Saturday Night Live got off to a later-than-usual start with Season 46, and has been airing reruns since the show closed out December 2020 with Jason Bateman, Timothée Chalamet, and longtime SNL star Kristen Wiig. Now, SNL is poised to make its return with the very first episode of 2021, and it will be the host’s very first time with the top job on the show. Fans, prepare for a new host sooner rather than later!
The Office and Jack Ryan star John Krasinski will make his Saturday Night Live hosting debut on January 30 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. This episode should be a big deal for the actor, as he hasn’t even appeared as a guest in a sketch before. Still, he didn’t spend nine years on The Office without mastering the ability to deliver laughs!
John Krasinski’s episode will see Machine Gun Kelly as musical guest for what will also be his first appearance on Saturday Night Live. SNL ran into trouble when it came to the musical guest earlier in Season 46, but there has been no sign that Machine Gun Kelly will create the same issue.
In fact, a recent video courtesy of SNL reveals Machine Gun Kelly giving Krasinski a hard time and building the pressure for hosting the first episode of 2021 in a fun little mini skit, all masked up per pandemic protocols. Take a look:
Saturday Night Live has seemingly found its groove in producing new episodes under COVID-19 protocols, but the focus of the content will likely shift, at least somewhat, in the new year. The inauguration of President Joe Biden presumably means that Alec Baldwin’s impersonation of Donald Trump won’t be getting a ton of screen time.
As for somebody to play Joe Biden, Jim Carrey played the then-presidential candidate at the beginning of Season 46, but somebody new will take up the mantle in the new year, as announced by Carrey himself at the end of 2020. SNL cast member Alex Moffat has seemingly taken over the role, but it’s possible that he was only keeping the wig warm during the search for the next big name. I wouldn’t bet on John Krasinski playing the new President, though. Fingers crossed for an appearance from Maya Rudolph as the new Vice President!
John Krasinski’s first episode as SNL host will be the first of five consecutive broadcasts over five weeks, and the first three sets of hosts/musical guests have already been announced. On February 6, Schitt’s Creek Emmy winner Dany Leave will host, with Phoebe Bridgers as musical guest. Watchmen star and One Night in Miami director Regina King hosts on February 13, with Nathaniel Rateliff as musical guest. Saturday Night Live is starting the new year with three new hosts.
Check out the first with John Krasinski’s episode of Saturday Night Live on Saturday, January 30 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
