Melissa McCarthy kicked off Saturday Night Live with a festive opening that leaves viewers in the holiday spirit, only to be swept up by a dramatic faux snowstorm. After a brief break, the two-time Oscar nominee returned for her sixth hosting gig, proudly noting that December’s first episode feels especially special.
“Family, friends, and classic Christmas tunes set the mood,” she said as cheerful music swelled in the background. Demonstrating a playful musical side, she introduced her self-styled instrument—the mouth horn—and launched into a light hum of “Carol of the Bells.”
McCarthy raved about the season, sharing why she loves this time of year: the tree lit up, Santa checking his lists, and a wink at the classic holiday chaos. “Let’s sprinkle in a little snow to get everyone in the mood,” she quipped as flurries began drifting around the set. “This is SNL—don’t be stingy with the snow!”
What started as a gentle snowfall quickly escalated into a full-on faux blizzard, engulfing the Little Mermaid star. “Okay, that was way too much,” she joked, continuing the monologue even as Marcello Hernandez joined onstage to cue a piano duet.
Hernandez rolled a piano into view and, in a playful mishap, nudged McCarthy out of frame during their mock quarrel. She quipped that he’d dropped the piano on her fingers, and Kenan Thompson reassured her that the holiday spirit was intact.
“Surely I haven’t ruined Christmas,” she teased. Thompson responded with warmth, encouraging her to sing one of her favorite carols, but she redirected us toward a playful horn performance. McCarthy hummed a few bars of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” as additional cast members joined in for a festive number.
Earlier in the broadcast, Colin Jost opened with a cold-open portraying Pete Hegseth, addressing a journalist who questioned a controversial strike against a drug-smuggling boat. Jost’s character dismissed any notion of cruel actions and admitted he wasn’t present for the events, joking about needing support from an anonymous meeting sponsor to resist tempting vices.
James Austin Johnson then appeared as Donald Trump, offering support for Hegseth while riffing on the chaotic nature of warfare and the idea of a new, convenient excuse—“Fog of War.” His humor leaned into theater of the absurd, comparing wartime blunders to improbable scenarios.
McCarthy, hosting for the first time in December, shared the spotlight with Dijon as the musical guest. This appearance marked her sixth hosting stint on SNL, though she’s made several memorable cameos over the years.
The season’s schedule lists two more 2025 episodes, including Josh O’Connor making his hosting debut on December 13 with Lily as musical guest, followed by Ariana Grande as host and Cher performing as the December 20 musical guest—a first since 1987 for Cher’s SNL appearance.
Season 51 has already brought six episodes featuring guests like Bad Bunny, Amy Poehler, Sabrina Carpenter, Miles Teller, Nikki Glaser, and Glen Powell, all taking their turns in the hosting chair.
More moments are on the horizon.
