🌟 The Return of the Queen: Melissa McCarthy Kicks Off SNL’s Stacked December Run
🌟 The Return of the Queen: Melissa McCarthy Kicks Off SNL’s Stacked December Run
To the disappointment of comedy fans everywhere, there was no new episode of Saturday Night Live this weekend (November 29, 2025). The show, as is tradition, took a brief hiatus for the Thanksgiving holiday, airing a rerun instead of a live broadcast from Studio 8H.
However, the wait is almost over. The long-running sketch comedy institution is preparing to return with a vengeance next Saturday, December 6, 2025, kicking off a three-week run of star-studded, must-watch episodes designed to send the year out with a bang.
Leading the charge for this triumphant return is a comedy powerhouse and a true fan-favorite: Melissa McCarthy.
👑 Entering the Five-Timers Club: Melissa McCarthy Returns
The announcement of Melissa McCarthy as the host for the December 6 episode is cause for major celebration, as it marks a monumental milestone for the actress: her sixth time hosting, officially inducting her into the legendary Five-Timers Club.
The club, reserved for those who have hosted the show five or more times, is one of the most exclusive groups in entertainment, featuring names like Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Tina Fey, and Drew Barrymore. McCarthy’s addition cements her legacy as one of the most successful and versatile comedic talents to ever grace the Studio 8H stage.
Why McCarthy is a Perfect Pick for the Return
McCarthy is a dream host for SNL because of her fearless, high-energy, and physically committed comedic style. Her previous appearances have yielded some of the show's most memorable sketches of the last decade, including:
The Sean Spicer Impression: Her brutal, Emmy-winning portrayal of former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, often seen aggressively chewing gum and driving a motorized podium, became an instant cultural touchstone and a staple of political satire.
"Hidden Valley Ranch" Sketch: The viral commercial parody where she played a crazed, obsessed suburban mother.
The Excitement of the Unknown: Unlike many hosts who are promoting a major movie or show, McCarthy is hosting simply because she loves it. This freedom often leads to the most daring and unpredictable comedy, as the writers can craft sketches specifically for her singular talent, unburdened by promotional tie-ins.
Her return on December 6 is guaranteed to be a highlight of the season, giving the cast the perfect comedic engine to dive back into the political, cultural, and holiday topics that have accumulated during the two-week break.
🎶 The Music: Dijon Makes His Debut
Joining McCarthy will be the highly regarded singer-songwriter Dijon, making his SNL musical guest debut.
Dijon is a crucial figure in the current indie-pop and R&B landscape, known for his intimate, deeply emotional tracks and his unique blend of acoustic and electronic soundscapes. His music, often described as vulnerable and experimental, will provide a fascinating and fresh contrast to the broad comedy of the sketches.
His appearance is a testament to SNL's continued commitment to showcasing rising artists and giving them a monumental platform to reach a mainstream audience—a tradition that has launched countless careers over the last five decades.
🗓️ The December Schedule: A Roster of Heavy Hitters
The December 6 episode is only the start of a seriously stacked month. Lorne Michaels and the SNL team have scheduled a trio of powerful shows to close out 2025, ensuring maximum buzz heading into the winter break.
| Date | Host | Musical Guest | Significance |
| December 6 | Melissa McCarthy | Dijon | The Five-Timers Club Induction and return from break. |
| December 13 | Josh O’Connor | Lily Allen | O'Connor's hosting debut (promoting Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery). Allen returns after a long hiatus. |
| December 20 | Ariana Grande | Cher | The highly anticipated Year-End Extravaganza. Grande's third time hosting; Cher's first musical guest appearance since 1987. |
The Year-End Finale: Grande and Cher
The ultimate holiday gift comes on December 20, featuring one of the most high-profile host/musical guest pairings in recent memory: Ariana Grande as host and the iconic Cher as the musical guest.
Grande, currently starring in the film adaptation of Wicked: For Good, is a proven SNL performer, having hosted twice before (including one double-duty stint). Pairing her with Cher—who has not been the SNL musical guest since 1987—promises a night of legendary musical moments, holiday surprises, and high-wattage celebrity cameos, providing the perfect closing argument for SNL's 51st season.
💡 Why the December Run Matters
For viewers and the cast alike, the three-week December run is perhaps the most important stretch of the season outside of the premiere:
Catching the Cultural Wave: The writers and cast return refreshed and eager to tackle the backlog of news, holiday chaos, and political developments that occurred during the break.
The Holiday Sketch Tradition: December is synonymous with classic SNL holiday sketches. Expect new classics that can rival "D**k in a Box" or the perennial "Christmas at the White House" sketches.
Warming Up the New Cast: The newest featured players, like Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska, will have three solid weeks to establish new characters and find their footing before the long winter hiatus.
While this weekend's rerun was a necessary pause, the stage is now set. Next Saturday, December 6, the lights of Studio 8H will shine brightly as Melissa McCarthy makes history, signaling the beginning of Saturday Night Live's triumphant holiday comedy blitz. You won't want to miss a moment.
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