Saturday Night Live is taking a strategic, post-Thanksgiving breather, but fans shouldn’t despair. The temporary rerun period is a prelude to an electrifying December comeback, featuring beloved hosts like Melissa McCarthy and Ariana Grande, alongside a highly anticipated debut from Josh O’Connor and a legendary return by Cher. This break is setting the stage for one of Season 51’s most star-studded stretches.
After a monumental celebration marking its 50th anniversary, Saturday Night Live is on a brief hiatus, airing reruns to give its cast and crew a much-deserved break before diving into a packed December schedule. Tonight’s broadcast, November 30, 2025, will revisit one of the season’s most memorable episodes, setting the tone for the exciting weeks ahead.
The rerun airing tonight is the October 11 installment, a particularly special episode that coincided with the true 50th anniversary of SNL’s debut in 1975. It featured the triumphant return of fan-favorite alumna Amy Poehler as host, accompanied by musical guest Role Model. This commemorative episode highlighted SNL’s enduring legacy, a detail reported by Entertainment Weekly.
A highlight of Poehler‘s hosting gig was a star-studded “Weekend Update” segment. She was joined by her former co-anchors, Tina Fey and Seth Meyers, for a hilarious “joke-off” against current co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che. This multi-generational reunion underscored the show’s rich history and provided a nostalgic treat for long-time viewers, as covered by Entertainment Weekly.
December’s Electrifying Lineup: Returns, Debuts, and Legends
The wait for new content won’t be long. SNL is slated to return with its first of three new episodes on Saturday, December 6, promising a strong finish to the year. Here’s a breakdown of the highly anticipated upcoming schedule:
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December 6: Melissa McCarthy & Dijon
The acclaimed actress Melissa McCarthy makes her sixth appearance as host, a significant milestone for any performer. What makes this return particularly intriguing is that McCarthy is hosting without a specific project to promote, a rare occurrence that speaks to her popularity and comedic prowess, as noted by Entertainment Weekly. Her upcoming series about the murder of JonBenét Ramsey does not yet have a release date. McCarthy has a history of Emmy-winning performances on the show, including for her 2017 hosting stint and her memorable portrayal of White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. She will be joined by musical guest Dijon. -
December 13: Josh O’Connor & Lily Allen
Making his highly anticipated SNL debut as host is Josh O’Connor, known for his role in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. This marks a new face gracing the iconic Studio 8H stage. Performing as the musical guest will be Lily Allen, who will showcase songs from her recently released album, West End Girl, which is described as a David Harbour divorce album, a detail highlighted by Entertainment Weekly. -
December 20: Ariana Grande & Cher
The final new episode of 2025 will feature global superstar Ariana Grande as host for her third time. Grande has previously pulled double duty as both host and musical guest. Sharing the stage will be the legendary Cher, returning as a musical guest for the first time since her 1987 debut at Studio 8H. While she performed at the SNL50: The Homecoming Concert, this marks her much-awaited return to the musical stage on the show, an event fans have long anticipated, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Will Heath/NBC
Seth Meyers, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Colin Jost, and Michael Che during ‘Weekend Update’ on ‘Saturday Night Live’ on Oct. 11, 2025
Season 51 So Far: Fresh Faces and Notable Performances
Season 51 of Saturday Night Live kicked off on October 4 with a high-energy episode hosted by Bad Bunny, featuring musical guest Doja Cat. The season has since seen a diverse range of talent grace the stage, including Sabrina Carpenter pulling double duty as host and musical guest, Miles Teller with Brandi Carlile, Nikki Glaser alongside Sombr, and Glen Powell with Olivia Dean.
The current season also brought significant changes to the cast roster. Viewers bid farewell to five notable cast members: Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim. To fill these comedic shoes, SNL welcomed five new featured players: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. These changes signal an evolving dynamic for the beloved sketch comedy series as new talent steps into the spotlight.
Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin help induct Melissa McCarthy into the ‘SNL’ Five-Timers Club on May 13, 2017
Why This Matters for Fans
The decision to air reruns after a significant milestone like the 50th-anniversary episode is a smart move, allowing the show to recharge and build anticipation. For dedicated fans, this brief pause creates a hunger for the fresh, high-caliber content promised in December. The return of Melissa McCarthy, a known comedic powerhouse, is a major draw, especially without a specific promotional tie-in, hinting at sketches crafted purely for her unique talent. The debut of Josh O’Connor introduces fresh energy, while Ariana Grande and particularly Cher bring iconic star power, promising unforgettable musical and comedic moments.
This carefully curated December lineup demonstrates SNL‘s commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment as it continues its historic 51st season. Viewers can catch Saturday Night Live on Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
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