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Stevie Nicks has made her triumphant return to Saturday Night Live. The iconic Fleetwood Mac frontwoman performed on the long-running NBC sketch comedy show for the first time in 41 years during the Ariana Grande-hosted episode on Oct. 12. Dressed in her usual all-black ensemble, the 76-year-old singer-songwriter opened with a powerful performance of her […]

Ariana Grande brought her spot-on celebrity impressions to Saturday Night Live.
The Wicked star returned to the long-running NBC sketch comedy show as host on Oct. 12, where she reprised some of her hilarious pop star impressions during the opening monologue. Donning a beautiful pink gown, the 31-year-old superstar opened the episode by making it crystal clear that she was just hosting and not serving as the evening’s musical guest.

“I’m not going to make this about me,” Grande told the Studio 8H audience. “I’m just going to have fun, take it easy and keep it low key.”

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Moments later, she was subtly handed a microphone and began to break out into song, which included her favorite musical notes “C, D, B, A or G” and, of course, the opening line of Britney Spears‘ 1998 smash hit “…Baby One More Time.” She then belted out more impressive (and hilarious) impersonations of Miley Cyrus and Gwen Stefani.

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Grande’s song shifted to a more Broadway-style performance where she bumped into SNL cast member Bowen Yang, who was dressed as her Wicked character Glinda. “Bowen, didn’t anyone tell you? We cut the Wicked sketch!” she said to a disappointed Yang.

The “We Can’t Be Friends” singer once again confirmed that she wouldn’t be performing any of her music on the show. “I’m not going to do a duet tonight, so please don’t bring out Stevie Nicks,” she sang, referencing the night’s musical guest. “Worth a shot!”

Grande will appear in the upcoming live action adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked, in which she’ll play Glinda opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba. Yang will play the role of Pfannee in the Jon M. Chu-directed film. The movie hits theaters on Nov. 22.

This weekend’s stint marked Grande’s second time helming SNL, following her hosting debut in 2016. After the release of her Billboard 200-topping album Eternal Sunshine earlier this year, the Grammy winner served as musical guest on a Josh Brolin-hosted episode of the show in March, and participated in a couple sketches, including a Moulin Rouge parody with Yang.

The next SNL episode on Oct. 19 will be hosted by Michael Keaton with returning musical guest Billie Eilish.

Watch Grande’s SNL monologue below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes.

Bowen Yang and Ariana Grande took advantage of having the iconic Stevie Nicks in their presence. In a new promo for the upcoming Oct. 12 episode of Saturday Night Live, Grande and Yang discuss Grande returning as host of the sketch comedy series. “You know what they say, lightning strikes once, maybe twice,” the Wicked […]

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Marcello Hernandez has brought a new energy to Saturday Night Live as the breakout star to join the show’s latest cast of comedians. As a result, the 26-year-old has teamed up with some of his favorite Latin music artists including Bad Bunny (who he most recently impersonated) and Karol G. In celebration of the comedy sketch show’s 50th season as well as Hispanic Heritage Month, Hernandez is raising a glass to his achievements in a new campaign with Buchanan Scotch Whiskey.

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The #ComoLoDigas campaign looks to celebrate and display the various ways that Buchanan’s 200% fans pronounce (and enjoy) the beverage, while demonstrating that “what may differentiate Latinos in language unites them in community,” the brand says in a press statement.

As a fellow 200%-er, the #ComoLoDigas campaign also has a personal connection for the actor.

“One of the reasons that it’s been a really cool experience to work with Buchanon’s is the 200% campaign, which is just highlighting people that are 100% their culture or their parents’ culture, and then also 100% American,” Hernandez says in an interview with Billboard. “I think a lot of first-generation people like myself can relate to that.”

SNL‘s Marcello Hernández and Chef Manolo Lopez celebrate the new #ComoLoDigas Buchanan’s Whisky’s Campaign at the soft opening of Café Colmado.

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Keep reading to shop the whiskey and learn more about Hernandez’s experience as a cast member on SNL — including his secret to the perfect Bad Bunny impression as well as what he’s most excited for when Ariana Grande takes over hosting duties.

Choosing Buchanan’s Scotch Whiskey seemed like a natural choice for the comedian as it was a go-to for his family.

“You spend a lot of time when you’re younger not drinking,” he says. “When you get old enough to drink, you just want something that’s familiar. I think that this was really familiar to me because of the family parties I used to go to. It’s like a household name, if you will.”

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For an added touch of flavor, go for a tropical twist with Buchanan’s Pineapple Blended Scotch. In addition to fruity notes, you’ll also taste vanilla and caramel for a sweet flavorful taste with every sip.

His preferred way to take the drink is just a simple mix that avoids sugar: a splash of soda in a glass.

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Part of the reason Buchanan’s tapped Hernandez to be the face of the campaign was through their effort to bring younger Lantino Americans into the forefront — especially as Latino culture and language in the U.S. has evolved over the years. The campaign also hopes to unite the different communities within the culture by celebrating 200% pride and uniting everyone no matter what form (or sound). Within the campaign video, the brand spotlights the various ways in which people have been pronouncing “Buchanan’s” over the years “based on their country of origin, cultural slang or even the neighborhoods they live in, ensuring the love for Buchanan’s Whisky remains, no matter the pronunciation.”

Latino culture in the U.S. and language have evolved over the years, with younger Latino Americans celebrating our nuances, not to create division, but rather to celebrate 200% pride and uniting us no matter what form (or sound) it takes. Launching during Hispanic Heritage Month, the campaign is inspired by the various ways different communities

Below, ShopBillboard chats with Hernandez more about life as a cast member on SNL, his favorite artists and what he looks forward to most when Grande takes over as host.

You just had the premiere for the 50th season. Compared to last season, what was different about this premiere experience?

Well, this year we had Maya [Rudolph] and Andy Sandberg and Jim Gaffigan and Dana Carvie, who all stopped by to play characters of the Presidential race. Having them there set the tone for what season this is going to be and show you how important it is. I just think it’s beautiful, the relationship that people that have graduated from the show still have with it.

You also did a Bad Bunny impression for the premiere. Did he know about it beforehand?

I didn’t tell him, but I did keep him in mind. I didn’t want to ruin the little relationship that we do have, but it was fun. He’s somebody that before I met him, I was just a huge fan. It’s fun to dress up like somebody that you’re fan of.

What do you think is the secret to the perfect Bad Bunny impression?

I think there’s probably different ways to do it, whether he’s on stage versus off stage. Off stage he’s definitely not like a a crazy loud person, maybe the way I am, so maybe turning myself down a couple notches and being a little more chill. He has a grace to him that is fun to watch, and it’s hard to throw him off.

And then looking forward, Ariana Grande is supposed to be hosting soon — any dream sketches with her?

I don’t know if I have any dream sketches, but I do know that when I was 12 or 13, my family and I did a trip to LA, and we were at a restaurant and we saw her. Back then, my sister and I would probably watch her on Victorius and I remember just being like,”we have to take a picture with her.”

We did. There’s this really old picture of really young me with Ariana. Any sketch that we do together will feel like a full circle moment.

Are there any musical guests you’re looking forward to seeing?

Personally, all I listen to is Latin music. I think just having any Latin artist come by would be beautiful and would definitely have me dancing at 8H.

Check below to watch the official campaign video for the Buchanan’s Scotch Whiskey.

It’s been a busy week for Coldplay. On Friday (October 4) the British band released their 10th album, Moon Music, and then hopped on to shopping channel QVC to flog it to viewers. They kept the roll going on Saturday night they appeared as music guests on SNL to help the show celebrate its 50th season.
Now, they’ve shared a deluxe edition of Moon Music entitled Full Moon Edition, which features bonus tracks and three new original songs. You can see the full tracklist below for the new release.

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Moon Music (Full Moon Edition) is out now on all platforms https://t.co/C4o1q2EncoOriginal album + 10 BLUE MOONS including The Karate Kid, Man In The Moon and 👋MOON MUSiC1. MOON MUSiC2. feelslikeimfallinginlove 3. WE PRAY 4. JUPiTER5. GOOD FEELiNGS6. 🌈7. iAAM8.… pic.twitter.com/IRYGyGgmUf— Coldplay (@coldplay) October 6, 2024

The Chris Martin-led group’s deluxe edition includes unheard tracks “The Karate Kid”, “Angelsong” and “A Wave”, the latter stylised as a waving hand emoji on streaming services. The Full Moon Edition includes alternative and live versions of some of the album’s tracks. “Feels Like I’m Falling In Live” is a version recorded live on their record-breaking Music Of The Spheres global tour, while “We Pray – Be Our Guest” removes Little Simz’ verse to encourage the listener to do their own vocal take.

Moon Music hosted an array of collaborators including super-producer Max Martin, Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, electronic musician Jon Hopkins and even a contribution from ambient pioneer Brian Eno, who produced the band’s fourth studio album, 2008’s Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. The latest LP is a companion to their 2021 album Music Of The Spheres, which charted at No.4 on the Billboard 200.

Amidst the promotion for the new album, Martin has again discussed his vision for the band to only record 12 studio albums. Speaking to NME in 2021, Martin said “it’s a lot to pour everything into making them. I love it and it’s amazing, but it’s very intense too.”

In a new interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Martin pointed towards the limited oeuvre for The Beatles, Bob Marley and the Harry Potter books and films. “Having that limit means that the quality control is so high right now, and for a song to make it, it’s almost impossible, which is great,” he said.

Elsewhere the band recently announced a new U.K. leg of stadium tour dates in London and Hull, including 10 sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium. The U.K. shows – their only in Europe in 2025 – will include a donation to the Music Venues Trust to support the grassroots music scene.

The Lonely Island returned to Saturday Night Live on Oct. 5 with a hilarious new track about consuming sushi in some unsavory places.
In the trio’s first song on the long-running show since 2018, group members Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer (minus Jorma Taccone, who is credited as a writer) reunited for a SNL Digital Short titled “Sushi Glory Hole,” in which the two sharply-dressed comedians pitch skeptical investors (played by Maya Rudolph, Bowen Yang and Kenan Thompson) on a fishy business idea: “Sushi being fed through a hole in the wall.”

Samberg and Schaffer, donning 1980s-looking business suits, then play a cassette and begin rapping about their seemingly brilliant idea, as the scene cuts to SNL cast member James Austin Johnson dropping to his knees in a bathroom stall to receive a piece of raw fish on rice through a small hole. Unconvinced on their pitch, Yang and Rudolph’s disgusted characters begin to walk out of the board room.

“Hey, where you going? Hear us out!” Samberg and Schaffer beg over and over before stepping up their game. “You forgot to eat, now you’re out and about. But you wanna be discreet, can’t be eatin’ omakase in the middle of the street. Then you open the app: SGH is all over the map,” they pair continues. “So you head to a club, hit the bathroom stall, find the sushi-size hole in the bathroom wall. Then make a wish, and prepare for some shockingly high grade fish!”

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The pitch ultimately fails and Yang’s character is seen getting into his car, only to be surprised by Samberg and Schaffer, who are waiting for him in the back seat as a creepy last-ditch effort.

Elsewhere during Saturday’s Nate Bargatze-hosted episode, Coldplay appeared as musical guest for the eighth time to perform songs from the band’s just-released 10th album, Moon Music. The Chris Martin-fronted group brought down the house with beautiful deliveries of “All My Love” and “We Pray,” the latter featuring guest appearances by Elyanna and TINI.

SNL season 50 premiered last weekend, with Jean Smart hosting and Jelly Roll as musical guest. The next show on Oct. 12 will see Ariana Grande hosting again, with Stevie Nicks returning as the musical guest for the first time since her one-and-only performance on the show in 1983.

Watch the SNL Digital Short “Sushi Glory Hole” below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes.

Coldplay brought Moon Music to Studio 8H. The Chris Martin-fronted band returned to Saturday Night Live for the eighth time as musical guest on Oct. 5 to deliver a pair of new songs from their just-released 10th album, Moon Music. With an introduction from SNL host Nate Bargatze, Coldplay opened with a beautifully raw performance […]

When Saturday Night Live debuted in 1975, Kenan Thompson wasn’t even born yet — but Coldplay and Nate Bargatze think the longtime castmember has always been on the show.
“So Kenan, you have been on the show 50 whole years,” Bargatze says to Thompson in new promos for this weekend’s episode. “That’s amazing. How does it feel? … You had to be, what, 10 when it started?”

“You think I’m 60 years old?” Thompson says in disbelief.

“You look amazing for your age!” Bargatze adds, with Coldplay’s Chris Martin chiming in “You really do,” as his bandmates nod along.

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“Aw, thanks, Coldplay,” Thompson says.

Sure, Thompson is the longest-tenured castmember in the show’s history — joining in 2003 and now in his 21st season on the sketch comedy show — but he’s just 46 years old, so he missed a few of the early years. (Fun fact: Thompson was the first regular castmember to be born after the show’s 1975 premiere.)

Elsewhere in the promos, Thompson pokes fun at his long tenure. “This is what I love about SNL,” Thompson says. “People from all over the world coming together to put on a show.”

“I’m from America!” Bargatze says, while Martin adds, “We’re from not America!” Then Thompson admits: “I’m from just behind the door, right over there. Born and raised. All my life, right here.”

Coldplay are returning to the show for an eighth time as musical guest, promoting their brand-new album Moon Music, out Friday. Comedian Bargatze is returning as host for a second time after making his SNL debut last year.

SNL season 50 premiered last weekend, with Jean Smart hosting and Jelly Roll as musical guest.

Watch Bargatze and Coldplay’s Saturday Night Live promos below, and catch the new episode on Saturday (Oct. 5) at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC, before it streams on Peacock.

When Jelly Roll performed on the season 50 premiere of Saturday Night Live, his two songs were far from the only musical moment on the show. Bowen Yang brought two of the leading ladies of pop music to the episode by playing Charli XCX hosting a political talk show (alongside DJ/sidekick Troye Sivan) and channeling […]

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Actress Maya Rudolph thrilled audiences in her SNL return as Vice President Kamala Harris over the weekend.
As Saturday Night Live opened up its 50th season over the weekend, the cold open featured the return of veteran comedienne Maya Rudolph portraying Vice President Kamala Harris. “Well your fun aunt has returned,” she began, “The fun has been rebooted. Too fun, too furious.” From there, Rudolph demonstrated how uncanny her portrayal of the Democratic presidential nominee is, right down to recapturing the exact facial expression Harris displayed during her debate with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Stepping in to portray Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, was comedian Jim Gaffigan. “What can I say? I’ve got that BDE- Big Dad Energy!” Gaffigan said. He continued to portray the effervescent energy of Walz in the intro. “I’ve got to be honest here folks. When Kamala Harris called and asked to be her vice president, I said, ‘Uh, yeah,’” Gaffigan said before adding: “This is personal for me. I love this country. And as a former teacher, I need the money. This suit is from Costco!”

The skit also introduced another SNL alum, Andy Samberg, who played Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff who referred to himself as the “Second Gentle Minch,” and James Austin Johnson as Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Lastly, SNL alum Dana Carvey appeared as President Joe Biden leading to a comical exchange where Rudolph said thanks for “putting the country first and for handing over the reins,” to which Carvey replied, “I didn’t want to! They made me.”
Rudolph’s portrayal of Harris has garnered her two Emmy Awards – the first in 2019 for her presidential debate sketch, and in March 2021 when she hosted the show. “When I see her, I see her having fun,” she said in a Variety cover profile about the role. “And so the fictional Kamala that we created tapped into her fun. And then [SNL producer] Steve Higgins said to me that his wife called her a ‘fun aunt,’ and we were laughing at how that sounds like ‘funt.’ We just went from there. That was the moment where you realize, ‘Oh, now I know how to do this.’”
Check out the entire opening sketch above.