Dua Lipa Set as ‘SNL’ Host and Musical Guest in May

After a shortened 2022-23 season, Saturday Night Live returned a bit later than usual to kick off its 2023-24 run.

The writers strike affected both the end of last season and the start of season 49; the end of the labor action on Sept. 25 meant a mid-October start for SNL — with former castmember Pete Davidson hosting — rather than the late September or early October premiere the show usually has. (The cast is covered under a different SAG-AFTRA contract than the one actors are currently striking against, so they can perform without crossing picket lines.)

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The show’s cast returned intact from last season, with James Austin Johnson and Sarah Sherman moving up from featured players to repertory players. Chloe Troast joined the cast as a featured player.

Below is The Hollywood Reporter’s updating guide to season 49’s SNL hosts and musical guests.

It was revealed on Dec. 16 that Jacob Elordi will be hosting the sketch comedy show’s first episode in 2024 with musical guest Reneé Rapp.

On Nov. 29, it was announced that alum Kate McKinnon would return to the show as a first-time host for the Dec. 16 show, the final show before the holiday break, with musical guest Billie Eilish. Prior to that, Emma Stone hosted the Dec. 2 show for her fifth time, with musical guest Noah Kahan, and on Dec. 9, Adam Driver hosted for his fourth time with musical guest Olivia Rodrigo.

Saltburn star Jacob Elordi made his SNL debut on Jan. 20, with musical guest (and Mean Girls star) Renée Rapp. Dakota Johnson and Justin Timberlake were set for the Jan. 27 show. And The Bear star Ayo Edebiri, coming off her Emmy and Golden Globe wins, made her hosting debut on Feb. 3 with musical guest Jennifer Lopez.

Comedian Shane Gillis hosted SNL on Feb. 24, years after being cut from the show in 2019 for using racial and homophobic slurs during a conversation on a podcast. He was joined by 21 Savage as the musical guest.

In March, Sydney Sweeney hosted the March 2 show, with musical guest Kacey Musgraves, followed by Josh Brolin and Ariana Grande a week later. And on March 30, Ramy Youssef hosted with musical guest Travis Scott. April saw former SNL regular Kristen Wiig join the Five-Timers Club and Barbie Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling host for the third time.

Dua Lipa is now set as the next host and musical guest for the show on May 4.

This story will be updated as new shows are announced. Hosts are listed first, followed by musical guests.

Oct. 14: Pete Davidson, Ice Spice
Oct. 21: Bad Bunny (host and musical guest)
Oct. 28: Nate Bargatze, Foo Fighters
Nov. 11: Timothée Chalamet, boygenius
Nov. 18: Jason Momoa, Tate McRae
Dec. 2: Emma Stone, Noah Kahan
Dec. 9: Adam Driver, Olivia Rodrigo  
Dec. 16: Kate McKinnon, Billie Eilish  
Jan. 20: Jacob Elordi, Reneé Rapp
Jan. 27: Dakota Johnson, Justin Timberlake
Feb. 3: Ayo Edebiri, Jennifer Lopez
Feb. 24: Shane Gillis, 21 Savage
March 2: Sydney Sweeney, Kacey Musgraves
March 9: Josh Brolin, Ariana Grande
March 30: Ramy Youssef, Travis Scott
April 6: Kristen Wiig, Raye
April 13: Ryan Gosling, Chris Stapleton
May 4: Dua Lipa (host and musical guest)

This post was originally published on Oct. 17, 2023.

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