Bad Bunny Hosts SNL Season 51 Premiere, Highlights New Cast

On October 5, 2025, Puerto Rican musician Bad Bunny returned to host the season 51 premiere of Saturday Night Live. This was his second time hosting the show, and he proved to be a charismatic and engaging performer.

The episode came with some significant changes to the SNL cast. Several cast members, including Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim, have departed the show, while new featured players have joined, including TikTok star Veronika Slowikowska, Dropout's Jeremy Culhane, and stand-up comedian Tommy Brennan. Additionally, Ben Marshall has been promoted to featured player, and Martin Herlihy has joined as a writer.

Despite the cast changes, Bad Bunny's performance was a standout. He shined in sketches like "ChatGPTío," where he played a Latino uncle version of the AI assistant, and "Parent-Teacher Conference," where he portrayed a father who catches the eye of the smitten school principal. His chemistry with newcomer Marcello Hernandez was particularly evident, and fans are hoping to see more of them together in future episodes.

The episode had its ups and downs, with some sketches feeling a bit uneven. However, the new writers, including Jack Bensinger, Maddie Wiener, and Claire McFadden, have brought a fresh and promising perspective to the show. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the revamped cast and writing team shape the future of SNL.