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Is SNL New Tonight? Your Guide to the Saturday Night Live Schedule for November 29, 2025

Last Updated: November 29, 2025

For comedy fans across Canada and the United States, Saturday night rituals often revolve around one iconic show: Saturday Night Live. As the legendary sketch comedy series navigates its monumental 51st season, viewers constantly check their guides to see if the iconic "Live from New York" introduction will grace their screens.

If you are tuning in this weekend, specifically on November 29, 2025, there is one crucial detail you need to know before settling in for the night.

Main Narrative: The Holiday Break and the Rerun Schedule

The primary question on everyone's mind is simple: Is SNL new tonight?

According to verified reports from major entertainment outlets, including Parade Magazine and Last Night On, the answer is no. There is no new episode of Saturday Night Live airing tonight, Saturday, November 29, 2025.

Instead of a fresh broadcast featuring a new host and musical guest, NBC is airing a rerun. This scheduling decision comes as the cast and crew of SNL take a breather following the high-energy Thanksgiving holiday period. It is a standard practice for the show to pause production during late November to allow the team a short hiatus before the sprint toward the December holidays and the season finale.

What Will Air Instead?

While fans may be disappointed by the lack of new material, the rerun selected for tonight is a highlight from the current season. Viewers can expect to see the episode from Season 51 that was originally hosted by comedy legend Amy Poehler, featuring musical guest Role Model. This episode, which first aired on October 11, 2025, was widely praised for Poehler’s return to the Studio 8H stage and the band's energetic performance.

Recent Updates: The Season 51 Timeline

To understand exactly where the show stands in its production cycle, it is helpful to look at the verified timeline of recent events. Season 51 has been a year of transitions and exciting debuts, keeping the buzz alive even during breaks.

The November Lineup

Leading up to this holiday hiatus, the show featured a string of high-profile episodes. Based on verified news reports and NBC announcements:

• November 8, 2025: Comedian Nikki Glaser made her SNL hosting debut, a significant milestone for the stand-up star. She was joined by musical guest Sombr, marking a collaborative premiere for both talents.
• November 15, 2025: The momentum continued with actor Glen Powell taking the hosting duties for the first time. He was supported by musical guest Olivia Dean, who also made her debut on the program.
• November 22, 2025: This episode marked the last new broadcast before the current break.

The Return Schedule

According to reports from MSN and NJ.com, the production break is short-lived. The cast and writers are scheduled to return for the next new episode airing on December 6, 2025. Following that, the show is expected to air three consecutive new episodes to close out the year, a pattern typical of the holiday season schedule.

Contextual Background: Why the Break Matters

The absence of a new episode on November 29 might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it highlights the unique production demands of Saturday Night Live. Unlike scripted sitcoms that film months in advance, SNL operates on a frantic, week-to-week schedule. The writing, casting, and performance of a full hour of live television is a massive undertaking.

The "Weekend Update" of the Season

Saturday Night Live has been a staple of American television since 1975. In recent years, the show has faced increased scrutiny regarding cast turnover and the quality of sketches. However, Season 51 has been viewed by critics and fans as a stabilizing force. The decision to air a rerun rather than a "clip show" or a hastily produced episode maintains the show's reputation for quality.

Cultural Impact

For Canadian audiences, who often watch via NBC or Global TV simulcasts, the show remains a cultural touchstone. It serves as a barometer for political satire and pop culture commentary. The "rerun" phase of the season allows new viewers to catch up on standout sketches from the first half of the season—such as the Amy Poehler-hosted episode—while die-hard fans debate the best moments of the year.

Immediate Effects: Viewer Impact and Scheduling

For the average viewer checking their local listings, the immediate effect of tonight's schedule is straightforward: adjust your expectations.

1. No Live Stream on Peacock: Typically, new episodes are available for streaming on Peacock the next day. Since tonight is a rerun, there will be no "next-day" drop of fresh content on streaming platforms.
2. The Amy Poehler Re-watch: The immediate effect is a chance to revisit a critically acclaimed episode. Amy Poehler is an SNL royalty, having served as a head writer and anchor of "Weekend Update." Her return to the host chair in Season 51 was a major event, and the rerun offers a second look at her improvisational skills.
3. Social Media Silence: Usually, Saturday nights generate a flood of memes and trending topics based on the cold open and "Weekend Update." Tonight, social media activity regarding the show will likely be minimal, focusing instead on holiday weekend activities.

Future Outlook: What to Expect from SNL in December

While tonight is a quiet night for SNL fans, the future outlook for the remainder of Season 51 is promising. Based on the trajectory of the season and reports from entertainment news sources, here is what viewers can anticipate:

The December Return

The next new episode on December 6 is expected to kick off a month-long marathon of new comedy. The show typically books high-profile hosts in December to capitalize on holiday viewing. With the momentum from Glen Powell and Nikki Glaser, the show is likely looking for another A-list star to anchor the December 6 broadcast.

The Holiday Episodes

The "three star-studded new episodes" mentioned in supplementary reports usually culminate in the annual Christmas episode. This is often the most chaotic and festive show of the year, featuring digital shorts, celebrity cameos, and a high-energy musical guest.

Strategic Implications

For the show's producers, maintaining a consistent schedule of high-quality episodes is crucial for Season 51. The show is currently competing for relevance against TikTok sketches and YouTube comedy. By taking a deliberate break on November 29 and returning strong in December, SNL ensures that the energy remains high for the end-of-year episodes, which are often the most viewed.

Conclusion

To summarize for our Canadian readers: No, Saturday Night Live is not new tonight, November 29, 2025. You can tune in to NBC (or your local simulcast) to watch the Season 51 rerun hosted by Amy Poehler with musical guest Role Model.

Mark your calendars for December 6, when the show returns with fresh comedy to close out the year. Until then, enjoy the break—and the reruns.

Sources: Verified reporting from Parade Magazine, Last Night On, NJ.com, and MSN.