Saturday Night Live enlisted a slew of Hollywood A-listers to host episodes of its milestone 50th season.
Jean Smart kicked off the season in September, making her SNL debut alongside musical guest Jelly Roll.
“I can’t tell you how honored I am to be hosting the premiere episode of season 50,” the Hacks star gushed in her opening monologue. “It is truly incredible to be here. I haven’t gotten all dressed up and had hundreds of people clap for me in days.”
She added, “I remember watching the very first episode of SNL and thinking, ‘Someday, I’m going to host that show.’ And this was the first Saturday that worked with my schedule, but it’s great to be here in New York.”
Weeks later, Ariana Grande took over the emceeing duties. While she quickly impressed viewers with a variety of musical skits and an on-camera kiss with Wicked costar Bowen Yang, it was “Domingo” that stole the show.
Grande portrayed a bridesmaid in a wedding reception sketch, where she and a group of SNL cast members sang a cover of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” In this version, it was about a bride’s hookup with Domingo (Marcello Hernandez) during her bachelorette vacation.
“It exploded,” cast member Sarah Sherman said on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in late October. “When Ariana Grande did bad singing in blocking rehearsal, everyone was like, ‘Oh, this is funny.’”
The “Domingo” sketch subsequently went viral on social media, inspiring a follow-up with November host Charli XCX that reimagined Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go” at the same couple’s baby shower.
Keep scrolling to revisit every star who hosted SNL during season 50:
Jean Smart: Episode 1
In addition to making Us laugh in every sketch, Smart also enlisted her Hacks costar Hannah Einbinder for a surprise cameo on September 28. Together, Smart and Einbinder announced Jelly Roll’s second musical performance.
Nate Bargatze: Episode 2
The comedian hosted SNL on October 5 with musical guest Coldplay, where he even starred in a sequel to his 2023 sketch “Washington’s Dream.” (Bargatze previously hosted SNL in October 2023 as part of season 49.)
Ariana Grande: Episode 3
Grande was joined by musical guest Stevie Nicks.
“Before I start, I just want to make one thing clear tonight: I am just hosting,” Grande said in her monologue. “I’m not going to make this about me. I’m just going to have fun, take it easy and I’m just gonna keep it low-key.”
Michael Keaton: Episode 4
Keaton hosted for the fourth time on October 19 as Billie Eilish served as the musical guest.
“You know, when the show first premiered in 1975, I was working on a very different show in Pittsburgh,” Keaton said in his monologue. “I was a P.A. on Mister Roger’s Neighborhood at WQED and in the ‘70s, actually, SNL and Mister Roger’s had a lot more similarities than you’d think. A lot of puppets, tons of cocaine [and] anyway, Fred was a great guy. He’s everything you thought he was.”
Bill Burr: Episode 5
Burr hosted the show on November 9 alongside musical guest Mk.gee.
John Mulaney: Episode 6
In Mulaney’s November 12 monologue, he gushed about life with then-6-month-old daughter Méi and wife Olivia Munn. Later in the episode, he reunited with friend (and former cast member) Pete Davidson for a musical sketch about the perils of NYC’s Port Authority bus station.
Charli XCX: Episode 7
Charli pulled double duty on November 16, serving as host and musical guest. Her pièce de résistance included a follow-up to Grande’s “Domingo” but set to “Hot to Go.” Fans were particularly enthused that “Hot to Go” features the same amount of letters as “Domingo,” making the spelling section of the song work perfectly.
Paul Mescal: Episode 8
Mescal paid homage to his movie Gladiator II with an SNL spoof on the December 7 episode, in which he sang in a fictitious musical trailer. He also rode on a broomstick like Cynthia Erivo in Wicked. (Gladiator II and Wicked hit theaters on the same day in late November.)
Chris Rock: Episode 9
Rock, an SNL vet, returned to host the show on December 14. In a “Gallbladder Surgery” sketch, he reunited with Adam Sandler and they couldn’t stop laughing as Sandler sprayed Rock and the cast with fake blood.
Martin Short: Episode 10
The former cast member returns to host the holiday show on December 21 alongside musical guest Hozier.
Dave Chappelle: Episode 11
The comedian returned for the fourth time alongside performer GloRilla.
Timothée Chalamet: Episode 12
Timothée Chalamet. Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
Not only is Chalamet a host in season 50 but a performer as well.
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