Sat Sep 20 02:30:00 UTC 2025: ## SNL Season 51 Kicks Off with Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler, and Sabrina Carpenter Amid Late-Night TV Turmoil
**NEW YORK, NY -** “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” NBC has announced the first hosts and musical guests for the highly anticipated 51st season of Saturday Night Live, set to premiere on October 4th.
Global music sensation Bad Bunny will take the reins for the season premiere, pulling double duty as host and musical guest. This marks his second time hosting the iconic sketch show, following a musical guest appearance during the Season 50 finale.
The following week, on October 11th, beloved SNL alum Amy Poehler will return to Studio 8H as host, with indie-pop artist Role Model as the musical guest.
Rounding out the initial lineup, singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter will make her SNL hosting debut on October 18th, also serving as the musical guest. Carpenter is no stranger to the SNL stage, having previously appeared as a musical guest alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in 2024, and during the show’s 50th anniversary special.
This announcement comes amidst a turbulent landscape in late-night television. Recent controversies, including the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show on ABC and the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” on CBS, have sparked concerns about political censorship and pressure on networks from political figures. Notably, former President Donald Trump has publicly called for NBC to cancel its late-night programs, including “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” All eyes will be on SNL to see if it continues its legacy of political satire with the same intensity, particularly regarding the former Trump administration.
Season 51 also marks a period of significant cast changes. Several long-standing cast members, including Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and Michael Longfellow, have departed the show. However, creator Lorne Michaels remains optimistic, stating that change is beneficial for the show and expressing excitement about the new talent joining the ensemble.
The new additions to the cast for Season 51 include comedians Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.
SNL will return with three consecutive weeks of new episodes, starting October 4th. Stay tuned for what promises to be a dynamic and potentially groundbreaking season.
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