musical guest snl tonight

SNL Tonight: Your Guide to the December 13th Episode with Josh O'Connor and Lily Allen

Date: December 13, 2025
Topic: Saturday Night Live Season 51, Episode 8

For comedy fans across Canada and the globe, Saturday night holds a timeless tradition. As the cold weather settles in, all eyes turn to Studio 8H for fresh satire and celebrity appearances. If you are wondering about the musical guest SNL tonight has booked, along with the host, you have come to the right place.

The long-running sketch comedy series is back with a brand new episode this Saturday, December 13, 2025. This marks the eighth episode of Season 51, and it promises to be a memorable one. Whether you are tuning in for the sketches or the musical performance, here is everything you need to know about tonight’s broadcast.

Is SNL New Tonight? The Main Narrative

Yes, Saturday Night Live is airing a new episode tonight, December 13, 2025. Following a season that has already seen high-profile appearances, the show continues its momentum with a hosting debut from a critically acclaimed actor.

According to reports from Yahoo News Canada, tonight’s episode is the eighth of the current season. The show is set to air live on NBC and will be available for streaming on Peacock shortly after the broadcast concludes. For Canadian viewers, this usually translates to a simultaneous airing on Citytv or the Global TV Network, depending on current carriage agreements, ensuring you don't miss a moment of the action.

The significance of this specific episode lies in its lineup. It features a perfect blend of fresh talent and returning musical energy. The pairing of a dramatic actor stepping into the comedy ring with a musician known for her sharp wit creates a specific anticipation among fans looking for something different from the standard format.

Who is Hosting and Performing? The Verified Lineup

The buzz surrounding tonight’s show centers on two key figures: the man holding the reigns as host and the artist taking the stage as the musical guest.

The Host: Josh O'Connor's Comedy Debut

Tonight marks the hosting debut of British actor Josh O'Connor. While many know him for his Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Prince Charles in The Crown or his heartthrob status in the romantic drama Challengers, O'Connor is stepping into uncharted territory.

He is not the first dramatic actor to try his hand at sketch comedy, but the contrast makes for compelling television. As noted by Entertainment Weekly in their recap coverage of the season, the show often relies on actors with serious dramatic chops to ground the absurdity of the sketches. There is a unique energy when a performer known for period pieces or intense dramas attempts to sell a goofy premise involving a wig or a funny accent.

In promotional materials leading up to the show, O'Connor has expressed excitement and nervousness, a combination that usually bodes well for a memorable debut.

The Musical Guest: Lily Allen Returns

Taking the musical slot tonight is none other than Lily Allen. While this is a return for the British pop star, it has been quite some time since her last appearance. According to Yahoo News Canada, this will be Allen’s second time performing on the SNL stage, her first dating all the way back to February 2007.

This nearly two-decade gap makes her return a significant event for fans of early 2000s alternative pop. Allen’s style—which blends pop melodies with biting social commentary and reggae influences—fits the edgy, late-night vibe of the show perfectly. Fans can likely expect to hear tracks from her recent work, perhaps accompanied by the distinctive stage design SNL is known for.

Historical Context: SNL and the December Lineup

To understand the weight of tonight’s episode, it helps to look at the history of Saturday Night Live in December. This month is traditionally the "home stretch" of the season, often featuring high-caliber guests and festive themes leading up to the holiday break.

Historically, the show has used the December episodes to test the waters for the following year. The "Christmas episode," often the last one of the calendar year, is usually reserved for A-list hosts and musical legends. For reference, the show has already teased that the following week, December 20, will feature Ariana Grande returning as host and the legendary Cher as the musical guest. That is a massive blockbuster lineup, which suggests that tonight’s episode with O'Connor and Allen serves as a strong lead-in to the season’s climax.

The "Actor-Turned-Comedian" Pattern

There is a long-standing pattern on SNL where actors known for serious roles host the show to surprisingly great effect. Daniel Craig, Hugh Laurie, and Michael B. Jordan have all navigated this path. Josh O'Connor joins this lineage tonight. The challenge for him will be to let go of the restraint required for his film roles and embrace the high-energy, sometimes chaotic nature of live sketch comedy.

For Canadian audiences, who have historically enjoyed the show’s political satire and pop culture parodies, seeing a fresh face like O'Connor navigate the "Weekend Update" desk or a political cold open adds a layer of unpredictability to the evening.

What to Expect from Tonight’s Broadcast

While specific sketch details are kept under wraps until airtime, we can make some educated guesses based on current events and the host's background.

1. The Cold Open: With the political climate constantly shifting in both the US and Canada, the cold open will likely touch on recent headlines. The cast has been sharp this season, and with a new host, they often carry the heavy lifting in the opening sketch to allow the guest to warm up.
2. The Monologue: Josh O'Connor’s monologue will be his first real test. Will he rely on self-deprecating humor about his "Prince Charles" image? Or will he branch out into something entirely new? Monologues by first-time hosts are often tightrope walks between personal anecdotes and observational humor.
3. Musical Performance: Lily Allen is known for hits like "Smile," "The Fear," and "Somewhere Only We Know." Given her style, expect a performance that is visually engaging. SNL musical guests often get creative with their staging, so it will be interesting to see how she interprets the Studio 8H space.

Immediate Effects and Viewing Guide

For viewers planning their Saturday night, the timing is standard for the live broadcast.

• Air Time: 11:30 PM ET / 10:30 PM CT.
• Streaming: For those with access to Peacock (US) or the respective network apps (Canada), the episode will be available on-demand shortly after the live broadcast ends.

The immediate impact of a successful episode tonight is the continued engagement of the Season 51 audience. The show is in a crucial phase where it establishes the comedic themes that will define the year. A strong showing from a dramatic actor like O'Connor validates the casting department's strategy, while a reliable musical guest like Allen bridges the gap between the show’s established legacy and its current audience.

Future Outlook: What Comes Next?

Tonight is just the beginning of the end for the 2025 calendar year. As mentioned, the schedule is packed with heavy hitters.

If you enjoy what you see from Josh O'Connor tonight, keep an eye on his upcoming film projects; a successful hosting gig often leads to hosting again or being mentioned in the "Five-Timers Club" down the line.

For Lily Allen, tonight could signal a resurgence in her American promotion. A well-received setlist on SNL often boosts streaming numbers and revitalizes interest in an artist's back catalog.

Looking ahead to next week: The December 20 episode featuring Ariana Grande and Cher is being positioned as a television event. Grande, a veteran of the show, brings her own brand of comedic timing, while Cher is an icon whose presence alone guarantees ratings. It is a stark contrast to tonight’s lineup: while tonight offers discovery and debut, next week offers nostalgia and spectacle.

Final Thoughts

As the snow falls across Canada and the year winds down, Saturday Night Live offers a warm, witty escape. Tonight’s episode, featuring the debut of Josh O'Connor and the return of Lily Allen, is a testament to the show's ability to mix unexpected pairings.

Whether you are tuning in to see if the dramatic actor can handle the sketch format, or if you are a long-time fan of Lily Allen’s pop stylings, the eighth episode of Season 51 is set to deliver the laughs and music that have defined the show for nearly half a century.

Make sure to tune in at 11:30 PM ET to catch the live magic. In the world of comedy and music, anything can happen, and on Saturday nights, it usually does.