Miles Teller & Brandi Carlile Bring Big Laughs and Soul to SNL Season 51!

Miles Teller returned to host Saturday Night Live, joining musical guest Brandi Carlile for an episode packed with sharp political humor, relatable everyday struggles, and some seriously memorable performances – even if a few moments didn't quite hit the mark.

TL;DR

• Miles Teller hosted SNL for his second time on November 1, 2025, with Brandi Carlile as the musical guest.
• Highlights included the "NYC Mayoral Debate" cold open, the "White House Makeover" sketch, a hilarious "Hungover Halloween Game Show," and a surprisingly insightful "Gone Without a Trace" Netflix spoof.
• While Brandi Carlile wowed with "Church & State" and "Human," some viewers noted sound quality issues, and Teller's monologue received mixed reviews.

Miles Teller Takes the Stage Again, Setting the Bar High for Season 51

Alright, Saturday Night Live fans, let's talk about the latest episode that just aired on November 1, 2025! After a brief hiatus, Studio 8H came back with a bang, and we had none other than the charismatic Miles Teller in the host's chair for his second go-around. You might remember him from the Season 48 premiere, and he's been busy since, with a new fantasy rom-com called Eternity, co-starring Elizabeth Olsen and Callum Turner, on the horizon. His return was highly anticipated, and honestly, the episode set a pretty high bar for the rest of Season 51.

Before the show even aired, Teller gave us a glimpse into his comedic mind in a few promos. One had him pitching a "Cool Pope" sketch (baptisms in a hot tub, anyone?). Another saw him getting hilariously distracted by new cast member Jeremy Culhane's intense hotdog eating contest training. And who could forget the one where he, along with Brandi Carlile, had to dole out compliments to cast members Andrew Dismukes and Ashley Padilla? It was all building up to a night where we knew we'd get some solid laughs.

A Monologue That Left Viewers Cringing, But Miles Took It in Stride

Let's address the elephant in the room right away: Miles Teller's monologue. While his acting chops are undeniable and he's generally a cool guy, his opening monologue didn't quite land with everyone. He touched on childhood Halloween costumes (hello, Roxbury Guys!), joked about how much alcohol he drank before the show (a classic SNL host trope), and even mentioned his family losing their home in the Palisades fire. Oof.

Some viewers on YouTube were pretty direct, calling it "terrible" and admitting they were "cringing and feeling very uncomfortable with second-hand embarrassment." One commenter even said, "Wow, he was so embarrassed and shy. He looked like he hated every minute of it. I was sitting here cringing and feeling very uncomfortable with my second-hand embarrassment. Poor Miles." Hey, not every joke can be a home run, and even the best hosts have a shaky start. But don't worry, Miles quickly found his footing, because the sketches that followed? Those were largely fantastic.

Brandi Carlile Delivers Raw Emotion (Despite a Minor Tech Glitch)

Joining Miles Teller was the incredible Brandi Carlile, gracing the SNL stage for her fourth time as musical guest, and her third as a solo artist! Carlile, 44, known for her powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics, performed two tracks from her latest album, Returning to Myself, which dropped just a week prior on October 24, 2025. This album even features a tribute to her long-time collaborator and friend, Joni Mitchell.

Her performances of "Church & State" and "Human" were, as expected, full of raw emotion and musical prowess. Carlile always brings a captivating presence, and she absolutely poured her soul into these songs. However, a few eagle-eyed (and ear-tuned) viewers noticed a bit of an "oops" moment. Some online comments pointed out that the sound quality, particularly for "Church & State," wasn't up to par. "Why is the audio for SNL musical guest videos always so bad?" one person lamented, with another noting, "Something is off with the harmonies and the backup singer mix." It's a shame that a technical hiccup slightly overshadowed such powerful performances, but it certainly didn't diminish Carlile's talent or the impact of her music.

The Sketches That Hit Hard and Sparked Conversation

This episode was a masterclass in modern sketch comedy, blending sharp political satire with incredibly relatable, and sometimes painfully funny, observations about daily life. The writers truly reminded us that SNL, even after half a century, still knows how to deliver. From the cold open to the deeper cuts, let's dive into what made this episode shine.

Kicking Things Off with a Stellar NYC Mayoral Debate Cold Open

The episode wasted no time getting political with a "NYC Mayoral Debate Cold Open." This sketch was praised for being one of the best cold opens in a long time, and we totally agree! Miles Teller stepped into the shoes of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, bringing a familiar, slightly slick energy to the role. He was joined by Shane Gillis as Curtis Sliwa and Ramy Youssef as Zohran Mamdani, all vying for the city's top job.

What made this cold open particularly brilliant was its even-handed (yet utterly biting) satire. It took shots at all three candidates, and even threw in some extra "love" for James Austin Johnson's spot-on President Donald Trump and Kam Patterson's Mayor Eric Adams. Gillis, in particular, was highlighted for delivering one of his best SNL sketch performances, proving that when the writing and acting click, political humor can be both insightful and side-splittingly funny.

"Weekend Update" Delivered Both Flirtation and Killer Impersonations

Colin Jost and Michael Che always bring their A-game to "Weekend Update," but this episode featured some standout guest segments that truly elevated the experience. First up, we had Andrew Dismukes and Ashley Padilla appearing as a flirtatious pair who had just hooked up. Their conversation, ostensibly about the government shutdown, quickly devolved into a series of hilariously suggestive innuendos. Padilla's comment, "Democrats just need to say, 'Look, it's too big. Would you be willing to try something smaller?'" followed by Dismukes' gaze and Padilla's coy reply, "Yeah, who knows. Republicans might even say, 'smaller sounds great,'” was pure comedic gold. This segment was easily one of the best moments of the night, lauded by viewers for its cleverness and the performers' chemistry.

Then, making a highly anticipated return, was Bowen Yang's absolutely killer impersonation of George Santos. Remember the politician whose ability to... shall we say, embellish the truth, was so legendary it almost seemed like a superpower? Yang's Santos was back with a vengeance, claiming he hosted SNL, won the World Series, and was even prison buddies with Luigi Mangione. The visual gag of him using a prison visitation room divider and phone for his calls was a stroke of genius. It was a perfect blend of topical humor and sharp character work, reminding everyone why Yang's Santos is a fan-favorite.

"White House Makeover": A Hilarious and Cutting Political Commentary

The "White House Makeover" sketch was another home run, proving that SNL can still deliver powerful political commentary wrapped in a hilarious package. Miles Teller took on the role of one of "The Property Brothers," Jonathan or Drew Scott, called in to help renovate the White House. But this wasn't just any renovation; it was after James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump and Chloe Fineman's Melania Trump had overseen the demolition of the East Wing.

Johnson's Trump impersonation has become legendary, with viewers commenting that "he even has the neck right." Fineman's Melania accent and demeanor were equally praised, with one viewer stating, "Chloe does a great Melania accent." The sketch brilliantly spotlighted the absurdity of Trump's actions, from his desire for a "huge" new ballroom to the darkly comedic reveal that renovations were delayed because he had deported all the construction workers. It hit hard on issues like ICE and the rumblings of Trump's desire to never leave the White House. This was hailed as the "best skit in a long time" and even the "best skit of the season for me so far" by viewers, showcasing SNL's continued ability to skewer the powerful with sharp wit.

The "Hungover Halloween Game Show": A Relatable Dive into Post-Party Regrets

If you've ever woken up after a wild Halloween night with a foggy memory and a pounding head, the "Hungover Halloween Game Show" (also known as "What Did I Do Last Night?") was probably your favorite sketch. Kenan Thompson, as the gleefully sadistic game show host Gay Fopay, put hungover contestants through the wringer, forcing them to recall their drunken antics to win prizes like Pedialyte and a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich.

Miles Teller, dressed as a corn on the cob (naturally), played Kenneth from New Jersey, who admitted to "clawing the castle" (drinking 14 White Claws and then eating White Castle). His misadventures included puking in a random person's Camry and getting a black eye from a boy whose corn costume he stole. Ben Marshall as a vampire and Veronika Slowikowska as a "sexy cat" also added to the chaotic fun. Slowikowska, in particular, was praised for perfectly capturing the "near-blackout-drunk" experience, making anyone who's been there feel seen. The punishments, like listening to a terrible saxophone player or being forced to catch up with an annoying high school acquaintance, were just icing on the hilarious, headache-inducing cake. Thompson's portrayal of that friend who enjoys reminding you of your mistakes was spot-on, making this sketch a huge hit for its relatability and comedic performances.

"Gone Without a Trace": A Satirical Look at the "Mental Load"

One of the most talked-about sketches of the night was "Gone Without a Trace," a brilliant spoof of Netflix's true-crime documentaries. This segment didn't just aim for laughs; it cleverly tapped into a significant societal issue known as the "mental load."

The sketch presented itself as a trailer for a new docuseries, tracking three men—played by Miles Teller (Doug), Ben Marshall, and Kenan Thompson—whose wives had "mysteriously disappeared." The husbands recount their versions of events through sit-down interviews and security-camera footage, painting themselves as bewildered victims.

However, the twist (and the genius) came from the "never-before-seen interviews" with the wives, played by Veronika Slowikowska, Ashley Padilla, and Sarah Sherman. It turns out, their disappearances weren't mysterious at all! Two wives were simply traveling, with Slowikowska's exasperated character stating, "I had told Doug about it maybe 45 times." Sherman's character had merely been in the bathroom for an extended period. The husbands, left to fend for themselves, quickly unraveled. Teller's character, Doug, found "cryptic notes" (Post-its) on the fridge instructing him to heat food and do laundry, prompting him to cry out, "Is this a game to you?"

This sketch perfectly animated the concept of the "mental load"—the unspoken, often invisible, work that women in heterosexual partnerships typically take on to manage household and family life. Studies consistently show that women disproportionately handle tasks like managing calendars, remembering appointments, and ensuring daily chores are done. The humor stemmed from the men's utter cluelessness, only realizing the extent of their wives' responsibilities when forced to manage them alone.

The SNL parody cleverly used the true-crime framework to present "evidence" that contradicted the husbands' oblivious assertions. One wife had circled, starred, and added arrows to a calendar, clearly marking her work trip, yet her husband was still lost. Padilla's character, for instance, had repeatedly told her husband (played by Thompson) that she was visiting her sister upstate, even with bags in hand, only for him to later claim, "there was no way I could have known." By satirizing this cluelessness as a high-stakes investigation, SNL made a sharp comment on these fraught domestic dynamics, illustrating how some men fail to recognize the "warning signs" of their partners' frustrations until they're left helpless.

The "Italian Restaurant Date": A Missed Opportunity?

Not every sketch can be a hit, and the "Italian Restaurant Date" unfortunately fell into the "worst" category for many viewers. Miles Teller and Marcello Hernández played two flirtatious waiters who repeatedly interrupted a couple's romantic dinner, with Kenan Thompson appearing as the chef. While the intention was likely comedic, the execution didn't quite land.

Viewers felt the sketch "needed more work to make the jokes funny" and many complained about the reliance on "s-- on Italians to make it funny," citing it as perpetuating ethnic stereotypes. Some even compared it unfavorably to classic skits featuring legends like Dana Carvey, Adam Sandler, and Rob Schneider, suggesting it was a less original and less funny version of similar concepts. It just goes to show that even with a strong cast, not every idea translates perfectly to the live stage.

Season 51: What We've Seen So Far and What's Coming Next

Miles Teller and Brandi Carlile's episode was the fourth of what's shaping up to be an exciting Season 51 of Saturday Night Live. Let's take a quick look back at who's graced Studio 8H before this episode and who we can look forward to.

The season kicked off strong on October 4, 2025, with music superstar Bad Bunny pulling double duty as both host and musical guest (though he was listed as host with Doja Cat as musical guest according to some sources, then Bad Bunny & Doja Cat together). The following week, on October 11, SNL celebrated its 50th birthday with the return of beloved alum Amy Poehler as host and Role Model as the musical guest. Then, on October 18, Sabrina Carpenter took over as both host and musical guest, delivering the season's first spooky Halloween sketch.

This season also brought some fresh faces to the cast: Ben Marshall, Veronika Slowikowska, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, and Kam Patterson. We've already seen Marshall, Slowikowska, Patterson, and Culhane making their mark in this episode, and it's exciting to watch new talent emerge!

Of course, with new additions, there were also some departures. Long-time cast members Heidi Gardner (after eight seasons) and Ego Nwodim (after seven seasons) both exited, along with Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow (after three seasons), and Emil Walker (after one season). It's always bittersweet to see beloved cast members go, but the returning favorites like Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, and James Austin Johnson continue to anchor the show with their incredible talent.

Mark Your Calendars: More Exciting Episodes Ahead!

The fun doesn't stop here! SNL is continuing its three-week run of new episodes:

• November 8: Comedian and actress Nikki Glaser will make her hosting debut, joined by first-time musical guest Sombr (Shane Michael Boose), a TikTok sensation.
• November 15: Top Gun: Maverick co-star Glen Powell will host for the first time, with UK singer Olivia Dean making her musical guest debut.

So, keep those Saturday nights free, because there's plenty more laughter, music, and timely satire coming our way!

Why This Episode Matters: SNL Still Knows How to Strike Gold

This episode with Miles Teller and Brandi Carlile truly highlighted SNL's enduring power. Despite a few bumps in the road (we're looking at you, monologue!), the show demonstrated its ability to blend celebrity star power with sharp, relevant comedy. The standout sketches—especially the political cold open, the clever "Weekend Update" segments, the incisive "White House Makeover," and the deeply relatable "Hungover Halloween Game Show"—showed that when the writing and performances align, SNL is still a cultural force.

The "Gone Without a Trace" sketch, in particular, proved that comedy can also be a powerful tool for social commentary, addressing issues like the "mental load" in a way that resonates with a broad audience. It's this blend of pure absurdity, political bite, and thoughtful observation that keeps us coming back Saturday after Saturday.

As Season 51 rolls on, this episode definitely set a high bar, reminding us why we tune in to see what kind of hilarious, thought-provoking, and occasionally cringeworthy moments Studio 8H will deliver next. Whether you loved every minute or had a few quibbles, it was undoubtedly an episode that got people talking.

Frequently Asked Questions About SNL Season 51

When does Saturday Night Live air? Saturday Night Live airs live on Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. EST / 8:30 p.m. PST. Where can I watch the latest SNL episodes? You can watch new episodes live on NBC. They are also available to stream live and on-demand on Peacock. What is the run-time for a typical SNL episode? A typical episode of Saturday Night Live is 90 minutes long, including commercials. How can I catch up on old SNL sketches? All sketches from every single episode of Saturday Night Live are available to stream anytime on Peacock.

Sources

• People.com - "Miles Teller and Brandi Carlile Hit the Saturday Night Live Stage — See the Best, Worst and 'Oops' Moments" (Nicholas Rice, Updated November 2, 2025)
• The Atlantic - "SNL’s True-Crime Spoof Is Really About the ‘Mental Load’" (Original article on The Atlantic, quoted in other sources)
• Rolling Stone - "Miles Teller Gets Hungover in ‘What Did I Do Last Night?’ Sketch on ‘SNL’" (William Vaillancourt, November 2, 2025)
• Boston.com - "'Saturday Night Live' returns for fourth episode of Season 51 with Miles Teller, Brandi Carlile" (Kevin Slane, November 2, 2025)
• NBC Insider - "Is Saturday Night Live New Tonight? Check Out the November 1 Host & Musical Guest" (Lauren Piester, Nov 1, 2025)
• Newsweek - "Who Is Hosting SNL Tonight?" (Khaleda Rahman, November 1, 2025)
• Deadline - "Nikki Glaser & Glen Powell To Make ‘SNL’ Hosting Debuts In November; Miles Teller Returns For Second Stint" (Tom Tapp, October 30, 2025)
• Bleeding Cool - "SNL Cast/Writers, Miles Teller, Brandi Carlile Set the Season 51 Bar" (Ray Flook, Sun, 02 Nov 2025)
• Primetimer - "When will Saturday Night Live season 51 return with a new episode? Details explored" (Stephany Montero, Sunday 11/2/2025)