Who's hosting Saturday Night Live tonight, March 2?
By Matt Moore
Saturday Night Live is ready to start March on the right foot with a brand-new episode. And tonight's host makes their SNL debut
SNL season 49 returned from a brief hiatus last week, welcoming back former cast member Shane Gillis to host. Yes, Gillis is technically an ex-cast member ... even if his tenure only lasted four days.
Tonight's host is another first-timer, albeit one that won't be carrying any controversy into the show. Actress Sydney Sweeney hosts Saturday Night Live tonight. She'll be joined by musical guest Kacey Musgraves.
Sweeney made a name for herself in projects like Euphoria and The White Lotus. In the past year, she's starred in major releases like Anyone But You and Madame Web. Her new movie, Immaculate, premieres on March 22.
What to watch for on Saturday Night Live tonight, March 2
At just 26 years old, Sydney Sweeney has been acting for over a decade. So she certainly has plenty of performing experience to carry into Saturday Night Live even without many straightforward comedies on her resume.
But during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Sweeney admitted she was nervous. She probably won't seem as nervous on stage as Shane Gillis looked (and admitted to being) last week. Gillis eventually relaxed and settled into a solid performance, so the experienced actor Sweeney should be on the same path tonight.
The past week provided a few standout moments that seem ripe for a Saturday Night Live cold open. Last week's was a dud, so SNL needs a bounce-back performance tonight.
One option could be looking within the SNL family. Seth Meyers had an awkward moment when his ice cream trip with Joe Biden turned into a press conference on Gaza. A Meyers cameo as himself could give SNL another chance to showcase Mikey Day as President Biden.
Then there was Donald Trump's visit to the southern border. His speeches in different locations always create low-hanging fruit for Saturday Night Live. But SNL would be wise to limit the exposure they put on James Austin Johnson's Trump before the election heats up later this year.
Saturday Night Live airs tonight, March 2, at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The show is also available on Peacock.