Is SNL New Tonight? The Shocking Reason December 20th Will Be A Historic Night

The question "Is SNL new tonight?" is a common one for comedy fans, and for Thursday, December 18, 2025, the answer is no—there is no new episode of Saturday Night Live airing this evening. However, the wait for fresh content is almost over, as the next new episode is scheduled for this Saturday, December 20, 2025, and it is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about episodes of Season 51. This is not a night to miss, as the show is closing out the year with a holiday spectacular featuring two of the biggest names in entertainment, promising a mix of classic comedy and a truly historic musical performance.

The upcoming show on December 20th is the final episode of 2025 before the holiday break, and it features a powerhouse duo: pop superstar and actor Ariana Grande as the host, paired with the legendary icon Cher as the musical guest. This massive, two-icon pairing has generated significant buzz, not just for the star power, but because of a monumental milestone for the show's musical history. Fans of Saturday Night Live and pop culture enthusiasts alike should mark their calendars for this final, fresh installment from Studio 8H.

The Star-Powered Lineup: Host Ariana Grande and Musical Guest Cher

The final new episode of 2025, airing on Saturday, December 20th, features a cross-generational collaboration that has captured the attention of critics and fans. The combination of a modern pop titan and a timeless global icon is a strategic move that guarantees high viewership and viral sketches.

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Ariana Grande: Host, Singer, and Impressionist Extraordinaire

Ariana Grande-Butera returns to the Saturday Night Live stage, this time for her third appearance, but her first time pulling double duty as both host and musical guest was back in 2016. Her return is perfectly timed as she is currently starring in the highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway musical, Wicked: For Good. Grande is known not only for her incredible vocal range and chart-topping hits like "thank u, next" and "7 rings," but also for her surprisingly sharp comedic timing and uncanny celebrity impressions.

• Full Name: Ariana Grande-Butera
• Born: June 26, 1993, Boca Raton, Florida
• Career Highlights: Multi-platinum recording artist, Grammy Award winner, Broadway debut in 13 (2008), star of Nickelodeon's Victorious and Sam & Cat, and the upcoming film Wicked: For Good.
• SNL History: This marks her third appearance on the show.
• Anticipated Sketches: Given her background, viewers can expect sketches that utilize her singing talent, her ability to do spot-on impressions (especially of fellow singers), and perhaps a tie-in to her Wicked role.

Cher: The Historic Return After Nearly 40 Years

The biggest news surrounding the December 20th episode is the musical guest: the one and only Cher. This appearance is monumental, as it marks her first time as the musical guest on SNL since 1987—a gap of almost 40 years. Cher, an Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner, is one of the few artists to achieve high-level success in music, film, and television, making her a true show business legend.

• Full Name: Cherilyn Sarkisian
• Born: May 20, 1946, El Centro, California
• Career Highlights: Known as the "Goddess of Pop," she is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She is one of the few EGOT-adjacent artists, having won an Oscar (for Moonstruck), a Grammy, an Emmy, and three Golden Globes.
• SNL History: Her last musical guest appearance was in 1987, making this comeback a major television event.
• Anticipated Performance: Fans are hoping for a performance of one of her recent hits or a medley of her iconic classics like "Believe," "If I Could Turn Back Time," or "I Got You Babe."

Why the Ariana Grande and Cher Pairing is a Must-Watch

The decision to pair these two generational talents—the pop star of the 2020s with the icon who has dominated for six decades—is generating a massive amount of curiosity and excitement. The episode is being viewed as a symbolic passing of the torch and a celebration of pop culture royalty.

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The connection between the two goes deeper than just their shared status as global music superstars. Both Ariana Grande and Cher are celebrated LGBTQ+ icons who have vocally supported the community throughout their careers. This shared status as cultural figures adds a layer of warmth and strategic brilliance to the booking, suggesting the potential for a truly memorable moment, perhaps even an unexpected collaboration or cameo during the show.

The episode, which is the eighth of Season 51, is the final chance for the current cast members to shine before the year ends. Viewers can expect to see beloved repertory players like Kenan Thompson, Bowen Yang, Chloe Fineman, and Marcello Hernandez, alongside Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che, trying to keep up with the combined star power of the host and musical guest.

SNL Season 51: Key Takeaways and Upcoming Schedule

Season 51 of Saturday Night Live has been a strong run, with a mix of returning veterans and five new cast members, including Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska, injecting fresh energy into the show. The season premiered on October 4, 2025, with host Bad Bunny and musical guest Doja Cat, setting a high bar for star-studded lineups.

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While there is no new episode tonight, December 18th, the show is always live from New York’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza, airing coast-to-coast on NBC at 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time when a new episode is scheduled. The December 20th episode is the last new show before the annual holiday hiatus.

The next confirmed new episode after the break is scheduled for January 2026, with the show typically returning sometime in mid-to-late January. Fans should keep an eye on official NBC and SNL social media channels for the announcement of the first host and musical guest of the new year. Until then, the December 20th show is a massive holiday gift that will keep fans talking well into the new year.

Entities and Keywords for Topical Authority (LSI)

• Studio 8H
• 30 Rockefeller Plaza
• SNL Season 51
• Wicked: For Good
• Five Timers Club (Melissa McCarthy)
• Weekend Update
• Kenan Thompson
• Bowen Yang
• Chloe Fineman
• Marcello Hernandez
• Colin Jost
• Michael Che
• LGBTQ+ Icons
• Pop Culture Royalty
• Holiday Hiatus
• Live Coast-to-Coast

In summary, while you won't get a new episode of Saturday Night Live tonight, December 18, 2025, the upcoming show on December 20th is a historic, must-see event. The combination of Ariana Grande's comedic talent and Cher's nearly 40-year musical guest return makes this the one episode of Season 51 that no fan of comedy or music should miss.