Bad Bunny’s Historic Season 51 Premiere Rerun Returns to NBC Tonight

NBC is re-airing Bad Bunny’s historic Season 51 premiere of Saturday Night Live tonight at 11:30 p.m. ET. The episode features Bad Bunny as host and Doja Cat as musical guest. The rerun gives viewers another look at a milestone night that opened SNL’s 2025 season with major star power.

The episode first aired on October 4, 2025 and quickly became one of the most-watched premieres of recent seasons. It marked Bad Bunny’s third SNL hosting appearance and Doja Cat’s long-awaited debut. With SNL currently on a short holiday break, tonight’s replay fills the gap before new episodes return in early December.

Bad Bunny’s Historic Season 51 Premiere Sets the Tone for 2025

Bad Bunny’s Season 51 premiere marked a major moment for the long-running NBC show. He became the first guest ever formally billed in back-to-back SNL episodes, following his Season 50 finale appearance earlier in the year. According to NBC’s reporting, the October premiere drew more than 4.6 million live viewers and scored a strong 18–49 rating.

His monologue blended humor and warmth, giving audiences a confident host who embraced both comedy and performance. Throughout the night, sketches highlighted his timing and charisma. His presence helped launch SNL’s new season with immediate buzz, reflecting his growing mainstream impact ahead of major milestones like the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.

Doja Cat’s debut added another high-profile moment to the broadcast. She performed “Gorgeous” and “Aaahh Men!” from her album *Vie*, earning wide social media reactions and strong reviews from outlets such as Billboard. Her performances contributed to the premiere’s energy and marked a standout moment in her 2025 music rollout.

The episode also introduced five new featured players, signaling a fresh direction for the cast. Cameos from Jon Hamm and members of HUNTR/X further expanded the episode’s star power. Together, these moments made the premiere one of SNL’s most talked-about broadcasts of the year.

How Tonight’s Rerun Fits Into SNL’s Holiday Schedule

SNL traditionally takes a brief break around Thanksgiving. This pause allows the cast and crew to reset before the final run of holiday episodes. NBC fills the gap with high-performing reruns, and Bad Bunny’s premiere is one of the season’s defining choices.

NBC will follow tonight’s broadcast with a Thanksgiving special on November 26 and another encore episode on November 29. The show returns live on December 6 with Melissa McCarthy and Dijon, followed by Josh O’Connor and Lily Allen on December 13. A star-packed Christmas episode featuring Ariana Grande and Cher will close out the year on December 20.

Tonight’s airing of Bad Bunny’s historic Season 51 premiere offers viewers a chance to revisit one of SNL’s most energetic nights of 2025. The rerun highlights how the premiere shaped the season’s direction and why Bad Bunny’s involvement remains a standout moment in recent SNL history.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why is the Bad Bunny Season 51 premiere rerunning tonight?

NBC is airing reruns during the Thanksgiving break. Bad Bunny’s historic Season 51 premiere was selected because of its high ratings and cultural impact.

Q2: What made Bad Bunny’s Season 51 premiere historic?

He became the first guest formally billed on two consecutive SNL episodes. His hosting performance also drew strong ratings and wide social reaction.

Q3: Did Doja Cat perform new music in this episode?

Yes. She performed two songs from her album *Vie*, marking her debut on the SNL stage.

Q4: When will new SNL episodes return?

New live episodes return on December 6. The December lineup includes Melissa McCarthy, Josh O’Connor, Lily Allen, Ariana Grande, and Cher.

Q5: Where can viewers watch past SNL episodes?

Full episodes and sketches are available to stream on Peacock. The platform hosts archives from past seasons.