Ariana Grande Shines as Host on a Special Episode of ‘SNL’

By Samantha Bowen

On October 12, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) aired its third episode of the 50th season, featuring
pop star Ariana Grande as the host and Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks as the musical guest.
Grande, reflecting on her exciting year as a theater kid. Her career ranging from her broadway
debut in 13 the Musical to her days on Nickelodeon, Grande expressed how fulfilling it is to star
in the upcoming film adaptation of “Wicked.” She humorously declared she was there to keep
things low-key and not sing, only to immediately break into song, showcasing her impressive
impersonations of Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus, and Gwen Stefani—echoing a similar
performance from 2016.

The episode also included a lively opening with familiar faces like Maya Rudolph as Vice
President Kamala Harris and Andy Samberg as Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. The cast
participated in a comedic game of “Family Feud” against a group of Trump impersonators,
adding to the night’s humor. Grande shared a fun moment with Bowen Yang while discussing
“Wicked,” and even summoned a chorus line of dancers for a grand finale, all while claiming to
keep things low-key!

Stevie Nicks, per usual, wowed the audience with her classic song “Edge of Seventeen,” adding a
nostalgic touch to the evening. Fans enjoyed segments from “Weekend Update,” where Colin
Jost and Michael Che delivered their signature comedic commentary. Ariana Grande’s hosting
brought a fun and vibrant energy to SNL, making it a night to remember. Make sure to see
“Wicked” in theaters November 22.