Pete Davidson's Surprise SNL Return: Ferry Fiasco, Fatherhood, and Future

Pete Davidson made a splash returning to Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update, dishing on his infamous Staten Island Ferry purchase, his unwavering loyalty to Lorne Michaels, and some big personal news.

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop

• Pete Davidson made a surprise return to SNL's Weekend Update on November 8, 2025, where he joked about his financially struggling Staten Island Ferry venture with Colin Jost.
• He reiterated his deep loyalty to SNL creator Lorne Michaels, stating he'd "do anything for Lorne" and would return as a cast member if asked.
• Davidson also confirmed he's expecting his first child with Elsie Hewitt, humorously linking his recent Saudi Arabia comedy gig to the ferry's mounting losses.

A Surprise "Weekend Update" Visit and a Financial Confession

Remember that decommissioned Staten Island Ferry Pete Davidson and Colin Jost bought together back in 2022? Well, it turns out that "$280,100" purchase might not have been the best investment. Davidson, whose last SNL appearance as a guest host was in October 2023, popped up unexpectedly on the "Weekend Update" segment on November 8, 2025, to address a recent New York Times article.

That article, published in October 2025, reportedly called their ferry venture a "money-losing fiasco." Davidson's response on air was classic Pete: "In case you're wondering why I had to do a show in Saudi Arabia, we're losing millions on this ferry." He even quipped, "I assume that's what the article says. I can't spend $5 on a paywall when I got a kid on the way." The joke, of course, confirmed another major life update: he's going to be a dad!

Unyielding Loyalty to Lorne Michaels and SNL's Enduring Appeal

Beyond the ferry jokes and baby news, Davidson made it clear where his professional heart truly lies. Speaking to People on November 8, 2025, the same day as his SNL return, he stated unequivocally that he would come back to the show if series creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels asked him to. "I owe that guy my life. He jump-started everything," Davidson shared. "I'd do anything for Lorne, and he knows that."

"I had a great time hosting last time, and anytime you get that call, it's an honor and a privilege. It's always relevant, it's a hot show. People look forward to it, and the cast is great."

— Pete Davidson on his continued admiration for SNL, November 8, 2025

Davidson, who joined SNL for its 40th season at just 20 years old, was one of the youngest cast members in the show's history. He spent eight seasons there, from 2014 to 2022, before moving on to other projects like co-writing and starring in "The King of Staten Island," and appearing in films such as "Fast X" and "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts." His recent return for "Weekend Update" also saw him poke fun at Michaels, joking that he's taught him to "never ever give up, even if everyone says the time has come and Tina Fey is ready to take over."

The Staten Island Ferry: A Dream, a Joke, and a Financial Saga

The saga of the Staten Island Ferry continues to be a blend of celebrity whimsy and real-world financial headaches. Purchased with Colin Jost, the plan was to transform the vessel into an entertainment venue. However, as of October 2025, it's reportedly still docked at a Staten Island shipyard, unused and accruing significant monthly fees. In June 2025, Jost, Davidson, and their business partners were even sued for nonpayment.

During their "Weekend Update" segment, Davidson and Jost found humor in the situation. They joked about renaming the ferry "The Titanic 2" because "The Staten Island Ferry" sounded too depressing. There's even a hopeful note: Nike apparently paid them to put an ad on it for the recent New York City Marathon. Davidson, ever the comedian, pitched a satirical solution during the segment: turning the ferry into "New Staten Island" for residents who threatened to leave New York if Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral election.

Example: Imagine a couple of friends at a bar, reminiscing about a wild idea they once had – say, buying an old ice cream truck to start a gourmet dessert business. They laugh about the initial excitement, the unexpected repair costs, and how it eventually became a storage unit. Davidson and Jost's ferry story captures that same blend of grand ambition meeting gritty reality, just on a much larger, more public scale.

The Riyadh Comedy Festival Controversy and Davidson's Defense

Davidson's joke about the ferry necessitating his trip to the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia highlighted a recent point of controversy for the comedian. Human Rights Watch criticized the festival as "Saudi Arabia’s latest attempt to deflect attention from its brutal repression of free speech and other pervasive human rights violations." Comedians performing there were reportedly required to sign contracts prohibiting jokes about religions or the Saudi royal family.

Davidson had previously addressed the criticism, especially given his personal connection to 9/11 (his father, a firefighter, died on that day). He told podcaster Theo Von that for him, it was "just another gig," and he agreed to it after seeing the substantial payment. This reflects a practical, if sometimes controversial, approach to his career choices.

Fatherhood on the Horizon: A New Chapter for Davidson

Perhaps the most significant news Pete Davidson shared was his impending fatherhood. He's expecting his first child with pregnant girlfriend Elsie Hewitt, an announcement they made in July 2025. Davidson's humor about his new role was evident on SNL: "I'm just excited to be a dad, and give it all the energy and enthusiasm I never had for this show."

In July 2025, he told E! News, "I'm very lucky and very, very happy. I assume you just try to give them what you didn't have, and what you didn't like, not do it." The couple has shared glimpses of their journey, including attending an ultrasound appointment and supporting the 13th Annual Blossom Ball, a charity event for endometriosis research, a cause important to Elsie Hewitt who is a self-described "endo warrior."

The Economics of "Saturday Night Live" Compensation

Davidson also touched upon the financial realities of being an SNL cast member, a topic that has generated discussion over the years. He once stated that his first SNL paycheck was "like, three grand an episode," which he spent on dinner. However, various reports suggest a tiered pay structure, with first-year cast members earning significantly more.

For example, Cosmopolitan reported that first-year cast members typically make around $7,000 per episode, totaling $140,000 for a 20-episode season. Pay increases with tenure, reaching up to $15,000 per episode for those who have been on the show for five seasons or more. This illustrates that while Davidson's early pay might have felt modest for a breakout star, the career opportunities and long-term earnings potential are substantial.

Key Takeaways from Pete Davidson's Latest Chapter

• Lorne Michaels Holds the Key: Davidson's loyalty to Michaels remains unwavering, signaling a strong possibility of future SNL appearances, or even a return as a cast member if the call comes.
• The Ferry Saga Continues: The Staten Island Ferry remains a costly, if comedic, venture. Its future as an entertainment venue is still up in the air, but at least it's getting some advertising gigs!
• Fatherhood is His New Focus: With a baby on the way, Davidson is clearly prioritizing this new personal chapter, bringing a fresh perspective to his life and career.
• Balancing Career and Controversy: Davidson continues to navigate professional opportunities, even those that draw criticism, often with a dose of self-aware humor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pete Davidson

Is Pete Davidson returning to SNL permanently? While Pete Davidson has expressed strong willingness to return as a cast member if asked by Lorne Michaels, his recent appearance was a surprise guest spot on "Weekend Update." No permanent return has been announced, but his loyalty makes it a recurring conversation.

What's the status of the Staten Island Ferry Pete Davidson bought? As of October 2025, the decommissioned ferry, purchased by Pete Davidson and Colin Jost in 2022 for $280,100, is still docked and unused in a Staten Island shipyard. It's reportedly incurring significant costs and has even led to a lawsuit for nonpayment in June 2025.

Is Pete Davidson really becoming a father? Yes, Pete Davidson confirmed he is expecting his first child with girlfriend Elsie Hewitt during his November 8, 2025, "Weekend Update" appearance. Elsie Hewitt announced her pregnancy in July 2025.

How long was Pete Davidson a cast member on Saturday Night Live? Pete Davidson was a main cast member on "Saturday Night Live" for eight seasons, from 2014 to 2022. He joined the show when he was 20 years old.

Sources:

• Andrew McGowan, "Pete Davidson Says He Would Come Back to ‘SNL’ if Lorne Michaels Wanted Him to: ‘I’d Do Anything For’ Him," Variety, Nov 8, 2025.
• Glenn Garner, "Pete Davidson says he owes Lorne Michaels his life," Deadline, Nov 8, 2025.
• E! News, "Pete Davidson Shares What He’s Cutting From His Life to Prepare for Fatherhood," Nov 8, 2025.
• McKinley Franklin, "Pete Davidson Makes Surprise ‘Saturday Night Live’ Appearance, Addresses Staten Island Ferry Controversy," The Hollywood Reporter, Nov 8, 2025.
• The Independent, "Pete Davidson names the one person who could convince him to return to SNL," Nov 8, 2025.
• Catherine Bouris, "Pete Davidson Crashes ‘SNL’ to Make Excuses for Saudi Fest," The Daily Beast, Nov 9, 2025.
• Vulture, "Pete Davidson Says His Ferry Dreams Are Still Afloat," Nov 9, 2025.
• Daniel Kreps, "Pete Davidson Crashes ‘SNL’ Weekend Update to Address Staten Island Ferry ‘Fiasco’," Rolling Stone, Nov 9, 2025.
• LateNighter, "Pete Davidson Returns to ‘Weekend Update’ to Talk Ferry, Joke About Lorne Michaels," Nov 9, 2025.