Saturday Night Live returned for its 51st season on October 3 with a high-energy premiere hosted by Bad Bunny and featuring Doja Cat as the musical guest. The episode delivered an energetic mix of comedy, music, and surprise appearances, marking a strong start to the new season.
The 31-year-old Latin rapper hosted the show for the second time, while Doja Cat made her debut as an SNL performer, singing “AAAHH MEN!” and “Gorgeous” from her new album.
During his opening monologue, Bad Bunny joked about his dance skills before being interrupted by actor Jon Hamm, who danced enthusiastically from the audience. The host also teased his upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance and encouraged fans to learn Spanish within four months.
Among the sketches, highlights included Bad Bunny portraying a man inventing the Spanish language, a confused Jeopardy! contestant, and a charming “hot dad” during a parent-teacher conference. The “Inventing Spanish” sketch featured a surprise cameo by actor Benicio del Toro, who joked about rolling the letter “R” and suggested creating the “siesta.”
Doja Cat’s performances added a striking visual contrast, with bold 1980s-inspired outfits and powerful vocals. Her stage presence was widely praised by fans on social media following the broadcast.
The “Weekend Update” segment, hosted by Colin Jost and Michael Che, tackled topics including the government shutdown, Donald Trump’s proposed peace plans, and the FDA’s approval of a generic abortion pill.
Other notable moments included a parody of El Chavo del Ocho, one of Bad Bunny’s favorite childhood shows, reimagined with the SNL cast.
The premiere brought together humor, star power, and Latin culture, signaling a vibrant start for SNL’s 51st season.
