Is SNL New Tonight (September 26, 2026)? Host, Musical Guest, Episode Details
"Saturday Night Live" is back and is leaping forward with Season 52! The show ended its previous season back in May, with Will Ferrell at the helm for his sixth hosting gig.
With two new cast members joining the series and a first-time host stepping up to the plate (or in this case, the court), Season 52 seems to be geared up for an emphatic start. Keep reading to get the full rundown on the newest episode and season premiere!
Is there a new episode of SNL tonight?
Yep, "Saturday Night Live" Season 52 is making its debut tonight! The show is returning with some pretty notable cast shake-ups. Bowen Yang left the series midseason last year. Chloe Fineman and Martin Herlihy also exited the show prior to the Season 52 premiere.
Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline have been promoted to repertory players. Naturally, a new season also means new cast members. Joining the "SNL" ranks as featured players are NYC-based comedian Saidah Belo-Osagie and "The Chair Company" star Grace Reiter. Now for who gets the honor of being this season's first host...
Who is hosting SNL tonight?
NBA champion and forever New York legend Jalen Brunson will help kick off (sorry, tip off) "SNL" Season 52. It will be his first time hosting but here's hoping his debut is nothing but a slam dunk! Last-minute prediction: get ready to see the cast portray hardcore basketball fans who keep interrupting Brunson's monologue with awkward, unbridled praise and cringe-inducing questions.
Who is the musical guest on SNL tonight?
Also making their "SNL" debut alongside Brunson and serving as tonight's musical guest is the LA-based band KATSEYE. Tonight's episode will be the group's first appearance on the show. Viewers can expect to see KATSEYE stars Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, and Yoonchae Jeung perform together tonight, as the band's remaining two members Manon Bannerman and Sophia Laforteza are currently on hiatus.
Who is the SNL host and musical guest next week?
After Jalen Brunson racks up his first "SNL" hosting gig, Dakota Johnson is coming for her third. The actress will host the October 3 episode, a day after her film "Verity" (based off the Colleen Hoover novel) releases. The episode will also feature American rock band Turnstile as the musical guest, marking the group's first "SNL" appearance.
What time does SNL start?
It's safe to say that "SNL" operates like clockwork. The series has been doing this since 1975 after all! This means, on Saturday nights, every new episode routinely airs live at 11:30 p.m. ET. That's 10:30 p.m. CT and 8:30 p.m. PT.
For viewers who miss new episodes as they first air, no need to worry. "SNL" makes it very easy to catch up with.
Where can I watch SNL?
"SNL" is broadcast live on NBC. Simultaneously, new episodes are also available to stream live on Peacock. The show makes it a habit to air sketches on YouTube not long after they first air. For fans who miss an episode entirely, don't fret. Episodes are uploaded in full on Peacock early Sunday mornings.