Who's hosting Saturday Night Live tonight, February 3? What to watch for
By Matt Moore
Saturday Night Live is back tonight with another brand-new episode. SNL will look to get things back on track with a mix of new talent and nostalgia.
SNL season 49 has found itself in something of a mini-rut. Two weeks ago, Jacob Elordi's debut fell a little flat as the show couldn't quite find the right material for the actor to shine. Last week, Dakota Johnson returned for an uneven episode saved by a Please Don't Destroy sketch and a solid pre-taped bit.
Tonight, actress Ayo Edebiri hosts and makes her Saturday Night Live debut. Jennifer Lopez joins her as the musical guest, returning to SNL for the first time since 2019.
UPDATE: See the cold open with a surprise cameo
Edebiri is coming off a huge awards season. She picked up an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critics' Choice award for her performance in the comedy The Bear. It's just one of many reasons audiences should get to know Ayo Edebiri.
Edebiri also has the experience and talent to be the best host we've seen in Saturday Night Live season 49. She is a stand-up comedian with credits like Tim Robinson's I Think You Should Leave Now, The Eric Andre Show, Abbott Elementary, and Big Mouth.
The fact that Edebiri has succeeded in just about every form of comedy imaginable will serve her well in her SNL debut. Look for her to make a big splash and remind everyone watching why she is one of the most talented people on television right now.
Jennifer Lopez will bring a dose of nostalgia to Studio 8H. Similar to last week's musical guest Justin TImberlake, Lopez appeals to multiple generations of SNL watchers.
And like last week, tonight's episode shouldn't surprise anyone by using Lopez in a sketch or two. She's hosted the show in the past and demonstrated a willingness to play a variety of roles.
The only question is whether SNL wants to repeat last week by pairing the musical guest with a cameo. Timberlake teamed up with Jimmy Fallon for "The Barry Gibb Talk Show." Lopez isn't closely associated with a cast member in the same way. But her husband Ben Affleck also has a long history with the show.
Lopez and Affleck don't seem interested in calling extra attention to their relationship outside of red carpets. So that makes the idea of Affleck popping up in Studio 8H a long shot. But if it happens, expect to see a warm reception from the audience.
Saturday Night Live airs tonight, February 3, at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The show is also available on Peacock.