If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably noticed the absolute chaos and nostalgia surrounding Saturday Night Live’s massive 50th-anniversary milestone. Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of. One minute there’s a rumor about a retired legend returning, and the next, a TikTok star is supposedly in the mix. But let’s get into what is actually happening with who is hosting SNL 50 and the rotation of talent currently keeping the lights on at 30 Rock.
The big thing most people get wrong is that "SNL 50" refers to two different things: the actual 50th season (which we are currently in) and the massive, three-hour primetime anniversary special that already happened in February 2025.
The current lineup for 2026
Right now, in January 2026, the show is moving through the second half of its follow-up season (Season 51), but the "50th Anniversary" branding is still everywhere because, well, you don't just stop celebrating five decades of comedy overnight.
If you are looking for tonight’s host, Finn Wolfhard is taking the stage on January 17, 2026, with A$AP Rocky as the musical guest. It’s a pretty big deal for Wolfhard—the first Stranger Things kid to actually lead the show. Looking ahead at the rest of the month, NBC has already confirmed a few more:
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- January 24, 2025: Teyana Taylor is hosting with musical guest Geese.
- January 31, 2025: Alexander Skarsgård makes his hosting debut alongside Cardi B.
Looking back at the SNL 50 Anniversary Special
To really answer who is hosting SNL 50 in the way most fans mean—the big, star-studded gala—we have to look at the February 16, 2025 broadcast. That night was unique because it didn't have just one host. Instead, it was a relay race of the greatest names to ever walk through those studio doors.
Steve Martin technically "hosted" the opening monologue, but he wasn’t alone. He was flanked by Martin Short and John Mulaney, with a surprise appearance from David Letterman sitting in the audience. It set the tone for a night that felt more like a family reunion than a standard episode of television.
The special brought back the heavy hitters. We’re talking Eddie Murphy returning to the "Black Jeopardy" sketch, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reuniting, and even Adam Sandler doing what he does best. It wasn't just a "best of" clip show; it was live, messy, and exactly what the show needed to prove it still has teeth.
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Why the host list matters this year
The 50th season (2024–2025) was a gauntlet of "Five-Timers" and massive names. Lorne Michaels clearly pulled out every favor in his Rolodex.
Throughout that milestone season, we saw people like Jean Smart, Nate Bargatze, Ariana Grande, and Michael Keaton take the lead. Even Shane Gillis came back for a second hosting stint, which was a wild full-circle moment considering his history with the show.
The strategy for "who is hosting SNL 50" was clearly about blending the old guard with the new. You’d have a legacy actor like Chris Rock followed by someone like Charli XCX pulling double duty. It kept the ratings high, but more importantly, it made the show feel like a cultural hub again.
The "Homecoming" vs. the Special
Another point of confusion for a lot of fans was the SNL50: The Homecoming Concert. This happened two days before the main special, on February 14, 2025. This one did have a single host: Jimmy Fallon.
He emceed the event at Radio City Music Hall, which was basically a massive live concert featuring everyone from Lady Gaga to the Backstreet Boys. If you missed it, it was mostly musical performances and comedy sets that didn't quite fit into the sketch-heavy Sunday night broadcast.
Key details for fans
If you're trying to keep up with the current schedule or want to rewatch the 50th-anniversary highlights, here is what you need to know:
- Where to watch: Everything is on Peacock. They have a specific "SNL 50" hub that includes the anniversary special, the Beyond Saturday Night documentary series, and the 50 Years of SNL Music doc directed by Questlove.
- The "In Memoriam" segment: One of the most talked-about parts of the 50th special was actually hosted by Tom Hanks. Instead of just a somber list of people who passed away, he presented a hilarious tribute to "canceled" characters and sketches that aged terribly.
- Tickets: If you're still hoping to see a show this season, the ticket lottery is usually in August, but "standby" is still a thing. You just have to be willing to wait in the cold on 48th Street for a very long time.
It’s easy to get lost in the noise of 50 years of history. Whether you're watching Finn Wolfhard tonight or re-watching Bill Murray rank the Weekend Update anchors from the special, the show’s survival is kind of a miracle. It has outlived almost every other variety show in history by simply refusing to change its basic, chaotic format.
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To stay on top of the latest host announcements, keep an eye on the official SNL social channels on Wednesday afternoons. That is usually when the "index card" photo drops, confirming who will be the next person to say those famous seven words at the end of the monologue.
Check the NBC schedule or the Peacock app on Saturday mornings to see if there is a "Vintage" episode airing at 10 p.m. before the live show; lately, they have been picking episodes that specifically highlight the upcoming host's influences or past appearances.