Is SNL new tonight? Melissa McCarthy hosts August 22 repeat
No, SNL is not new on Saturday, August 22, 2026. NBC is airing a repeat of Melissa McCarthy's December 6, 2025 episode with musical guest Dijon while the show remains on summer hiatus until Season 52 premieres later this fall. Watch at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Saturday Night Live fans asking whether SNL is new tonight got a clear answer ahead of the August 22 broadcast: it is a rerun, not a fresh episode. With Season 51 wrapped since the May 16 Will Ferrell finale, NBC has filled the 11:30 p.m. ET slot with highlights from the 2025-2026 season, and Melissa McCarthy's return leads the lineup.
Key Takeaways
- SNL is on hiatus; no new episode airs August 22, 2026.
- Tonight's repeat features host Melissa McCarthy and musical guest Dijon from December 6, 2025.
- It marks McCarthy's sixth time hosting and her first SNL appearance in eight years.
- Season 52 premieres later this fall; the studio-audience ticket lottery closes August 31.
- All 51 past seasons stream on Peacock while fans wait for new episodes.
Is there a new episode of SNL tonight, August 22, 2026?
No. SNL is on hiatus until Season 52 premieres later this fall. The latest season ended on May 16 with the Will Ferrell-hosted season finale, and tonight's broadcast is a repeat.
Since that finale, NBC has aired memorable Season 51 episodes in the show's regular time slot at 11:30 p.m. ET/10:30 p.m. CT/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock. For viewers tracking weekend TV alongside our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage, August 22 is another summer placeholder, not a premiere night.
Who is hosting and performing on tonight's SNL repeat?
Tonight's previously aired episode features Melissa McCarthy as host and Dijon as musical guest. The episode originally aired on December 6, 2025.
McCarthy, a Five Timer's Club member, made two appearances during the 2025-2026 season. This rebroadcast marks her sixth time hosting and her first SNL turn in eight years.
Standout sketches from the original broadcast include the wholesome Free Sample and the dark, holiday-themed A Helping Hand, both showcasing McCarthy's comedic versatility with eccentric, lovable characters. Cousin Planet also highlighted Season 51 cast members Jane Wickline and Veronika Slowikowska.
When does Saturday Night Live Season 52 premiere?
While the official premiere date for Season 52 has not been announced, NBC Insider indicates it is coming later this fall. Fans should stay tuned for details on new cast members and who will host and perform in the Season 52 premiere.
Until new episodes return, past episodes spanning all 51 SNL seasons are streaming on Peacock, according to AOL's reporting on NBC's summer schedule.
How can fans get tickets for SNL Season 52?
There are only a few days remaining to enter the SNL Season 52 ticket lottery. The drawing closes August 31.
NBC provides information on entering the lottery for a chance to sit in the live studio audience, as well as how to secure standby tickets for future episodes. With Season 52 on the horizon, that deadline is the next major milestone for fans who want to see a taping in person.