After a one-week break, Saturday Night Live returns this weekend with the first in a three-episode November run. Season 51 has already packed in plenty of headlines—from double-duty debuts to rising stars in the cast—but after an uneven October, fans are hoping this next stretch will see the show begin to hit its Season 51 groove.
This Saturday’s episode will be anchored by two familiar faces: Miles Teller, who hosted the Season 48 premiere, alongside returning musical guest Brandi Carlile.
Here are five storylines we’ll be watching this Saturday night:
Manningcast, Round Two?
Miles Teller kicked off his hosting debut with a splash three years ago when he and Andrew Dismukes anchored the show’s first cold open of the season as Peyton and Eli Manning, offering a live “Manningcast”-style commentary as James Austin Johnson portrayed Donald Trump to open the show. The meta parody was well-received—one of the more clever, self-aware openings in recent years. With Teller back, will SNL take the idea for another spin?
Padilla Mania
The first month of Season 51 has been all about Ashley Padilla. The second-year featured player has dominated in screen time, sketch count, and critical buzz—so much so that some fans have begun lobbying for her to receive a rare mid-season promotion to repertory status. Padilla returns from the off week with momentum and eyes on whether she can keep her breakout streak going.
SNL’s New “It” Couple
Something seems to be clicking between Ashley Padilla and Andrew Dismukes—on screen, that is. The duo has become SNL’s most consistent pairing this season, appearing together in “Parent-Teacher Conference” (Bad Bunny), “The Rudemans” (Poehler), “Non-Non-Alcoholic Beer” (Poehler), and “Appliance Store” (Carpenter). They even carried that chemistry into this week’s Thursday promo. It’s early, but SNL might just have its next go-to sketch duo.
Culhane’s Moment
One by one, each of this season’s new featured players has had a chance to shine—Kam Patterson and Tommy Brennan scored Weekend Update turns, Ben Marshall has emerged as a new utility player, and Veronika Slowikowska got a featured sketch (“Appliance Store”) during the Sabrina Carpenter episode. The one name still waiting for a breakout? Jeremy Culhane. After getting a notable moment in this week’s Wednesday promo, he’s due for a showcase sketch in the live show.
Once Again, Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile has quietly become one of SNL’s go-to musical guests, with appearances in Seasons 47, 48, 50, and now 51. That puts her among an elite group—just nine musical guests have been booked four times in the past decade, and more than half of them (Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Halsey, Lizzo, and Chance the Rapper) have gone on to host. Given Carlile’s sketch debut alongside Jack Black last season, it’s fair to wonder if SNL is setting her up for a double-duty episode in the near future—and if she’ll pop up in a sketch or two this weekend.
Saturday Night Live airs Nov. 1 on NBC and streams on Peacock. Join us at LateNighter.com immediately after for the Saturday Night Network’s live after-show, where SNL experts and superfans weigh in on the night’s best and worst moments.
