“Saturday Night Live” is returning for its 51st season, with a new player with Indiana ties, minus a featured player who got his start in Bloomington and a premiere hosted by the star of the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.
SNL newcomer Tommy Brennan has Indiana ties
Stand-up comedian Tommy Brennan, 31, joins the show as a featured player this season.
Brennan, who grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, studied accounting at Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame before heading for Chicago to hone improv skills at The Second City.
He was named “New Face of Comedy” at the 2023 Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, and performed on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in June 2025.
Brennan was a co-host on the podcast “Roommates-In-Law,” which ended after his SNL gig was announced.
What happened to SNL’s Emil Wakim?
Emil Wakim, who started his comedy career working the door at a Bloomington, Indiana, comedy club, began his SNL stint as a featured playing in the 49th season before being promoted to the main cast for the show’s 50th season.
The Lebanese-American comedian hit the national scene in 2022 when he debuted on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” and was selected as a New Face of Comedy at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival.
In August 2025, Wakim announced his exit from the show.
When will SNL return for the 2025-2026 season?
The series returns for its 51st season on Oct. 4, 2025.
Who will be the Oct. 4, 2025, host of ‘Saturday Night Live’?
Reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny will be the first host of the 51st season.
Who is Bad Bunny?
Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Bad Bunny was the most-streamed artist globally on Spotify in 2022, beating out Taylor Swift, who came in second.
His sixth studio album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” which showcases his Puerto Rican heritage, spent weeks at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart earlier this year.
The 31-year-old rapper and singer has been tapped as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show performer.
How to watch SNL season 51
Beginning Oct. 4, new episodes air live on NBC and Peacock on Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. eastern/8:30 p.m.
Watch ‘SNL’ replays with Peacock
Who is the ‘Saturday Night Live’ musical guest on Oct. 4?
Doja Cat (“Kiss Me More) will make her “SNL” debut as the musical guest on the season 51 premiere.
Her fifth studio album, “Vie,” was released on September 26.
Contact Midwest Connect reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cjackson@gannett.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: ‘Saturday Night Live’ heads into its 51st season. When is the premiere? Who is hosting?
Reporting by Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
