Why “SNL” isn't new tonight and when it will be back with hotly anticipated host
- - Why “SNL” isn't new tonight and when it will be back with hotly anticipated host
Jillian SederholmFebruary 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM
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Andrew Dismukes, Ashley Padilla, and Tommy Brennan on 'Saturday Night Live'; Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams on 'Heated Rivalry'
Will Heath/NBC; Sabrina Lantos
Saturday Night Live is on a break during the 2026 Olympics, but the show will be back with a first-time host set to heat things up soon enough.
While some SNL stars are taking part in NBC's coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games, other cast and crew are enjoying some time off after last week's Alexander Skarsgård-hosted episode. The legendary sketch show won't air new episodes for the next three weeks, but Heated Rivalry heartthrob Connor Storrie is already on the bench to host its Feb. 28 return.
The actor, who plays the sexy but stoic Ilya Rozanov on HBO Max's horny hockey drama, will be making his SNL debut. He'll be joined by musical guest Mumford & Sons, who are old pros by now after three previous stints on the Studio 8H stage.
No word yet on whether Storrie's onscreen boyfriend Hudson Williams is lined up for a cameo, but SNL alum Jimmy Fallon has already vouched for him to host, so we'd be shocked if it didn't happen. Thankfully, there's already an ice rink right outside 30 Rock — although we're a little afraid to see the racy Mighty Ducks sketch the show might cook up with star Kenan Thompson.
Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov on 'Heated Rivalry'
Sabrina Lantos
Based on Rachel Reid's Game Changers books, the queer romance series about a pair of pro hockey players who go from enemies to lovers became a breakout success for the streamer, skyrocketing the lead actors to fame. Both Storrie and Williams were working in the service industry prior to landing their lead roles on Heated Rivalry, which was originally created for the Canadian streaming platform Crave before being picked up for U.S. distribution by HBO Max. Storrie also had a small but pivotal role in Joker: Folie à Deux opposite Joaquin Phoenix in 2024.
SNL's 51st season kicked off Oct. 4, with host Bad Bunny and musical guest Doja Cat. Other episodes this season have been fronted by SNL alum Amy Poehler with musical guest Role Model, Sabrina Carpenter doing double duty as host and musical guest, Miles Teller with Brandi Carlile, comedian Nikki Glaser with Sombr, The Running Man star Glen Powell with Grammys 2026 Best New Artist winner Olivia Dean, Melissa McCarthy with Dijon, Josh O'Connor with Lily Allen, and Ariana Grande with Cher capping 2025 and Bowen Yang's last episode as an SNL cast member.
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Charli XCX, Role Model, Seth Meyers, and the 'SNL' cast during goodnights on Oct. 11, 2025
Will Heath/NBC
Season 51 continued in January with Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard joined by rapper A$AP Rocky, 2026 Oscar nominee Teyana Taylor with the band Geese, and Skarsgård overseeing the show's milestone 1,000th episode.
The Winter Olympics began Feb. 6 and continue through Sunday, Feb. 22. Saturday Night Live returns Feb. 28 at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock.
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
