Sabrina Carpenter Hosts ‘SNL’ Tonight as Season 51 Thrives

Saturday Night Live (SNL) returns tonight with a new episode featuring Grammy Award-winning pop star Sabrina Carpenter as both host and musical guest. This marks Carpenter’s debut as a host on the iconic sketch series, which is currently in its 51st season. The episode will air live from New York City at 11:30 PM EST on October 18, 2025, on NBC and will also be available for streaming on Peacock.

SNL, created by Lorne Michaels, has been a staple of American television since its premiere in 1975. The show celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this year with a special three-hour event. Despite the departure of popular cast members like Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim, Season 51 has continued to attract large audiences, highlighted by former cast member Amy Poehler‘s hosting last week.

Over the years, SNL has won an impressive 84 Emmy Awards, more than any other television show in history. The program has launched the careers of numerous prominent figures in entertainment, including Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, and Tina Fey. Notably, many of its beloved sketches have transitioned into successful films, such as Wayne’s World and The Blues Brothers.

Carpenter, who gained fame through her role in the Disney Channel sitcom Girl Meets World, has successfully transitioned into a music career, releasing seven albums, including her recent work, Man’s Best Friend, which debuted in August 2025. Her first single from the album, “Manchild,”, was released in June and quickly rose to the top of the Billboard charts. Carpenter also collaborated with Taylor Swift on the title track of the album The Life of a Showgirl.

SNL’s current cast includes a diverse group of performers. The repertory players for this season are Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, Bowen Yang, and Weekend Update anchors Michael Che and Colin Jost. Featured players returning this season include Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline, along with newcomers Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.

The host lineup for the upcoming weeks includes notable names such as Bad Bunny, alongside Carpenter’s episode tonight. Previous musical guests this season have featured Doja Cat and Role Model, contributing to a dynamic array of performances that keep viewers engaged.

As SNL continues its legacy, tonight’s episode promises to deliver fresh comedy and music, showcasing the talents of Sabrina Carpenter while maintaining the show’s rich tradition of entertainment.