SNL Season 51: The Ultimate Guide To The Current Schedule, Cast Shakeups, And Final 2025 Hosts

The new season of Saturday Night Live (SNL) is officially underway! As of today, December 12, 2025, the show is deep into its historic 51st season, which premiered on Saturday, October 4, 2025, on NBC and Peacock. After celebrating its milestone 50th season, the long-running sketch comedy series has returned to Studio 8H with a mix of veteran talent, exciting new blood, and a lineup of blockbuster hosts and musical guests, particularly as it heads toward the highly anticipated holiday break.

For fans asking "When is the new SNL season?" the answer is now, and the schedule for the final episodes of 2025 is locked in, featuring some major names in film and music. The current Season 51 has already seen some incredible moments, but the show is saving some of the biggest names for its final run of episodes before the new year.

The SNL Season 51 Host and Musical Guest Lineup (Current Schedule)

The 51st season of Saturday Night Live kicked off with a bang and has maintained its momentum with a dynamic mix of first-time hosts and returning favorites. The show airs live coast-to-coast on NBC and streams simultaneously on Peacock every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT.

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Here is a detailed look at the most recent and upcoming schedule for the final episodes of 2025, confirming who is hosting and performing on the iconic stage:

• October 4, 2025 (Premiere): Host Bad Bunny, with Musical Guest Doja Cat.
• October 11, 2025: Host Amy Poehler, with Musical Guest Role.
• December 6, 2025: Host Melissa McCarthy, with Musical Guest Dijon.
• December 13, 2025: Host Josh O'Connor, with Musical Guest Lily Allen.
• December 20, 2025 (Final Episode of 2025): Host Ariana Grande.

The announcement of the final 2025 episodes has generated significant buzz, especially the December 20 show. Ariana Grande, a pop superstar and actress known for her role in the upcoming Wicked films, is set to close out the year, marking a major highlight for the season. Meanwhile, British actor Josh O'Connor, known for his work on The Crown and Challengers, will make his hosting debut on December 13, alongside musical guest Lily Allen.

The Big Season 51 Cast Shakeup: Who’s In and Who’s Out

A new season of Saturday Night Live inevitably brings changes to the ensemble cast, and Season 51 is no exception. Executive Producer Lorne Michaels continues his tradition of refreshing the roster to bring in new comedic voices and allow veteran performers to move on to other projects.

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This season saw a significant shakeup, with several fan-favorite cast members departing and a handful of talented comedians joining the ranks as featured players. The shift ensures that the show remains topical and injected with fresh energy.

Departing Cast Members

Three prominent cast members will not be returning for the 51st season. Their departures free up spots for the new featured players and mark the end of their tenures at Studio 8H:

• Heidi Gardner
• Devon Walker
• Michael Longfellow

Gardner, in particular, was a veteran known for her strong character work and was a major presence on the show. Their absence will certainly be felt, but the returning repertory players like Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, Ego Nwodim, and Kenan Thompson continue to anchor the show.

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New Featured Players

The new class of featured players for SNL Season 51 brings a diverse set of backgrounds from stand-up, sketch comedy, and viral success. These five comedians are the future of the show, and audiences are eager to see their characters develop:

• Tommy Brennan (Stand-up comic)
• Jeremy Culhane (Upright Citizens Brigade performer)
• Ben Marshall (From the comedy group Please Don’t Destroy)
• Kam Patterson (Viral TikTok star)
• Veronika Slowikowska

The addition of Kam Patterson, a comedian who gained massive traction on TikTok, underscores SNL’s ongoing effort to recruit talent from all corners of the modern comedy landscape. The new featured players will be looking to make their mark on "Weekend Update" and in recurring sketches throughout the season.

Where to Watch the Current and New SNL Episodes

Watching Saturday Night Live has never been easier, with multiple options available for live viewing and streaming the next day. The show’s broadcast and streaming strategy ensures that fans can catch every new episode, regardless of their viewing preferences.

The primary viewing options for Season 51 are:

• Live Broadcast: NBC (Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET/10:30 p.m. CT/8:30 p.m. PT).
• Simultaneous Streaming: Peacock (Available to stream live at 11:30 p.m. ET).
• On-Demand Streaming: All new episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock.

The Peacock streaming service is the official home for all SNL content, offering not only the current season but also an extensive library of past seasons, making it a valuable resource for comedy historians and casual viewers alike.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect in the New Year

While the focus is currently on the stellar lineup closing out 2025, fans are already speculating about the show's return in 2026. Typically, Saturday Night Live takes a break after the December holiday episode and returns with new episodes sometime in mid-to-late January. The January return is often marked by a host who has a new major film or project releasing, setting the tone for the second half of the season.

With the 51st season fully in swing, the new cast members are beginning to find their footing, and the show's political satire remains sharp as ever, particularly with the ever-present drama in Washington. The show's ability to attract A-list talent, including rumored future hosts like Glen Powell and Nikki Glaser, suggests that the second half of Season 51 will be just as star-studded and must-see.

In summary, the new SNL season is here, bringing fresh comedy, new faces, and a lineup of hosts that will keep viewers entertained through the end of the year. Tune in every Saturday to see what the legendary show has in store next.