Hosting wish list for Season 51

We don’t know yet who will host the season opener of Season 50 of Saturday Night Live. That episode will air on October 4.

But we do know that five new performers will be in the cast for S51. We also know that Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim have left the cast.

Bill Hader

Of any cast member that debuted in the show this century, Bill Hader seems like the performer most suited to host the show many, many times. He’s brilliant in sketches, has perfect instincts to make others look great, and he can do impressions. Hader also performs one of the most iconic characters in SNL history in Stefon.

But, Bill Hader has only hosted twice: in Season 40 and Season 43. That was just a few years after he left the cast. Both of his hosting appearances were excellent episodes. However, he hasn’t hosted since March of 2018.

In recent years Hader has shared how difficult his tenure on the show was. He had panic attacks, suffered from anxiety, and claims to have blacked out during a sketch. Last season, Hader opted not to attend the 50th anniversary weekend, citing concerns over the stress of being in that environment.

But fans hope Hader can find a way to return to SNL to host again. He has the perfect skill-set to be a legendary host. Probably only Will Ferrell and Martin Short (among former cast members) has been so great at delivering excellent episodes as host.

Gal Gadot

SNL is always seeking current stars who have a vehicle: a show, album, movie. Later this year, Gadot will be ion movie screens as the the Evil Queen in Disney’s live action remake of Snow White. If Lorne (and Disney) want to leverage that publicity, we could see one of the sexiest hosts ever return.

Gadot hosted Episode 2 of Season 43, with musical guest Sam Smith. Only Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, and Colin Jost are still in the cast from that one.

This may be a long shot, but Gadot has a relationship with SNL already, and she’s a bigger star than anyone who make sense as a host that has a movie coming out later this year.

Justin Timberlake

Not since Season 38 has Justin Timberlake been a host. That was when he became a Five-Timer. JT has returned as a musical guest since, but fans are waiting for his return to host.

It’s now been more than a decade since Timberlake was with Andy Samberg and the rest of the cast on stage at Studio 8H. One could start to wonder if JT’s skills are not suited for the modern SNL. But that’s a mistake.

Honed in the Mickey Mouse Club, Timberlake is a triple-threat. More than probably any other celebrity of the 21st century, Timberlake is a host who truly has the requisite skills to be a cast member. A return in the 2025-26 season would be an event and deliver big ratings for the slumping show.

Will Ferrell

Once every five years or so since he left the cast, SNL legend Will Ferrell, who ranks in the top five among cast members, returns for a hosting gig. The last time was Season 45, when Ferrell joined the Five-Timers Club.

We can’t think of a better way to usher in a new era of SNL than to have Ferrell helm a can’t-miss episode. It really doesn’t matter who the cast members are: when Will comes back, it’s a good show. How about a Christmas episode?

Abby Elliott

The former cast member is now one of the most wonderful things you’ll find in the fantastic ensemble The Bear. That show will return in the spring of 2026 for Season 5. Which would be a perfect opportunity for Abby to come back to Studio 8H. Bonus: she could bring her hilarious father Chris Elliott along for cameos.

Adam Driver

Every two to three seasons since 2016, quintessential New Yorker Adam Driver (he actually lives in Brooklyn) has hosted SNL. One more visit and Driver will join the Five-Timers Club. His last appearance as host was in Season 49.

With his characteristic intensity, Driver is a unique comedic presence on the show. He shines in sketches, much like Christopher Walken, because well…there’s no one really like him.

Driver can fit in with any cast. An appearance in Season 51 would pair him with some new faces.

Who would you like to see host in Season 50? Tell us in the comments section.