Wondering if Saturday Night Live is new tonight, September 5, 2026? The answer is no. NBC is airing a repeat episode of the long-running sketch comedy show as it continues its summer hiatus ahead of the Season 52 premiere.
Instead of a brand-new episode, viewers will get the chance to revisit one of Season 51’s most talked-about installments, featuring pop star Sabrina Carpenter as both host and musical guest. The repeat comes just days before the 2026 Emmy Awards, where SNL is competing for 11 awards. The show remains the most Emmy-nominated programme in television history.
Is SNL New Tonight, September 5, 2026?
No, Saturday Night Live is not airing a new episode tonight. NBC is bringing back a previously aired Season 51 episode instead. The repeat will air in the show’s usual late-night slot on NBC and will also be available to stream on Peacock.
SNL is currently between seasons after Season 51 wrapped up in May 2026. Fans will have to wait a little longer for the comedy series to return with new sketches and a fresh lineup of hosts and musical guests.
Which SNL Episode Is Airing Tonight?
Tonight’s repeat is the October 18, 2025 episode hosted by Sabrina Carpenter. Carpenter pulled double duty as host and musical guest, marking her first time hosting SNL. She had previously appeared as a musical guest on the show. The episode came shortly after the release of her album Man’s Best Friend, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
What Happened In Sabrina Carpenter’s SNL Episode?
Carpenter’s episode became one of the memorable installments of Season 51, particularly because of its musical and pop-culture-heavy sketches. The show opened with a Domingo cold open, while Carpenter also appeared in several sketches throughout the episode.
Among the other highlights were the “Shop TV: Pillow” and “Boys Podcast” sketches, which showcased Carpenter’s comedic side and gave viewers a glimpse of how comfortably she handled the SNL format.
What Songs Did Sabrina Carpenter Perform On SNL?
As the musical guest, Carpenter performed two songs from Man’s Best Friend — “Manchild” and “Nobody’s Son.” The episode gave fans both sides of the pop star: Carpenter the comedian and actor in the sketches, and Carpenter the performer on the musical stage.
Her double-duty appearance also became a notable milestone in her growing relationship with the show.
When Does SNL Season 52 Premiere?
Fans waiting for a brand-new SNL episode won’t have to wait indefinitely. Season 52 is scheduled to return later this month, with NBC announcing the new season’s premiere for September 26, 2026.
That means the September 5 repeat is essentially a chance for viewers to revisit a popular Season 51 episode before the show officially returns.
Why Is SNL In The Headlines Ahead Of The Emmys?
The timing of the repeat is particularly interesting because the 2026 Emmy Awards are just around the corner. SNL has received 11 Emmy nominations this year, including recognition for the programme itself and a nomination for Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series category.
The 78th Emmy Awards are scheduled for September 14, giving SNL another reason for fans to revisit some of its standout Season 51 moments.
