Key Takeaways:
- "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) returned with its first new episode of 2026, featuring James Austin Johnson as President Donald Trump in the cold open.
- The episode addressed recent news events, including the capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.
- The show also poked fun at Trump’s recent controversies, including a viral moment where he read a note from Secretary of State Marco Rubio out loud.
- Finn Wolfhard hosted the episode, with musical guest A$AP Rocky, and the show will feature three consecutive weeks of new episodes with hosts Teyana Taylor and Alexander Skarsgård.
Introduction to the New Episode
The wait is over, and "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) is back with its first new episode of 2026. The show returned on January 17, and it had a lot to catch up on. The cold open featured James Austin Johnson as President Donald Trump, delivering an address to viewers to bring them up to speed on everything that’s happened while the show was off the air. Johnson’s Trump character was in top form, making jokes about his Christmas gifts, including a Nobel Prize that he claimed was his, and the capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro.
The Cold Open: A Spoof of Recent Events
The cold open was a hilarious spoof of recent events, with Johnson’s Trump character taking center stage. He joked about the capture of Maduro, saying that the United States had pulled off a "reverse Santa" by coming down the chimney and taking him away. The sketch also featured Colin Jost as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who angrily took the podium to discuss the situation in Venezuela. Jost’s Hegseth character was his usual bombastic self, declaring that the United States would target Iran next because "you don’t dare kill your protesters. That’s our thing!" The sketch also acknowledged the tensions in Minneapolis after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, with Ashley Padilla playing Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
The Host and Musical Guest
The episode was hosted by Finn Wolfhard, who recently starred in the series finale of his Netflix show "Stranger Things." Wolfhard was joined by musical guest A$AP Rocky, who recently dropped his latest album, "Don’t Be Dumb." The episode was a great way to kick off three consecutive weeks of new "SNL" shows, with Teyana Taylor and Alexander Skarsgård set to host the next two episodes. Taylor’s hosting debut will come amid Oscar buzz for her role in "One Battle After Another," for which she recently received a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actress.
Upcoming Episodes
The next episode of "SNL" will feature Teyana Taylor as the host, with musical guest Geese. Taylor’s hosting debut is highly anticipated, and it will be interesting to see how she fares in the role. The following week, Alexander Skarsgård will make his "SNL" hosting debut, joined by musical guest Cardi B. Skarsgård is known for his dramatic roles, so it will be fun to see him try his hand at comedy. With three consecutive weeks of new episodes, "SNL" is sure to bring the laughs and keep viewers entertained.
The Show’s Return to Form
The return of "SNL" is a welcome relief for fans of the show, who have been waiting patiently for new episodes. The show’s ability to tackle current events and make them funny is one of its strongest assets, and the cold open of the first episode of 2026 did not disappoint. With its talented cast and guest hosts, "SNL" is sure to continue to bring the laughs and make headlines in the coming weeks. Whether you’re a fan of politics, music, or just good old-fashioned comedy, "SNL" has something for everyone, and its return is a great way to start the new year.