Musical guest Doja Cat, host Bad Bunny, and special guest Jon Hamm during “Goodnights & Credits” on Saturday, October 4, 2025
Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images
Saturday Night Live kicked off its 51st season with host Bad Bunny and musical guest Doja Cat.
It was Bad Bunny’s second time hosting. He previously was the host and musical guest in October of 2023. It was Doja Cat’s first time as a musical guest on the program.
The episode was not only the season premiere but also the first episode for new cast members Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. Several cast shake-ups occurred between the seasons, including the departures of several cast members, most notably Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim.
The episode didn’t feel fully like a premiere of a new season; something about it felt more like a regular episode that would have come after a larger opening. However, the night had some high points.
Cold Open
Season 51 started with the same type of Cold Open that dominated season 50. The sketch follows Colin Jost as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth giving a speech to military leaders before he is interrupted by James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump. It isn’t the most inventive way to start the season, but there are some solid jokes about Riyadh Comedy Festival and Jimmy Kimmel. Johnson also gets to make some meta jokes that will likely hit with super fans.
Monologue
Bad Bunny brings clips from his recent residency, and Jon Hamm makes a cameo. It isn’t the most memorable monologue, but he gets to talk about his upcoming Super Bowl Half-Time show and delivers a sweet message to ‘all Latinos and Latinas around the world.’
Jeopardy with Bad Bunny
Jeopardy parodies are not new ground for SNL, but this one is very funny. It feels like a throwback to an earlier era of the show. In the sketch, Kenan Thompson, Veronika Slowikowska and Bad Bunny are Jeopardy contestants, but one of them doesn’t quite understand the rules. It is a tight sketch that is very fun and a high point of the night.
ChatGPTío
This commercial parody is for a version of ChatGPT featuring Latino uncles. Marcello Hernández and Bad Bunny seem to be having fun, but something about the sketch doesn’t entirely work.
The Donor
Chloe Fineman and Sarah Sherman want to ask Andrew Dismukes to be their sperm donor, but they are interrupted by a spectator who volunteers to do it. This sketch is fun. While it seems like it will be straightforward, it has a surprise ending that makes it more inventive and wackier.
KPop Demon Hunters
Fineman, Sherman, Mikey Day and Bad Bunny are out to brunch when Bad Bunny brings up his new favorite movie, KPop Demon Hunters. Ejae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami appear to sing some of the songs from the Netflix hit. This sketch feels a bit like an excuse to sing some of the songs from KPop Demon Hunters. Fans of the movie will likely have a lot of fun with this sketch, but there isn’t much there.
Doja Cat performs
Doja Cat performed “Aaahh Men!” and “Gorgeous” from her album Vie. If you are going to watch one, “Aaahh Men!” is the more dynamic of the two. It has a fun 1980s vibe that sells the performance.
Weeknd Update
While for Michael Che and Jost, this Weekend Update was business as usual, the biggest surprise came from new cast member Kam Patterson stopping by to deliver a stand-up style bit. Patterson joked about wanting to say the n-word on air to Jost’s chagrin. It was exciting to see a new cast member given an opportunity to shine this early in the season.
Bowen Yang also stopped by as Dobby the House Elf to talk about JK Rowling and Emma Watson. Yang’s commitment and ability to roll with the punches are great.
Inventing Spanish
In this sketch, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the Iberians invent a new language, Spanish. Bad Bunny and Hernández lead the charge. This sketch feels a bit like the Nate Bargatze American history sketches. However, instead of George Washington explaining the weirdness of America, this one goes into Spanish words having genders. The sketch doesn’t feel like it goes far enough, but it does have a cameo from Benicio del Toro.
Parent Teacher Conference
When a school principal, played by Ashley Padilla, is met with a hot dad (Bad Bunny), she forgets why she had to call a parent-teacher conference. This sketch feels like it should have come earlier in the night, but it is a cute sketch with a straightforward premise. The best part is Padilla’s performance.
El Chavo Del Ocho (English Version)
This is a really fun and strange parody of the 1970s Mexican sitcom of the same name. It has an excellent retro opening credits. While this will especially be a hit for anyone who grew up with Spanish-language sitcoms, it will be a high point of the night even for those who aren’t familiar with El Chavo Del Ocho.
SNL returns on October 11 with host Amy Poehler and musical guest Role Model.