In the third episode of Saturday Night Live’s milestone 50th season, pop icon Ariana Grande took the reins as host, alongside legendary musical guest Stevie Nicks. This pairing marked a special night for SNL fans, with Grande returning to the show after her last hosting stint in 2016.
While she vowed to stay low-key, she immediately broke that promise by launching into a musical number, showcasing her talents with spot-on impressions of Britney Spears and Gwen Stefani.
The night’s sketches ranged from classic SNL absurdity to timely political satire. In the cold open, Kenan Thompson returned as Steve Harvey for a Family Feud-themed showdown featuring Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph) and Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson).
Bowen Yang, a standout this season, shone once again, especially in a sketch where he meets his boyfriend’s competitive, overbearing mother (played by Grande).
The night’s comedy also took a darker turn in Dan Bulla’s short, My Best Friend’s House, where Grande’s nostalgia for childhood smells is interrupted by some bizarre twists.
Stevie Nicks brought the house down with two performances, starting with her new track “The Lighthouse” and closing with the classic “Edge of Seventeen.” Nicks’ presence harkened back to her first SNL performance in 1983, underscoring the rich history of the show during this landmark season.
