documentary," "Newsroom," and "Murder Press Briefing," and included Carlile performing two tracks from her 2025 album Returning to Myself.
Other notable moments from the season included Nikki Glaser’s hosting debut alongside musical guest Sombr on November 8, Glen Powell’s first appearance as host with Olivia Dean on November 15, and a triumphant return by Melissa McCarthy on December 6, her sixth time hosting, with Dijon as musical guest. December 13 brought actor Josh O’Conner’s debut, joined by Lily Allen, who hadn’t performed on SNL since 2007.
The December 20 episode, though, was especially significant. Not only did it mark the last show of 2025, but it also served as Bowen Yang’s final bow. As reported by multiple sources, the episode’s emotional high point came during the "Delta Lounge" sketch, with Yang, Grande, and Cher sharing the stage for a moving rendition of "Please Come Home for Christmas." For many fans, it was a bittersweet moment—an end of an era, but also a reminder of SNL’s enduring ability to evolve.
As the calendar flipped to 2026, the show entered its third break of the season. For those tuning in on January 3, there was no new episode—instead, NBC aired a repeat of the November 1, 2025, Miles Teller/Brandi Carlile episode. SNL will resume with new episodes on January 17, 2026, when Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard makes his hosting debut, with rapper A$AP Rocky as musical guest. According to NBC and other outlets, this will be Wolfhard’s first time hosting SNL, though he’s no stranger to the spotlight, having starred in the hit Netflix series and in the It film adaptations. A$AP Rocky, meanwhile, is set for his second SNL appearance, having previously made a sketch cameo in 2018. His musical guest slot comes hot on the heels of his new album Don’t Be Dumb and the recent arrival of his third child with Rihanna in September 2025.
Season 51 has also seen significant changes in the cast lineup. Alongside Bowen Yang, several other cast members departed, including Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim. The writing staff also saw some exits, with Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker among those moving on. To fill the void, SNL welcomed five new featured players: Ben Marshall, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. These fresh faces joined returning veterans like Kenan Thompson, Chloe Fineman, Mikey Day, and the enduring "Weekend Update" duo of Colin Jost and Michael Che. Jost, notably, continues his record-setting run as the longest-serving anchor in the segment’s history.
For those eager to catch up or relive classic moments, SNL remains highly accessible. All 51 seasons are available for streaming on Peacock, NBC’s digital platform, with new episodes posted on demand the day after airing. The upcoming Finn Wolfhard episode will be available on Peacock starting January 18, 2026. Viewers can also watch SNL live on NBC, through the NBC app, or via major streaming services like fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV, and Sling TV—many of which offer free trials for new subscribers. However, while Hulu + Live TV carries the live show, SNL is not available for next-day streaming on standard Hulu.
As always, SNL airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. Eastern on NBC. For viewers wondering about their local NBC channel, resources are available through providers like Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV, and Dish. The show’s enduring popularity means that, no matter how the cast and crew may change, its spot in the late-night landscape remains secure.
Looking ahead, the anticipation is palpable. With a fresh cast, the return of high-profile hosts and musical guests, and the promise of new comedic directions, SNL’s 2026 season is shaping up to be one to watch. And if the past is any indication, the show will continue to surprise, delight, and provoke conversation—just as it has for more than half a century.
