Season 51, Episode 5 of "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) aired on November 8, 2025. The episode was hosted by Nikki Glaser, with Pete Davidson making a notable appearance and Sombr as the musical guest. The genre remains consistent with SNL’s longstanding format: sketch comedy, live variety, satire, and music.​

Saturday Night Live S51E05
Plot/Episode Highlights:

Glaser's controversial and bold monologue opened with dark humor referencing Epstein’s island and child molestation, showcasing her signature roast style. She had prepared extensively for her set, which was divisive but demonstrated her empathy and expertise in edgy comedy.​

In "Mechanical Bull", two drunk friends (Glaser and Sarah Sherman) at a bachelorette party ride a mechanical bull, only for Andre (Kenan Thompson) to switch the setting to "Bon Voyage", transporting them through locales via green screen, including Glaser's hometown of St. Louis. James Austin Johnson contributes a country tune, amplifying the surreal atmosphere.​

"Weekend Update" featured jokes about the New York City mayoral election, including quips about Andrew Cuomo and O.J. Simpson, and a segment with Pete Davidson about the Staten Island ferry and the Riyadh Comedy Festival. Davidson humorously commented on those leaving New York after the election.​

Other sketches included "Pinwheel", "Spirit Tunnel Anxiety" (which the reviewer cited as hilarious, likening the acting to an exorcism), and Andre's quick resolution in "Andre's Dilemma". A touching short film dealt with a tween visiting his father for the weekend.​

The episode notably lacked recurring characters in "Weekend Update", and some regular cast members, such as Lo Hernandez and Chloe Fineman, had limited appearances.

IMDb and Ratings:

IMDb Series Page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072562/episodes/​

Individual episode pages are not always available immediately for the latest SNL episodes on IMDb, but the show’s main episode guide covers all seasons and episodes.

Rotten Tomatoes Episode Guide: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/saturday-night-live/s51/e05​

Structure & Style:

The episode was described by critics as one of the season’s stronger entries, embracing unusual and whimsical comedic concepts with a focus on Nikki Glaser's edgy humor and creative sketches.