SNL Time Tonight: How To Watch The Josh O'Connor & Lily Allen Episode On December 13, 2025

The question on every comedy fan's mind this week is simple: What time does Saturday Night Live air tonight, December 13, 2025? The legendary late-night sketch comedy show is back with a brand-new episode, continuing its historic 51st season. For viewers across the United States, the official, coast-to-coast live broadcast of SNL begins at its traditional time: 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). This is a crucial detail for anyone planning their Saturday night, whether you are tuning in on NBC or streaming live on Peacock.

The December 13, 2025, episode of Saturday Night Live is one of the most anticipated of the season, featuring a first-time host and a multi-talented musical guest. The show’s consistent 11:30 p.m. ET start time translates to 10:30 p.m. Central Time (CT), 9:30 p.m. Mountain Time (MT), and 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time (PT). This live coast-to-coast schedule, a staple of the show since 2017, ensures that no matter where you live, you can experience the live comedy and political satire as it happens, without waiting for a tape delay.

The Essential Guide to Tonight's SNL Episode: December 13, 2025

To ensure you don't miss a single sketch, monologue, or note of the music, here is the complete breakdown of tonight’s brand-new episode, which is the eighth installment of Season 51.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

Josh O'Connor and Lily Allen: Tonight's Guests

• Host: Josh O'Connor
• Musical Guest: Lily Allen
• Air Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
• Start Time (ET): 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Start Time (PT): 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time
• Network: NBC (Live)
• Streaming: Peacock (Live and On-Demand)
• Episode Length: Approximately 90 minutes (ending around 1:00 a.m. ET)

Josh O'Connor is a celebrated actor known for his compelling dramatic roles, most notably as Prince Charles in the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Crown. His presence on the iconic Studio 8H stage marks a significant shift from his usual dramatic fare, promising an evening of unexpected and delightful comedic turns. Fans are eager to see how his royal gravitas translates into the world of live sketch comedy, a challenge that often brings out the best in first-time hosts.

Joining O'Connor is the dynamic British singer-songwriter Lily Allen. Allen’s return to the musical stage has been highly anticipated by fans of her witty, socially aware pop music. Her performance will punctuate the night’s sketches, bringing a fresh musical energy to the SNL stage. The combination of a respected dramatic actor and a sharp musical artist is a classic SNL pairing, setting the stage for a memorable night of comedy.

Why the Start Time is Crucial: ET vs. PT and Potential Delays

While the standard start time for Saturday Night Live is universally 11:30 p.m. ET, understanding the nuances of the broadcast schedule is essential for the dedicated viewer. The show is unique in that it airs live across all four continental U.S. time zones simultaneously. This means that West Coast viewers get a prime-time slot at 8:30 p.m. PT, while East Coast viewers are truly tuning into late-night programming.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

The 11:30 p.m. ET start is the official time, but there is a common phenomenon known as "The SNL Bump" or "The Late Start."

The "SNL Bump" Explained

• NBC Sports Overrun: The most common reason for a delayed start is an overrun from live sports programming, particularly college football games or NFL pre-game shows that air on NBC earlier in the evening. If a game runs long, SNL will simply start immediately after, pushing the actual start time back by a few minutes, sometimes as late as 11:40 p.m. ET.
• The 11:29:30 Phenomenon: Historically, the show has been known to begin precisely at 11:29:30 p.m. ET, a quirk of the network's scheduling to maximize commercial breaks. While the official time is 11:30, tuning in slightly early is always a good idea to catch the "Live from New York!" opening line.
• West Coast Advantage: For those in the Pacific Time Zone, the 8:30 p.m. PT start is far less likely to be impacted by late-running East Coast programming, offering a more reliable viewing window.

To avoid missing the cold open, it is highly recommended to tune into the NBC affiliate or the Peacock stream by 11:25 p.m. ET. This small buffer ensures you are settled in before the iconic theme song begins.

How to Watch SNL Live Tonight: NBC and Peacock Streaming

The ways to watch Saturday Night Live have expanded significantly in recent years, giving viewers multiple options to catch the live broadcast or stream it on-demand. The show's commitment to a live, coast-to-coast broadcast makes it one of the few programs where a live viewing experience is still the gold standard.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

NBC Broadcast

The simplest and most traditional method is watching on your local NBC television affiliate. Check your local listings to confirm the channel number. This method is free and available to anyone with a standard cable subscription or an over-the-air antenna.

Peacock Streaming Service

For the modern viewer, Peacock is the definitive home for SNL. All new episodes of Season 51 are streamed live on the platform at the same time they air on NBC. This is a massive advantage for cord-cutters or those who prefer to watch on a smart TV, tablet, or mobile device. Furthermore, the entire Saturday Night Live archive, including decades of classic sketches, is available for on-demand streaming on Peacock.

• Live Viewing: Available with a Peacock Premium subscription, starting at 11:30 p.m. ET.
• On-Demand: Episodes are typically available to stream on-demand the following morning, making it easy to catch up if you can't stay up late.

Key Cast Members to Watch in Season 51

Tonight’s episode will feature the talented repertory players and featured players of the current Season 51 cast, who are responsible for the impersonations and original characters that define the show. Keep an eye out for these key performers who are shaping the current comedic landscape:

• Veteran Performers: Colin Jost and Michael Che (anchoring the crucial "Weekend Update" segment), Bowen Yang, Chloe Fineman, and Mikey Day.
• Breakout Stars: James Austin Johnson (known for his political impressions), Marcello Hernández, and Andrew Dismukes.
• New Featured Players: The newest additions like Ben Marshall, Tommy Brennan, and Kam Patterson are constantly breaking new ground and are essential to the show's fresh feel.

Looking Ahead: The Rest of the December 2025 Schedule

The December run of episodes is traditionally the strongest of the calendar year, leading up to the holiday break. Following tonight's show with Josh O'Connor and Lily Allen, the Season 51 schedule will conclude the year with another highly anticipated episode.

• Next Week's Episode (Season Finale): The final episode of 2025 is scheduled for the following Saturday, December 20, 2025. While the official host and musical guest are subject to change, current reports indicate that pop superstar Ariana Grande is slated to host and perform, a rare and exciting double-duty role that promises massive ratings and viral sketches.
• Show Hiatus: After the December 20th episode, SNL will take its traditional winter break, with new episodes typically resuming in mid-to-late January 2026.

In summary, if you are asking "what time is SNL on tonight," the answer is a firm 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, December 13, 2025, on NBC and Peacock. Set your alarms, prepare your snacks, and get ready for a night of live comedy featuring Josh O'Connor and Lily Allen.