Saturday Night Live Season 52
NBA Star Jalen Brunson and Dakota Johnson Named to SNL Season 52 Host Lineup
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Key Points
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Jalen Brunson was named MVP after leading the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship in 53 years, adding significant context to his SNL hosting debut.
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Brunson will be the first athlete to host SNL since Travis Kelce in March 2023 and the first active NBA player to host since LeBron James in 2007.
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KATSEYE’s SNL debut follows the release of its third EP, “WILD,” on August 14, as well as the group’s ongoing sold-out WILDWORLD tour.
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Dakota Johnson’s third hosting appearance comes shortly after the October 2 release of her film “Verity”; she previously hosted SNL in 2015 and 2024.
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The show’s season-52 cast is expected to remain relatively stable after last season’s overhaul, although Chloe Fineman left after seven seasons and writer and occasional performer Martin Herlihy departed after five.
Saturday Night Live kicks off its 52nd season on September 26 with New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson hosting and K-pop group KATSEYE performing. USA Today reports Brunson will be the first active NBA player to host since LeBron James in 2007, and the first athlete overall since Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in March 2023.
The season's first four episodes feature returning favorites Dakota Johnson, Shane Gillis, and rising star Inde Navarrette. All episodes air live at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and stream on Peacock, with the Halloween special airing October 31 after a two-week break.
Brunson Joins Historic Company as MVP Host
Brunson led the New York Knicks to their first NBA championship in 53 years and earned NBA Finals MVP honors. Daily Knicks notes his hosting debut cements his status as "the King of New York" and marks a major cultural moment for the franchise. Brunson averaged 32.6 points per game during the five-game championship run against San Antonio.
The Knicks captain brings his "deadpan humor" to Studio 8H during the offseason, taking the stage while still recovering from wrist surgery. His appearance represents rare crossover territory—few active professional athletes host the late-night sketch show.
Dakota Johnson Returns With Film Promotion Timing
Actress Dakota Johnson hosts for the third time on October 3, just one day after her film *Verity* hits theaters. She previously hosted SNL in 2015 and 2024. Rock band Turnstile joins as her musical guest, making their SNL debut alongside Johnson's return.
Shane Gillis and Halloween Special Continue Momentum
Comedian Shane Gillis hosts his third time on October 10 with Spanish singer Rosalía as the musical guest. Gillis recently saw his Netflix series *Tires* renewed for a fourth season and set two Guinness World Records. Rosalía returns to the show for her second appearance.
The season's fourth episode lands on Halloween, October 31, featuring actress Inde Navarrette making her hosting debut. Singer Gracie Abrams performs for the second time. Navarrette's appearance follows her breakout role in *Obsession* and upcoming roles in *X-Men* and *The Waffle House Index*.
SNL Stabilizes Cast After Recent Departures
The 52nd season keeps its core ensemble intact after significant restructuring in recent years. Veterans Kenan Thompson, Colin Jost, Michael Che, and Mikey Day anchor the cast alongside second-year featured players. The show finished Season 51 as the #1 broadcast comedy series in the 18–49 demographic and earned 11 Emmy nominations.
Notable departures include Chloe Fineman, who exited after seven seasons, and writer Martin Herlihy, who left after five seasons. The stability aims to build on last season's ratings success heading into the fall promotional cycle.
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