The first Saturday Night Live of 2026 featured actor and musician Finn Wolfhard as host, marking his debut on the program. A$AP Rocky also took the stage as the musical guest, performing songs from his latest album, Don’t Be Dumb, for the first time live.
A Night of Firsts and Familiar Faces
While this was Wolfhard’s first time hosting SNL, he previously appeared in the 2024 film Saturday Night, playing an NBC page. He was also the subject of a song performed by Stranger Things cast member Jane Wickline during a recent Weekend Update segment. Rocky, though a first-time performer on SNL, had previously made a cameo appearance in a 2018 digital short parodying Migos alongside Donald Glover.
Rocky’s performance included “Punk Rocky,” featuring collaborators Thundercat, Danny Elfman, and Mark Harley, and a medley of “Don’t Be Dumb”/”Trip Baby” and “Helicopter.” Wolfhard’s monologue was joined by his Stranger Things co-stars Caleb McLaughlin and Gaten Matarazzo, who also appeared in a digital short exploring potential spinoffs of their hit series.
Beyond the Stage
The show also featured appearances from other celebrities. Sabrina Carpenter reprised her role from a previous hosting appearance, and Jason Momoa appeared as Hagrid in a trailer for a Harry Potter and Heated Rivalry crossover, titled Heated Wizardry. A social media post indicated that Rihanna and Joe Keery were in attendance.
Looking ahead, next week’s episode will be hosted by Golden Globe winner Teyana Taylor, with a musical performance by Geese, named Best Album of 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this Finn Wolfhard’s first time being associated with Saturday Night Live?
No, Finn Wolfhard previously appeared as an NBC page in the 2024 film Saturday Night.
Who joined A$AP Rocky on stage during his performance?
Thundercat, Danny Elfman, and Mark Harley joined A$AP Rocky during his performance of “Punk Rocky.”
What other show was parodied during the episode?
The show featured a parody of MD Foodie Boyz, titled Snackhomiez, with Sabrina Carpenter reprising her role from a previous appearance.
What elements of a successful SNL episode resonate most with you?