“Saturday Night Live” returned for its 51st season with a familiar mix of politics, pop culture, and sharp self-awareness — and this time, the spotlight belonged to Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar kicked off the new season as both host and cultural headline, joking about his next gig: the Super Bowl halftime show.
“I think everybody is happy about it — even Fox News,” he teased, nodding to the controversy surrounding his upcoming performance, which will reportedly be sung entirely in Spanish. Then, with his trademark grin, he switched languages to celebrate Latino pride and success. “If you didn’t understand what I just said,” he quipped in Spanish, “you have four months to learn.” It was a statement equal parts humor and triumph — a performer unapologetically bringing his culture to the biggest stage in America.
Bad Bunny’s monologue! pic.twitter.com/pjS0Ejckcg
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) October 5, 2025
The season premiere also showed that SNL hasn’t lost its taste for political satire. The cold open lampooned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent comments about military fitness, with Colin Jost portraying a hyper-stern Hegseth declaring, “No fatties, no facial hair, no body hair. Just hot, shredded hairless men who are definitely not gay.”
The sketch’s punchline came from James Austin Johnson’s eerily accurate Donald Trump impression bursting in to declare, “Late-night TV!” and mock the show itself: “Seventeen new cast members and they got the ‘Update’ guy doing the open.”
The meta-humor landed. After a season of anniversary nostalgia, SNL’s 51st outing seemed determined to reset itself — fresher faces, sharper writing, and a little less reverence. Five new featured players joined the cast, replacing a wave of high-profile departures including Ego Nwodim and Devon Walker.
Bad Bunny’s presence threaded the night together. He appeared in multiple sketches, from a historical parody about gendered Spanish nouns featuring Benicio Del Toro, to lighter cameos showing off his comedic timing. Musical guest Doja Cat matched the energy in her first SNL appearance, delivering a high-concept performance that blended choreography with punchy visuals.
Of course, Weekend Update couldn’t resist turning current headlines into fodder. Co-anchor Michael Che jabbed at news that ICE agents will be deployed to the Super Bowl following Bad Bunny’s halftime announcement: “You know, to catch all those farmworkers who can afford Super Bowl tickets.” It was the kind of joke SNL still does best — wry, uncomfortable, and cutting in its simplicity.
And with his trademark charm, he gave SNL exactly what it needed: a shot of energy, a global flair, and that unmistakable sense that the show — and perhaps America itself — is learning to dance to a broader rhythm.
