Ariana Grande made a triumphant return to “Saturday Night Live” for her third hosting gig, marking her first time back since 2016 when there was the potential for the first female president to be elected. The 31-year-old singer and actor joked about the timing, saying, “The last time I hosted was in 2016, and we were right on the verge of electing our first female president,” before adding, “So, I guess, second time’s the charm?” Grande, who first hosted the show in 2014, took the stage without also serving as the musical guest, with that role being filled by Stevie Nicks.
During her monologue, Grande promised not to sing but ended up breaking into a song anyway. She teased the audience by vowing not to do her famous impressions of Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, and Gwen Stefani but later incorporated snippets of each into her performance. Additionally, she did a longer version of her Celine Dion impression in a sketch later in the show. Grande’s hosting appearance coincided with the promotion of her upcoming movie musical “Wicked,” a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” set to be released next month, where she plays the role of Glinda the good witch.
This season of “SNL” has seen a spike in ratings, likely due to the show’s 50th season celebration and the ongoing election season. The latest episode featured Maya Rudolph reprising her role as Vice President Kamala Harris in the cold open, alongside former cast members returning as guest stars. The episode also included Stevie Nicks as the musical guest, her first appearance on the show in over 40 years. Nicks performed her new single “The Lighthouse” and also sang the classic hit “Edge of Seventeen.”
Looking ahead, Michael Keaton is scheduled to host the next episode with Billie Eilish as the musical guest, followed by John Mulaney and Chappell Roan. The 50th season of “SNL” has brought about a sense of reflection and nostalgia, with various tributes and celebrations planned, including a three-hour primetime special in February to mark the official 50th season milestone. Stay tuned for more exciting episodes and memorable moments from the iconic sketch comedy show.