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Who’s hosting Saturday Night Live this week? Updates for Season 51 Finale on 5/16/26

Who’s hosting Saturday Night Live this week? Updates for Season 51 Finale on 5/16/26

Published:

By: Cooper Albers

Saturday Night Live is rolling out the red carpet for this weekend’s star-studded season finale.

Comedy legend Will Ferrell will anchor SNL’s 51st season on May 16 alongside musical guest and rock icon Paul McCartney.

The fan-favorite alumnus returns to Studio 8H to host for a sixth time ahead of his upcoming Netflix comedy series, “The Hawk,” which hits streaming on July 16.

The Anchorman and Step Brothers star, 58, starred as a cast member on the sketch comedy series from 1995 to 2002. During his tenure, he delivered several iconic performances, including “More Cowbell,” “Celebrity Jeopardy!,” and “Spartan Cheerleaders,” among countless others. 

Ferrell later joined SNL’s fabled Five-Timers Club as a host, last headlining in November 2019. He’s also made a handful of cameos over the years, most recently at the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special in February 2025. 

McCartney, 83, will return as musical guest for the fifth time. He also performed at the 50th Anniversary Special — along with the 40th — closing the three-hour show with the last three songs on The Beatles’ 1969 album Abbey Road. The living legend hits the SNL stage before the release of his 21st studio album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, on May 29.


Saturday Night Live FAQ

Who is hosting Saturday Night Live this week?

Actor Will Ferrell will host Saturday Night Live (Season 51, Episode 20) on Saturday, May 16, alongside musical guest Paul McCartney.

How to watch Saturday Night Live?

Saturday Night Live airs on NBC and Peacock at 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT. New episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock, along with all of SNL‘s previous episodes.

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