As summer continues, fans of NBC’s iconic sketch comedy show are asking a familiar question: Is Saturday Night Live new tonight? The answer is no. The cast and crew of Studio 8H are on their annual summer hiatus following the conclusion of their landmark 50th season.
New episodes of SNL are set to return for Season 51 on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at its traditional time slot of 11:30 p.m. ET. As with recent seasons, the show will air live coast-to-coast on NBC and will be available for streaming on Peacock.
While fans await the new season, NBC will continue to air repeat episodes. On Saturday, August 16, 2025, viewers can catch an encore presentation of the December 21, 2024, episode from Season 50. The episode was hosted by comedy legend and former cast member Martin Short, with Irish singer-songwriter Hozier as the musical guest. A highlight of the show was its star-studded cold open, which saw Short officially welcomed into the prestigious “Five-Timers Club” by fellow members Tom Hanks, Emma Stone, Paul Rudd, Tina Fey, and Scarlett Johansson, among others.
The break comes after a critically acclaimed and celebratory 50th season, which has garnered significant awards recognition. The show recently received an impressive 30 Primetime Emmy nominations for 2025, encompassing both its regular season and its widely praised 50th-anniversary specials. These nominations reinforce SNL‘s status as the most Emmy-nominated show in television history, now with a total of 338 nominations and 90 wins over its five decades on the air.
Among the 2025 nominations, the show is a contender for Outstanding Scripted Variety Series. Cast member Bowen Yang also received an acting nomination for his versatile performances throughout the season. A special nod went to Adam Sandler for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for his heartfelt and humorous song “50 Years,” which he performed during the SNL50: The Anniversary Special. The anniversary programming was also recognized in numerous other categories, including writing, directing, and various technical fields.
Season 50 concluded on May 17, 2025, with a finale hosted by Scarlett Johansson, marking her seventh time hosting, and featuring musical guest Bad Bunny. The season featured a mix of first-time hosts like Jean Smart and Paul Mescal, alongside returning favorites such as Nate Bargatze, John Mulaney, and Lady Gaga.
Looking ahead to Season 51, some cast changes are anticipated, though no official announcements have been made. Longest-serving cast member Kenan Thompson has hinted at potential shifts for the upcoming season. Season 50 began with some adjustments, including the departures of Punkie Johnson, Molly Kearney, and Chloe Troast, and the introduction of new featured players Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline. The hosts and musical guests for the October premiere will be announced closer to the date.
For fans eager to experience the show live, the annual ticket lottery for a chance to be in the Studio 8H audience for Season 51 is open for entries through the end of August. In the meantime, all previous seasons of Saturday Night Live, including the recent anniversary specials, are available to stream on Peacock.
