Ariana Grande is hosting SNL tonight: Here’s how to watch and what to know!

Saturday Night Live fans are in for a wickedly good episode this evening as actress and singer Ariana Grande returns to Studio 8H for the fourth time in promotion of this November’s Wicked, in which Grande stars a Glinda. 

Given Wicked doesn’t hit theaters until Nov. 22, it’s honestly a bit surprising Grande’s hosting stint is coming so early in the season; however, Universal has been heavily promoting the film already so clearly it’s part of a strategy to help the film continue to gain momentum ahead of its release. 

Funny enough, the promo for the episode saw Grande telling several SNL cast members she’d prefer to do nothing Wicked or Wizard of Oz related – though we have a pretty good sense we’ll definitely get some sort of skit inspired by the franchise or perhaps a cameo by her Wicked costar Cynthia Erivo. 

Regardless of what the episode brings about, we know Grande is sure to bring down the house as she’s most certainly no stranger to the show. 

This is Ariana Grande’s fourth SNL appearance (but only second hosting stint)

Tonight’s SNL marks Ariana Grande’s fourth appearance on NBC’s long-running series in the last decade. In fact, her first time on the show was literally almost a decade ago! 

Grande made her SNL debut on Sept. 27, 2014 as the musical guest in the season 40 premiere which was hosted by Chris Pratt. The episode saw her performing two songs off her second album My Everything and even saw her getting into the fun of the episode appearing in a sketch in which she played She-Ra. 

Two years later, Grande made her SNL hosting debut when she hosted episode 15 of season 41 on March 12, 2016, and pulled double-duty as the episode’s musical guest performing two hits from her third album Dangerous Woman. 

Following her hosting stint in 2016, almost 10 years passed before Grande returned to the show for season 49 as the musical guest of episode 14 which aired on March 9, 2024. Once again, Grande served as the musical guest this time promoting her seventh studio album Eternal Sunshine and, though she was just the musical guest on the episode, she again participated in a few sketches. 

On Oct. 12, she returns for her second hosting stint and fourth appearance though this time she won’t be pulling double duty as musical guest of the episode! 

Tonight’s SNL musical guest is Stevie Nicks

Joining Ariana Grande as the musical guest of the third episode of season 50 is a true music icon: Stevie Nicks! Surprisingly, this is only the second time Nicks has ever appeared as a musical guest on SNL and it’s been over three decades since she last appeared on the show! 

The former Fleetwood Mac singer has not appeared on SNL since season 9, last appearing on the show in December 1983 in an episode hosted by actor Flip Wilson. The season featured some of the show’s all-time greats including Eddie Murphy, Jim Belushi, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. 

It’s unclear what songs Nicks might be performing tonight, but it seems likely she might perform her newest single “The Lighthouse” inspired by the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

SNL host tonight, musical guest, and how to watch

Tonight’s new episode of SNL begins at 11:30/10:30c on NBC. You can catch the episode live via your local NBC affiliate via cable – well unless you’re on the West Coast as West Coast fans get a taped encore of the East Coast’s live show. 

If you don’t have cable, you can enjoy Ariana Grande and Stevie Nicks’ SNL episodes via streaming services that offer live TV packages such as fuboTV and Hulu+ Live TV. You can also enjoy the episode live via an active Peacock subscription. 

To recap, here are the key details for how to watch tonight’s new episode and what to expect:

• Episode: Season 50, Episode 3
• Host: Ariana Grande
• Musical Guest: Stevie Nicks
• Start Time: 11:30/10:30c
• Channel: NBC
• Where to Stream Live: Peacock, fuboTV, Hulu+ Live TV