Speaking as a lifelong fan of Saturday Night Live, Season 49 -- which was welcomed with open arms following Season 48's abrupt end due to the WGA strike -- was a relatively memorable and consistently funny ride. Check out SNL Season 49's previous hosts and musical guests and relieve highlights from their episodes below.
Past Hosts And Musical Guests
October 14, 2023 - Host Pete Davidson With Musical Guest Ice Spice
After his originally planned hosting debut -- scheduled nearly a year after he left SNL -- was cancelled amid the beginning of the writer's strike, Bupkis cast lead Pete Davidson got to host the Season 49 opener. After starting things off with a tribute to the victims of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the comic performed a few stand-up bits in his monologue and starred in a self-effacing parody of Barbie's "I'm Just Ken" number, among other solid sketches.
Performing music for the SNL Season 49 premiere was MTV VMA Best New Artist Award winner Ice Spice in her Studio 8H debut, who started with a rendition of "In Ha Mood." The rapper was later joined by Rema for their collaboration, “Pretty Girl,” after being introduced by Taylor Swift, who was later seen with rumored boyfriend, Travis Kelce at the episode's after party following the Kansas City Chiefs tight end's cameo in an earlier sketch.
Stream Pete Davidson's SNL 49 Episode on Peacock.
October 21, 2023 - Host And Musical Guest Bad Bunny
For Season 49's sophomore episode, Bad Bunny (née Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) returned to Studio 8H as its headliner. The hip-hop artist and actor (known for the Fast and Furious movies and, more recently, Amazon’s Cassandro) hosted a show chock-full of mind-blowing cameos -- such as The Last of Us cast member, Pedro Pascal, fellow actor/musician Lady Gaga, and the Rolling Stones' Mike Jagger.
Gaga showed up to introduce the Puerto Rican rapper's first performance as musical guest -- the song in question being "UN PREVIEW." After appearing in a sketch together -- a sequel to a Season 48 segment -- Pascal came out to set-up Bad Bunny's rendition of "MONACO."
Stream Bad Bunny's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
October 28, 2023 - Nate Bagatze With Musical Guest Foo Fighters
"As shocked as you are" to be hosting SNL's Halloween weekend show was Nate Bargatze, who received advice from other comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Pete Davidson before taking the stage. The night -- which was full of great sketches, including a slasher-style Hallmark movie parody -- was yet another one full of amazing cameos, including Academy Award winner Christopher Walken as the Spirit of Halloween, Padma Lakshmi as herself, and Dave Grohl in a couple different sketches.
Grohl and his band, Foo Fighters, also served as musical guests for tenth time -- if you include their performance with host and musical guest Mick Jagger in 2012 -- and first with new drummer, Josh Freese, following Taylor Hawkins' passing in 2022. They played two songs off of their 11th album, But Here We Are, and were joined by H.E.R. -- another Oscar-winner at Studio 8H that night -- to play "The Glass."
Stream Nate Bargatze's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
November 11, 2023 - Timothée Chalamet With Musical Guest Boygenius
The first show of November marked the return of Timothée Chalamet, who opened the show with musical celebration of the SAG-AFTRA strike's ending that also served as a promotion for his lead role in Wonka, which comes out in December. The Academy Award nominee also reprised $mokecheddathaassgetta -- a character he originated in a so-bad-it's-good SNL sketch from Season 46 -- and starred in a divisive Please Don't Destroy video referencing the Israel-Palestine war.
Making their Studio 8H debut that night was boygenius, which consists of acclaimed indie artists Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus. Bearing a wardrobe and set-up resembling The Beatles circa 1964, the supergroup performed two songs from their 2023 album, The Record, and also appeared in a sketch as clones of a sleep demon that resembles The Idol cast member, Troye Sivan.
Stream Timothée Chalamet's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
November 18, 2023 - Jason Momoa With Musical Guest Tate McRae
A week after Chalamet's return came the sophomore hosting gig his of fellow Dune cast member, Jason Momoa. In his monologue, the Hawaiian-born star of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (coming out December 22) recalled his relationship with water outside of the DC movies -- such as his early aspirations to be a marine biologist, two seasons on Baywatch, and his own water company, Mananalu.
Tate McRae -- who also has a big return coming in December with the release of her second studio album, Think Later -- made her SNL debut as musical guest that night with performances of "grave" and "greedy." The Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer's first taste of fame came at 13 years old when she became a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance? before her original song, "One Day," went viral and received attention from RCA Records.
Stream Jasom Momoa's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
December 2, 2023 - Emma Stone With Musical Guest Noah Kahan
The first SNL episode of December 2023 marked Emma Stone's induction into the Five-Timer's Club. The Academy Award winner and star of Yorgos Lanthimos' surreal upcoming film, Poor Things was welcomed into the exclusive society by two legendary members: Tina Fey and Candice Bergen.
Fulfilling a dream he once strongly expressed in an X post that night was musical guest Noah Kahan. The singer-songwriter performed the title track from his most recent album, 2022's Stick Season, and another song called "Dial Drunk."
Stream Emma Stone's SNL Season 49 Episode on Peacock.
December 9, 2023 - Adam Driver With Musical Guest Olivia Rodrigo
A week after Emma Stone became a Five-Timer, Academy Award nominee Adam Driver hosted his fourth SNL episode, which the Star Wars movies actor opened with a funny greeting for Santa. The was also greeted with a surprise cameo by Julia Stiles, who stepped in to help Chloe Fineman with her reenactment of the balletic finale from 2001's Save the Last Dance.
Returning to Studio 8H for the first time was the night's musical guest: three-time Grammy winner Olivia Rodrigo, who recently released her second studio album, Guts. The former High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star also appeared in a faux infomercial for a hilarious fake product called a "Tiny Ass Bag."
Stream Adam Driver's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
December 16, 2023 - Kate McKinnon With Musical Guest Billie Eilish
SNL's Christmas show -- and final episode of 2023 -- saw the long-awaited return of one of the longest-running SNL cast members ever, Kate McKinnon. In her monologue -- during which Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig showed up for a reunion -- the Emmy winner reflected on how busy she has been since she left in 2022, such as with joining the Barbie cast as "Weird Barbie."
Barbie's co-writer and director, Academy Award nominee Greta Gerwig, appeared alongside McKinnon to introduce musical guest Billie Eilish's performance of the blockbuster's 2024 Golden Globe-nominated original song, "What Was I Made For?" After a later performance of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," the Grammy and Oscar winner starred in a new edition of "Whiskers R We" with the host.
Stream Kate McKinnon's Season 49 SNL episode on Peacock.
January 20, 2024 - Host Jacob Elordi With Musical Guest Reneé Rapp
The first SNL host of 2024 was Euphoria cast member Jacob Elordi, who is also known from Emerald Fennell's dark dramedy, Saltburn, and Sofia Coppola's acclaimed biopic, Priscilla, as Elvis Presley. The Australian actor brought his A game to a funny Bachelorette spoof, a dark Alaska Airlines satire, and more.
Serving as musical guest was Reneé Rapp, who made her feature film debut earlier in the month in the new Mean Girls cast as Regina George. The original Regina George, Rachel McAdams, introduced the pop star's second performance -- which also featured Meghan Thee Stallion -- before participating in a sketch as an aspiring actor annoyed by being mistaken for the Academy Award nominee.
Stream Jacob Elordi's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
January 27, 2024 - Host Dakota Johnson With Musical Guest Justin Timberlake
Returning to Studio 8H after nearly a decade for January 2024's last SNL show was Dakota Johnson -- the star of Madame Web, which opens February 14. In her monologue, the actor acknowledged that the episode also marked a reunion between her and fellow The Social Network cast member, Justin Timberlake, before he joined her on the stage to mention he was available for sketches. This was followed by a tease of a new "Barry Gibb Talk Show" when Jimmy Fallon appeared in full costume.
The Tonight Show host was not the only one making a surprise cameo on SNL that night. Barbara Corcoran and Mark Cuban showed up in a sketch starring Johnson as an aspiring Shark Tank participant, Timberlake's first musical performance included Tobe Nwigwe rapping his part in "Sanctified," and Dave Chappelle just happened to be on stage during the closing moments.
Stream Dakota Johnson's Season 49 SNL episode on Peacock.
Feburary 3, 2024 - Host Ayo Edebiri With Musical Guest Jennifer Lopez
Golden Globe and Emmy-winning The Bear cast member Ayo Edebiri took the stage at Studio 8H for the first time on the first SNL show of February 2024. After nearly choking up when expressing how much the show means to her at the beginning of her monologue, she went on to talk about her history in stand-up comedy, her life as a Bostonite of African-Caribbean descent, and revealed a few rejected sketch pitches, including one called "White Jeopardy." She appeared in the cold open to ask a question to presidential candidate Nikki Haley -- appearing as herself.
Appearing on SNL for her fifth time -- following two previous appearances as both a host and musical guest, one as just a musical guest, and one other just as a host -- was Jennifer Lopez. She was joined by Latto and REDMAN for her initial performance of "Can't Get Enough" and later played the title track from her new album, This Is Me... Now, which also has a semi-autobiographical companion film coming to Amazon Prime on February 16.
Stream Ayo Edebiri's Season 49 SNL episode on Peacock.
Feburary 24, 2024 - Host Shane Gillis With Musical Guest 21 Savage
Comedian Shane Gillis -- whose Netflix stand-up special, Beautiful Dogs, became a hit on the platform -- made his SNL debut as host on the last show of February 2024. At the very top of his monologue, he acknowledged how he was set to join the cast in 2019, but was fired before he could make his debut due to racist and homophobic remarks he made on his podcast, Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast.
The musical guest was 21 Savage, who also making his SNL debut that night. However, the rapper once did take the stage at a convincing recreation of Studio 8H in 2022 in his and Drake's music video for "BS," which also features a cameo by Michael B. Jordan.
Stream Shane Gillis' Season 49 SNL Episode on Peacock.
March 2, 2024 - Host Sydney Sweeney With Musical Guest Kacey Musgraves
In her monologue, first-time SNL host Sydney Sweeney poked fun at her role in the poorly received Madame Web and acknowledged rumors of her affair with Glen Powell before the fellow Anyone But You star made his first of two surprise appearances. Gina Gershon also made a cameo in a pre-taped bit that imagines cast member Bowen Yang as a straight man posing as gay.
The night marked the third Studio 8H appearance for Kacey Musgraves and first since October 2021. The country music star performed two tracks off of her latest album, Deeper Well, which releases March 15th.
Stream Sydney Sweeney's SNL Season 49 Episode on Peacock.
March 9, 2024 - Host Josh Brolin With Musical Guest Ariana Grande
The night before the 2024 Academy Awards, Josh Brolin returned to host SNL for the third time and, during his monologue, poked fun at a “weird” poem he wrote for his fellow Dune: Part Two cast member Timothée Chalamet. Earlier, Scarlett Johansson appeared as Sen. Katie Britt in a cold open recreating her response to the State the Union address.
Also coming back to SNL for a third time that night was Grammy winner Ariana Grande, who also appeared in two sketches: one taking place during a support group for serial people-pleasers and a Moulin Rouge parody. The star of the upcoming Wicked movie performed two songs (the second of which was introduced by her mother, Joan) from her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine, which was released the day before.
Stream Josh Brolin's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
March 30, 2024 - Host Ramy Youssef With Musical Guest Travis Scott
On the Saturday before Easter 2024, the Golden Globe-winning star of Hulu's Ramy and 2023's surreal drama, Poor Things, Ramy Youssef, hosted SNL for the first time. Also being a successful stand-up comedian, he treated the Studio 8H audience to some of his stand-up material, which also acknowledged the Islamic celebration of Ramadan happening at the same time.
Appearing at that night as the musical guest for his second time was Travis Scott, who released his most recent album, Utopia, in 2023. The Grammy-nominated rapper also appeared alongside Youssef and the guys from Please Don't Destroy in a video a night of clubbing gone wrong.
Stream Ramy Youssef's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
April 6, 2024 - Host Kristen Wiig With Musical Guest Raye
One of Studio 8H's most widely beloved alums, Kristen Wiig, joined the Five-Timer's Club on April 6. She acknowledged the induction in her monologue, featuring cameos by fellow member Paul Rudd and other celebrities who have not yet joined -- namely Martin Short, Will Forte, Jon Hamm, Matt Damon, Paul Rudd, Fred Armisen, Paula Pell, and Ryan Gosling -- but most of which received jackets anyway.
The Academy Award-nominated former SNL actor's cameo-heavy episode also featured an appearance by Wiig's fellow Palm Royale cast member Kaia Gerber in a faux trailer for a horror movie about pilates. The show also marked the first appearance of English singer-songwriter Raye as the musical guest, who performed two songs from her debut studio album, My 21st Century Blues.
Stream Kristen Wiig's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
April 13, 2024 - Host Ryan Gosling With Musical Guest Chris Stapleton
After bringing the house down at the Oscars with his phenomenal performance of Barbie's "I'm Just Ken," Ryan Gosling hosted his third SNL episode, which began with a new edition of the recurring "Alien Abduction" featuring Kate McKinnon. The three-time Academy Award nominee was then joined by Emily Blunt -- his co-star from the 2024 action movie, The Fall Guy, for a song reminiscent of last summer's Barbenheimer phenomenon.
Also appearing at Studio 8H for the third time that night was Chris Stapleton, who also participated in a pre-taped, music-video-style bit about a woman going too far to get back at her supposedly cheating ex-boyfriend. College basketball star Caitlin Clark also appeared on "Weekend Update" to give Michael Che some trouble for poking at the WNBA over the years.
Stream Ryan Gosling's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
May 4, 2024 - Host And Musical Guest Dua Lipa
Taking the stage for the first SNL episode in May 2024 was Dua Lipa, who previously made her acting debut in the Barbie cast as a mermaid before appearing in Argylle. In her opening monologue, the Grammy-winning English-Albanian model-turned-singer-songwriter gave a shoutout to her parents and provided examples of “radical optimism,” which is the title of her latest album.
The audience was also treated to a couple of songs from Radical Optimism -- the first of which was introduced by Troye Sivan. Lipa's second performance was introduced by Jerry Seinfeld, who previously appeared on "Weekend Update" to poke fun at some of the comments he made while doing press for Unfrosted.
Stream Dua Lipa's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
May 11, 2024 - Host Maya Rudolph With Musical Guest Vampire Weekend
Returning to host for her third time is former SNL cast member Maya Rudolph, who left the cast in 2007, is returning as the host for her third time and her second appearance this season, following her cameo this season alongside fellow Bridesmaids cast member, Kristen Wiig, for Kate McKinnon's holiday episode. Following a sweet Mother's Day greeting featuring most of the cast and their real moms, the Studio 8H's all-star performed a bizarre monologue in the style of a dance party program.
Speaking of SNL vets, the night also marked the fourth appearance of Vampire Weekend as the musical guests. The Manhattan-based indie rock quartet performed tracks from their fourth studio album, Only God Was Above Us, which was released earlier this year.
Stream Maya Rudolph's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
May 18, 2024 - Host Jake Gyllenhaal With Musical Guest Sabrina Carpenter
The honor of hosting SNL's Season 49 finale was given to Jake Gyllenhaal. The Academy Award nominee and Road House remake star had only headlined twice before, but he also made three additional cameos on Studio 8H over the years.
Sabrina Carpenter made her highly anticipated SNL debut as the music guest during the finale. The performer, also known for her work on Disney Channel's Girl Meets World and Amazon's Emergency, even showed up in a hilarious Scooby-Doo sketch alongside Gyllenhaal.
Stream Jake Gyllenhaal's SNL Season 49 episode on Peacock.
We wish we have been able to see Jennifer Coolidge — who, according to EW, was supposed to make her hosting debut on the Season 48 finale before its cancellation — on this list at some point. Maybe she will have her chance when SNL turns the big 5-0.
