Currently, in its milestone 50th season, SNL tonight is on a brief hiatus as of January 4, 2025, with no new episode airing tonight. Saturday Night Live (SNL), the iconic sketch comedy show created by Lorne Michaels, has been a staple of NBC's programming since its debut in 1975.
The next live episode of SNL is scheduled for January 18, 2025. In the interim, NBC has been airing repeat episodes to keep audiences entertained. The season will have a special three-hour retrospective episode celebrating the 50th anniversary, scheduled to air on February 16, 2025.
SNL Tonight, January 4, 2025, will air a repeat episode featuring actor Michael Keaton as host and singer-songwriter Billie Eilish as the musical guest. This episode originally aired on October 19, 2024. Michael Keaton, renowned for his roles in films like Batman and Birdman, brought his comedic talents to the SNL stage, engaging in various sketches that showcased his versatility and humor.
Billie Eilish, the Grammy-winning artist known for hits like Bad Guy and Happier Than Ever, delivered captivating musical performances during the episode. The previous episode of SNL tonight re-aired an episode originally broadcast on October 12, 2024, featuring Ariana Grande as host and Stevie Nicks as the musical guest.
The 50th season has introduced new featured players Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline, adding fresh talent to the ensemble. SNL tonight will air at 11:30 PM ET on NBC.
Michael Keaton hosts SNL tonight, January 4, 2025
Tonight, January 4, 2025, Saturday Night Live (SNL) will re-air an episode featuring Michael Keaton as host. This marks Keaton's fourth time hosting SNL, with previous stints in 1982, 1992, and 2015.
In his monologue, Keaton humorously discussed his role in the sequel Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, sharing his anticipation of fans dressing as his character for Halloween. He was joined by cast members Mikey Day and Andy Samberg, both dressed as Beetlejuice, with Samberg urging Keaton to recite the iconic line, "It's showtime."
The episode also features musical guest Billie Eilish, who performs Birds of a Feather and Wildflower, both accompanied by her brother Finneas O'Connell on acoustic guitar.
Additionally, Alec Baldwin makes a return in the cold open, portraying Fox News anchor Bret Baier in a sketch with Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris. Alec Baldwin, who holds the record for hosting Saturday Night Live 17 times, became widely known for his portrayal of Donald Trump during the 2010s. However, his appearances on the show have significantly decreased following the 2020 election.
A standout sketch from this episode is the "TikTok" sketch, where cast members parody various TikTok trends and personalities, showcasing the show's ability to satirize contemporary digital culture.
A brief look at Michael Keaton's career
Michael Keaton, born Michael John Douglas on September 5, 1951, in Kennedy Township, Pennsylvania, has carved out a remarkable career in Hollywood over the last four decades.
He first gained widespread attention in the 1980s with comedic roles in films like Mr. Mom (1983) and Beetlejuice (1988), but it was his portrayal of Batman in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) that truly made him a household name. At the time, many were skeptical about Keaton as the Batman, but over time, his take on the character has become iconic.
Keaton’s career didn’t slow down, though. In 2014, his performance in Birdman earned him an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe for Best Actor. He continued his success with the Emmy-winning role in Dopesick (2021).
What’s particularly interesting is that Keaton is one of the few actors to have starred in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and DC Universe, playing the villain Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and returning as Batman in The Flash (2023).
Despite facing early career hurdles and occasional skepticism about his casting choices, Keaton has proven time and again that his range and dedication to his craft keep him relevant and respected, from comedy to drama, across superhero franchises and beyond.
Saturday Night Live cast, stream options, and air timings
List of cast members on SNL tonight
The episode included appearances by former cast members Dana Carvey and Maya Rudolph.
The main cast members for this episode were:
- Michael Che
- Mikey Day
- Andrew Dismukes
- Chloe Fineman
- Heidi Gardner
- Marcello Hernández
- James Austin Johnson
- Ego Nwodim
- Sarah Sherman
- Kenan Thompson
- Bowen Yang
Additionally, featured players included:
- Marcello Hernández
- Michael Longfellow
- Devon Walker
Where to watch the latest SNL episodes?
To watch Saturday Night Live tonight, there are several options:
- Peacock: NBC's streaming service offers a premium plan that costs $7.99/month. Premium Plus includes fewer ads and offline viewing. It costs $13.99/month.
- Peacock TV
- NBC: Tune in live on NBC at 11:30 pm ET to watch SNL tonight.
- Live TV Streaming Services: Platforms like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV offer NBC live streams, allowing viewers to watch SNL tonight.
- YouTube TV
Since availability and pricing may fluctuate, it's recommended to check with each provider for the most up-to-date information.
SNL's air timings
SNL is available to watch live on NBC at these times.
Catch Michael Keaton, Billie Eilish, and the rest of the cast on SNL tonight.