SNL is getting its first true newbie host of the season this weekend, with comic Nikki Glaser—who’s never before appeared on the show—set to make her Studio 8H debut alongside musical guest (and fellow SNL first-timer) sombr.
For Glaser, it’s the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Last year, she told Variety, “I have loved the show forever… I’m not waiting for the call, but when it comes in, it’ll be an absolute yes!”
But Glaser’s debut isn’t the only story we’re tracking ahead of this season’s fifth episode. Here are five storylines we’ll be watching this Saturday night:
Don’t Mess with the Zohran
Will New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani make Studio 8H one of his first post-election stops? Saturday Night Live has a long history with New York City’s mayors, from Ed Koch and Rudy Giuliani to Michael Bloomberg. With Mamdani’s election win dominating headlines this week—and on the heels of Ramy Youssef portraying the charismatic Democratic Socialist in last week’s mayoral debate cold open—it seems like only a matter of time before the real Mamdani stops by the show.
Ashley’s Legacy
As Season 51 nears its quarter mark, Ashley Padilla continues to rewrite the record books. The second-year featured player currently leads the entire cast in both sketch appearances (21) and total screen time (32:10), making her the first second-year player to lead in appearances this deep into a season since Bill Hader in Season 32 (2006–07)—and the first featured player ever to hold that title. With what’s shaping up to be one of the most impressive sophomore campaigns in SNL history, all eyes are on Padilla to see how long she can sustain her historic run.
SNL’s Newer “It” Couple
Last week in this space, we spotlighted the growing on-screen chemistry between Ashley Padilla and Andrew Dismukes—and they delivered, sharing scenes in “Hockey PSA,” “Murder Press Briefing,” and on Weekend Update as “Two People Who Just Hooked Up.”
But another dynamic duo may also be emerging: Ben Marshall and Veronika Slowikowska. The two share similar comedy backgrounds and social followings from their pre-SNL sketch work, and their friendship off-screen has clearly translated on-camera. They’ve already appeared in nine sketches together this season, including as contestants in “What Did I Do Last Night?” So far, 64% of Veronika’s sketches have featured Ben, and 56% of Ben’s have featured Veronika—numbers that suggest a real creative connection worth watching.
The Jost Roast
Known for her razor-sharp roast skills, Nikki Glaser is already warming up the insult mic. In this week’s Wednesday promo, she took aim at Ashley Padilla, James Austin Johnson, and Kam Patterson—but one obvious target remains untouched: Colin Jost. No SNL cast member in recent memory has endured more roasting than Jost, and pairing Glaser with Sarah Sherman, the show’s resident roastmaster, could set the stage for an all-time Weekend Update moment.
Return of the “Long”-ologue
According to our resident SNL statistician Mike Murray, this season’s monologues have been noticeably shorter than usual—but that’s about to change. Glaser revealed on Late Night with Seth Meyers earlier this week that she’s been workshopping her SNL monologue in New York comedy clubs, hinting at a proper stand-up set.
The question now is: how long will she go? SNL’s all-time monologue record belongs to Dave Chappelle, who spoke for 16 minutes and 49 seconds last season. Other “long”-ologues include Louis C.K. (9:28), John Mulaney (9:22), Nate Bargatze (9:19), Aziz Ansari (8:46), and Amy Schumer (8:11). With Glaser at the mic, this weekend’s opener could join that list.
This weekend’s Saturday Night Live airs Saturday Nov. 8 at 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT on on NBC and Peacock. Join us at LateNighter.com immediately after for the Saturday Night Network’s live after-show, where SNL experts and superfans share their hot takes on the night’s best and worst moments.
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