Comedy legend Amy Poehler is back to host Saturday Night Live with musical guest Role Model making his big debut this weekend, promising a memorable show for fans new and old.
TL;DR:
- Comedy icon Amy Poehler hosts SNL on October 11, marking her third time leading the iconic sketch comedy show.
- Breakout indie pop star Role Model (Tucker Pillsbury) is set to make his highly anticipated musical guest debut.
- Catch all the live sketches, music, and potential surprise cameos on NBC or stream live on Peacock at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT.
Alright, comedy fans, buckle up! After last week's electrifying Season 51 premiere with host Bad Bunny and musical guest Doja Cat, Saturday Night Live is ready to keep the good times rolling. This Saturday, October 11, we've got a seriously exciting lineup that combines beloved veteran talent with a fresh, rising music star. Get ready to welcome back the one and only Amy Poehler, who's returning to host alongside musical guest Role Model, making his big debut!
Amy Poehler's Triumphant Return to Studio 8H ComedyWe're absolutely thrilled to see Amy Poehler back in action, stepping onto the legendary Studio 8H stage for her third time hosting SNL. A true institution of the show, Poehler was a cast member from 2001 to 2008, where she absolutely solidified her status as a comedic powerhouse. Remember her iconic run on "Weekend Update" alongside Tina Fey? Pure gold!
Her hosting history is impressive, including a solo turn in 2010 and a riotous co-hosting stint with her longtime pal Tina Fey in 2015. This Saturday marks her second individual hosting appearance and third overall, and judging by the recent promos, she hasn't lost a step.
In one hilarious promo, Poehler playfully "serves court papers" to current cast member Bowen Yang, quipping, "You know what you did!" Another promo shows her comically trying to recall "memories" with new featured players Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska, only for Kam to perfectly deliver the punchline: "I was six." It's clear she's bringing that signature quick wit and fearless energy that made her an SNL legend and a household name with iconic characters and sketches over the years.
After leaving SNL, Poehler continued to shine, famously starring as the eternally optimistic Leslie Knope in Parks & Recreation. Her voice work as Joy in Disney and Pixar's Oscar-winning Inside Out captured hearts, and she's even stepped behind the camera, directing films like Wine Country and Moxie, and the documentary Lucy and Desi. Plus, her podcast, Good Hang with Amy Poehler, keeps her engaging with fascinating guests, further cementing her as a multi-talented force in entertainment.
"Role Model, that kind of diva behavior doesn’t fly around here."
— Amy Poehler, in a hilarious SNL promo
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Role Model Rocks the Stage for His Highly Anticipated SNL Debut
Making his very first appearance as a musical guest on SNL is the incredibly talented indie pop artist, Role Model. Born Tucker Pillsbury on May 15, 1997, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, this 28-year-old singer-songwriter has been steadily building a huge following, and his career is absolutely taking off.
Role Model's journey to music stardom is pretty unique. He initially moved to Pittsburgh in 2016 to study film at Point Park University. However, a couple of unfortunate skiing and skateboarding accidents left him with two broken wrists, confining him to his dorm room. This unexpected downtime became his creative launchpad! With friends' music equipment at hand, he started experimenting with Logic Pro and recording early rap mixtapes. When his grades began to suffer, he decided to drop out and pursue music full-time.
After an early stint releasing music under "Tucker" and "Dillis," he fully embraced the "Role Model" moniker in 2017, shifting to a more melodic, singing style. He quickly caught the attention of none other than Mac Miller and eventually signed with Interscope Records. His most recent album, Kansas Anymore (which was reissued as Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye)), garnered significant buzz, and he even joined Gracie Abrams on her world tour. Last month, his breakout hit, "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out," soared to the top of the Adult Alternative Airplay chart, marking his first-ever Billboard No. 1.
Now, the big question on everyone's mind for his SNL performance: Who will get to be "Sally"? For live performances of "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out," Role Model traditionally brings a celebrity or audience member onstage for a mid-song dance break. Our own Bowen Yang already took on the "Sally" role during Role Model's Tonight Show debut back in April. While Yang could reprise the role, many fans (and us!) are dreaming of a surprise appearance from Molly Shannon's iconic half-centenarian character, Sally O'Malley! Talk about a moment!
And if you thought music was his only talent, think again! Tucker Pillsbury is also making his acting debut alongside Natalie Portman and Mark Ruffalo in an upcoming Netflix romantic comedy titled Good Sex, directed by Lena Dunham. From Cape Elizabeth to chart-topping hits and Hollywood, Role Model is definitely a star on the rise.
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Season 51 So Far: Fresh Faces and Familiar Favorites
Season 51 kicked off strong last week, October 4, with Bad Bunny doing double duty as host and musical guest Doja Cat. The premiere gave us a glimpse of the new talent joining the cast this year. Jeremy Culhane had the distinction of being the very first new player on camera, while Kam Patterson made his exciting "Weekend Update" debut, and Veronika Slowikowska appeared in multiple sketches. We're excited to see what else these fresh faces bring to the table!
Bowen Yang also continued his beloved tradition of launching a new "Update" character, introducing Dobby the House Elf. The sketch saw Dobby experiencing a hilarious wardrobe malfunction, prompting the memorable line, "Dobby's come undone!" Yang later clarified on Instagram that the "SNL costume department's fatigues are VERY well made," assuring fans it was all part of the improv magic.
This season's full cast includes a mix of seasoned veterans and promising new talent:
Repertory Players:
- Mikey Day
- Andrew Dismukes
- Chloe Fineman
- Marcello Hernández
- James Austin Johnson
- Colin Jost (Weekend Update Co-Anchor)
- Michael Che (Weekend Update Co-Anchor)
- Sarah Sherman
- Kenan Thompson
- Bowen Yang
Featured Players:
- Tommy Brennan
- Jeremy Culhane
- Ben Marshall
- Ashley Padilla
- Kam Patterson
- Veronika Slowikowska
- Jane Wickline
Sadly, we said goodbye to some familiar faces this season, including Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim. But the new additions are ready to make their mark!
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How to Catch All the Live Saturday Night Fun
Ready to tune in for Amy Poehler and Role Model? You definitely won't want to miss this! The new episode of Saturday Night Live airs this Saturday, October 11, at its usual time of 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT on NBC.
If you're not near a television, no worries! You can seamlessly stream the episode live on NBC's dedicated streaming platform, Peacock. And if you happen to miss the live broadcast, don't fret – the full episode will be available to stream the very next day on Peacock, so you can catch up whenever you're ready.
For those looking for other ways to watch, especially if you're trying out new services, here are some streaming platforms that carry NBC and often offer free trials:
- Fubo TV: Offers a 7-day free trial.
- DirecTV Stream: Provides a 5-day free trial.
- Hulu + Live TV: You can often get a 3-day free trial, though some limitations may apply based on your geographic area.
You can also use online channel finders for providers like Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV, and Dish to locate NBC in your area.
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A Hidden 50th Anniversary for Saturday Night Live?
Here's a fun fact that makes this episode even more special: October 11, 2025, actually marks the exact 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live's very first episode, which premiered on October 11, 1975! While the major 50th-anniversary celebrations went down earlier this year, it's pretty magical timing that this milestone falls on a Saturday night with a beloved alum hosting.
With Amy Poehler steering the ship, there's always a chance for surprise cameos. We're certainly keeping our eyes peeled for potential appearances from fellow SNL legends like Tina Fey or Maya Rudolph, who are often in the mix for big reunion moments. And who knows? Maybe even some original cast members, like Garrett Morris or Laraine Newman (who appeared in the SNL50 special), could pop in to celebrate this half-century mark. Bill Murray, who joined in Season 2, also made an appearance in the anniversary special, so anything's possible!
This episode promises to be a memorable one, blending classic SNL humor with exciting new performances and maybe, just maybe, an extra layer of history. Don't miss out!
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Week's SNL
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