SNL Season 51 Kicks Off With Teaser Starring Bad Bunny and Doja Cat

From the very first seconds of the teaser, it’s clear: Saturday Night Live (SNL) is back with flair. With Bad Bunny returning as host and Doja Cat as the musical guest, Season 51 is launching itself into the new era with a bold blend of celebrity, comedy, and spectacle. The promo gives fans a taste of the chaos — and camaraderie — to come.

A Familiar Face Returns (Again)

Bad Bunny, no stranger to SNL appearances over the years, is stepping into a rare dual role — this time as host and returning musical presence. The NBC teaser highlights that “after performing as Musical Guest for the Season 50 finale, the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show star is making history by also hosting the first episode of Season 51.” In doing so, he becomes “the first star to ever be formally billed on two consecutive episodes of SNL in the show’s entire 50-year history.” The promo quips that he treats “every single cast member — including a Featured Player he’s never met before — like family, for better or worse.”

In one of the more playful sequences, Bad Bunny invites his friends to crash at SNL newcomer Veronika Slowikowska’s place, saying, “‘It’s my friend, his baby, his dog … Be careful, he bites.'” When Slowikowska questions, “The dog?” he deadpans, “All of them.” The exchange underlines the tone: affectionate, absurd, and gleefully off-kilter.

New Blood Meets Bad Bunny

One of the highlights of the teaser is Bad Bunny’s interaction with Season 51’s fresh faces — especially Veronika Slowikowska, who transitions from TikTok to NBC. In her first moments onscreen, she protests, “Today’s literally my first day,” but the promo suggests her objections go unheard. Meanwhile, returning cast members Sarah Sherman and Marcello Hernández discuss the host’s comfort level:

“It’s so cool that Bad Bunny’s back,” Sherman says.
“I feel like he’s been here a lot recently. You think he’s getting comfortable with us?”
“Yeah, for sure,” says Hernández. “I just can’t tell if he’s, like, too comfortable.”

That dynamic — between long-time cast, new boots, and a celebrity who oscillates between cast-insider and outside star — offers rich material for sketch comedy.

Doja Cat Joins the Party

While Bad Bunny anchors the hosting duties, the musical spotlight belongs to none other than Doja Cat. The NBC promo confirms she’ll take over the performance duties for the episode, giving Bad Bunny a chance to focus solely on his comedic role. In fact, Doja Cat’s appearance on SNL will mark her debut on the iconic sketch show.

The timing of her slot is notable: she arrives just days after releasing her new album Vie. Doja Cat’s involvement adds genre contrast, star appeal, and a fresh dynamic to the SNL stage — and her debut presence raises expectations for standout musical sketches, collaborative bits, or unexpected crossover moments.

What This Teaser Promises for Season 51

This debut promo sets expectations high. We’re promised:

• Unpredictable interactions: Bad Bunny treating new and returning cast as confidantes and foils alike

• A playful tone: Scenes like toothbrush borrowing, stage mischief, and headlocks

• Showcase moments for the newbies: Particularly Veronika Slowikowska’s leap into live sketch territory

• Musical firepower: With Doja Cat as the featured guest to balance the comedic lead

Bad Bunny’s recurring SNL presence has already built familiarity with audiences, and his convergence with a new cast member’s arrival promises both continuity and novelty. As Sherman observes in the promo: “He’s been here a lot recently.” But perhaps, Hernández wonders, “Is he getting too comfortable?”

Season 51 officially premieres October 4, and with this teaser, it’s clear the show is ready to double down on bold surprises.