Saturday Night Live’s 51st season kicked off on October 4, 2025, with musician Bad Bunny as the host and Doja Cat as the musical guest.[1][2][5]
Cold Open and Political Satire
- The cold open featured Colin Jost as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, lampooning Hegseth’s recent military speech with a pointed reference to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- President Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, made a surprise appearance warning SNL to behave. He joked that bruises on his hands were from aspirin and handshakes, not fights, continuing Johnson’s acclaimed Trump impersonation.[4][7]
Bad Bunny’s Hosting and Super Bowl Remarks
- This marked Bad Bunny’s second time hosting SNL. He opened with a monologue that included an inspiring message about his upcoming 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.
- Bad Bunny expressed pride in representing Latinos in the U.S., calling the Super Bowl opportunity an achievement for the community.
- He also mentioned avoiding U.S. concerts to prevent immigration issues, highlighting real-world challenges beyond entertainment.[7][1]
Sketch Highlights and Cast Notes
- Standout sketches included a “Jeopardy” parody featuring Bad Bunny’s comedic talents.
- Several cameos were notable, including Jon Hamm, who appeared in a sketch as an admirer of Bad Bunny.
- The season premiered with five new featured cast members: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska, and Ben Marshall, alongside returning repertory players.[2][5][4]
Weekend Update Segment and Government Shutdown
- Colin Jost and Michael Che hosted the “Weekend Update” segment.
- They addressed the ongoing government shutdown, mocking delays attributed by the White House to Democrats.
- The segment also took jabs at NYC Mayor Eric Adams, reflecting current political tensions.[11][1][2]
How to Watch Season 51
- New episodes air live on NBC Saturdays at 11:30 pm ET.
- Episodes are available the next day on Peacock streaming service.
- Season 51 continues with multiple hosts and musical guests scheduled throughout the 2025–26 television season.[12][13][14]
