In its 51st season, “SNL” returns with a mixture of new and familiar faces, featuring music superstar Bad Bunny as the first host.
Bad Bunny Kicks Off Season 51
Bad Bunny will host the opening episode of the new season after a significant week, including a residency in Puerto Rico and an announcement as the Super Bowl halftime show headliner.
He expressed concerns over U.S. Immigration policies that might affect immigrant safety during his shows. This has led to criticism from conservative supporters of President Trump regarding his halftime show selection.
New Faces Join the Cast
This season introduces five new featured players while several notable cast members, including Ego Nwodim and Devon Walker, have departed. Ben Marshall moves from writing to performing.
Other newcomers include Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. Nwodim and Walker confirmed their exits on social media, with unconfirmed reports about Heidi Gardner’s departure.
Celebrity Hosts for Upcoming Episodes
In addition to Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler and Sabrina Carpenter will host episodes in the coming weeks, with Carpenter performing as the musical guest.
Poehler’s episode will air exactly 50 years after the show’s first episode. The last season saw “SNL” win 12 Emmys, with a speech from Lorne Michaels highlighting the show’s long history.
