Does SNL have a new episode tonight, January 7th?

Michael Che, Colin Jost, SNL, Weekend Update
Michael Che, Colin Jost, SNL, Weekend Update /
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SNL is a week away from returning for its first new episode of 2017.

Unlike most of the other networks, NBC’s late-night lineup remained on hiatus this week ahead of Jimmy Fallon presiding over the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night, and Saturday Night Live is no exception. The long-running sketch show is once again off this week, but will return next Saturday on Jan. 14 for its first new episode of the new year.

The show will be hosted by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story actress Felicity Jones, with country musician Sturgill Simpson serving as musical guest. Both entertainers will be making their SNL debut that night. Jones joins a growing list of first time hosts this season, following Margot Robbie, Emily Blunt, Dave Chappelle, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Casey Affleck and John Cena. The episode will likely feature a Star Wars-inspired sketch or two, and may also include a tribute to the late Carrie Fisher, who hosted the series back in 1978 dressed as Princess Leia during a sketch and her opening monologue.

The first half of SNL‘s 42nd season has been a huge success quality-wise and from a ratings perspective, attracting its largest audience in years. The show has not only welcomed back such talented hosts as Emma Stone, Tom Hanks and Kristen Wiig, but it’s also remained in the news thanks to Alec Baldwin’s depiction of Donald Trump, which has clearly irked the president-elect. The role earned the actor a Critics’ Choice Award last month, along with Kate McKinnon, his co-star in the highly praised debate skits where she portrayed Hillary Clinton. She’s since gone on to play Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, who will maintain a role in the new administration. Next week’s SNL episode will come less than a week before Trump’s inauguration, so we’re likely to see much more of Baldwin as Trump in the near future.

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Saturday Night Live returns on Jan. 14 at 11:30 p.m. on NBC.