If you’ve been staring at your DVR or refreshing Peacock wondering why the lights were off at Studio 8H recently, you aren't alone. It’s the 50th anniversary season, after all. The stakes are higher. The cameos are weirder. But the schedule? Still as unpredictable as a Stefon monologue. If you're asking is SNL new March 29 2025, the answer is a resounding yes.
After a brief spring hiatus that felt like an eternity for die-hard fans, Saturday Night Live is officially back. And honestly, they aren't coming back quietly.
This specific date marks a major turning point for Season 50. We are moving out of the post-Anniversary Special hangover and into the home stretch of what has been a historic run. You've got a first-time host who is currently the "it girl" of cinema and a musical guest who is practically a walking headline. It’s a weird, buzzy mix that only Lorne Michaels could pull off.
Who is Hosting SNL on March 29, 2025?
Making her hosting debut is Mikey Madison. If that name doesn't immediately ring a bell, you probably haven't been to a movie theater in the last six months. Madison is fresh off a massive Academy Award win for Best Actress for her role in Anora.
She’s basically the third woman in the show's history to host as a "rookie" after winning an Oscar so quickly. It’s a big deal. You might also recognize her from Scream or her stint on FX’s Better Things. She’s got this intense, high-energy vibe that usually translates really well to sketch comedy. Word on the street is she’s even doing her own stunts in some of the pre-taped segments tonight.
The Musical Guest: Morgan Wallen’s Return
On the music side, we’ve got Morgan Wallen. This is his second time as a musical guest, and if you remember his first go-around back in 2020, it was... complicated. He was originally kicked off the show for breaking COVID protocols, then invited back later that season.
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This time, he’s here to promote his fourth studio album, I'm The Problem, which isn't out until May but is already dominating the charts. He’s slated to perform two tracks:
- "I'm the Problem"
- "Just in Case"
Expect a lot of Nashville energy on the 30 Rock stage. There’s also been some chatter about whether he’d show up in a sketch. He was actually offered a spot in a "Big Dumb Line" sketch (a recurring favorite), but he reportedly turned it down. Joe Jonas is rumored to be stepping in for that cameo instead.
Why the Schedule Has Been So Weird Lately
It feels like the show has been on a break forever, right? Well, it kinda has. Before tonight, the last new episode aired on March 8 with Lady Gaga pulling double duty.
The gap happened because of the massive SNL 50th Anniversary Special events. Between the red carpet specials, the homecoming concerts at Radio City Music Hall, and the three-hour primetime extravaganza in February, the cast and crew were basically running on fumes. They needed a few weeks to reset before hitting this final spring sprint.
Tonight’s episode is actually the start of a three-week marathon. If you’re planning your weekends, here’s what the immediate future looks like:
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- March 29: Mikey Madison / Morgan Wallen
- April 5: Jack Black / Elton John & Brandi Carlile
- April 12: Jon Hamm / Lizzo
That is a heavy-hitter lineup. It’s clear NBC is pulling out all the stops for the 50th-year celebration.
What to Watch For Tonight
Keep an eye on the Cold Open. With the 2024-2025 political cycle still churning out chaos, the "political heavyweights" like Maya Rudolph (Kamala Harris) and Dana Carvey (Joe Biden) have been staples this season. However, with the season moving forward, we’re seeing more of the new featured players getting screen time.
Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline have been the standout rookies this year. Jane’s "Weekend Update" segments have already gone viral a few times for being deeply, awkwardly relatable.
How to Watch SNL Live Tonight
If you're trying to catch it as it happens, you've got the usual options, but the timing is strict:
- NBC: 11:30 PM EST / 8:30 PM PST.
- Peacock: Streaming live simultaneously.
- DVR: Just make sure you set it for an extra 15 minutes. Sports overruns are the silent killer of SNL recordings.
One little detail for the superfans: the opening montage for tonight has been tweaked. They’ve gone back to the dual-clip intro for the host and musical guest, using a specific gold-yellow and dark purple color palette. It’s a small nod to the anniversary season's aesthetic.
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The Verdict on the 50th Anniversary Momentum
Honestly, Season 50 has been a rollercoaster. Some people think the cameos have overshadowed the actual cast, but tonight feels like a return to form. Having a "young Hollywood" host like Mikey Madison usually pushes the writers to get a bit more experimental.
There's a rumored sketch called "Jury Duty" where Madison might reprise her Anora character, which would be a huge treat for cinema nerds. Whether it lands or not, it’s just nice to have the show back in its regular Saturday slot.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the SNL 50 archives after the show, Peacock has uploaded almost every "Best Of" special from the last five decades. It's a great way to kill time until the Jack Black episode next week.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your local listings: If you're on the West Coast, remember that some affiliates air a delayed broadcast while others show the live feed.
- Clear your Peacock cache: If you're streaming, the live feed can sometimes lag during the opening monologue if you haven't refreshed your app lately.
- Follow the "SNL Stats" accounts: If you're into the nitty-gritty of which cast members get the most screen time, the live-tracking community on X (formerly Twitter) is usually on fire during the Mikey Madison episode.