'Saturday Night Live' Season 52 Premiere Lampoons Political Figures and Pop Culture
The season opener featured Ramy Youssef reprising his role as Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Ashley Padilla debuting as a Trump aide Natalie Harp.
The 52nd season of "Saturday Night Live" kicked off on September 26, 2026, with a cold open that blended political satire and pop culture commentary. Ramy Youssef returned as Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose efforts to alert New Yorkers to a nor'easter were interrupted by President Trump, portrayed by James Austin Johnson.
Ashley Padilla made her debut as Natalie Harp, a Trump aide characterized as an "unhinged white woman." The sketch drew on recent news reports and rumors surrounding Harp's proximity to the President, comparing her to a character from the film "Obsession."
The episode also featured host Jalen Brunson, a point guard for the New York Knicks, who was joined by teammates Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart during his monologue. Musical guests Katseye appeared as themselves in a sketch satirizing their origins on the Netflix series "Pop Star Academy: Katseye."
New cast members Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter were introduced in the episode. The season premiere is now streaming on Peacock.
The following week, on October 3, 2026, Dakota Johnson is scheduled to host with musical guest Turnstile. The season's lineup also includes hosts Shane Gillis and Inde Navarrette, with musical guests Rosália and Gracie Abrams respectively.