Nikki Glaser’s bold SNL debut sparks chatter; who hosted, who played, and what’s coming next

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

Nikki Glaser’s bold SNL

Comedian Nikki Glaser made her Saturday Night Live hosting debut on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, guiding Season 51’s fifth episode with a nine-minute stand-up monologue and a slate of sketches that leaned weird, sharp, and fast. Rising pop act Sombr delivered two energetic performances, giving Studio 8H a neon-slick jolt between acts. Since the broadcast, searches for “Nikki Glaser SNL,” “SNL host tonight,” and “musical guest SNL tonight” have spiked—here’s the quick clarity.

SNL last night/this week: the essentials

Host: Nikki Glaser (first time)
Musical guest: Sombr (performed “12 to 12” and “Back to Friends”)
What stood out: A boundary-pushing monologue that divided viewers; a loopy “Mechanical Bull” party piece; the high-concept “Spirit Tunnel Anxiety” pre-tape; and a fairy-tale riff, “Beauty and Mr. Beast.”
Cameo heat: A surprise Weekend Update drop-in from a recent former cast member, plus the show’s signature political cold open to start the night.

Looking ahead: SNL returns Saturday, Nov. 15 with Glen Powell hosting and Olivia Dean as musical guest.

“Nikki Glaser SNL sign-off” and monologue reaction

Glaser’s goodnights capped a brisk episode, but the online conversation has centered on the monologue, which tackled sensitive subject matter with her trademark roast-comic bluntness. Reaction has been mixed: supporters praised the commitment to doing a real club-tested set in 8H; critics felt the material stepped over comfort lines. Either way, it was unmistakably Glaser—polished, confrontational, and precise.

Sketch playbook: why the episode hit a different gear

This outing favored surreal premises over cameo parades. A karaoke sketch weaponized awkward eye contact; the Spirit Tunnel parody skewered daytime-TV spectacle; and a fairy-tale spoof stitched online-creator culture into a classic storybook frame. The approach let Glaser do what she does best—commit hard—while giving newer Season 51 players room to pop.

Who is Nikki Glaser? (and how tall is she)

Bio snapshot: Stand-up since the early 2000s, Glaser has hosted multiple TV projects, fronted roasts, and toured extensively. In 2025, she also took on a major awards-show hosting role.
Height: 5 ft 9 in (about 175 cm).
Style: High-velocity, confessional, and razor-edged; a comic who writes and rehearses relentlessly, then plays close to the edge on live TV.

“Sombr SNL”: meet the musical guest

Stage name Sombr (pronounced like the hat without the “ero”) turned in a polished Studio 8H debut, blending ‘80s-inflected synth, tight choreography, and pop-R&B hooks. If your feed is suddenly full of “12 to 12” or “Back to Friends,” that’s why—both cuts got prime-time shine and a Monday-morning playlist bump.

Quick answers to the top searches

SNL host tonight / who is hosting SNL tonight: The next new episode is Saturday, Nov. 15 — Glen Powell hosts.
Musical guest SNL tonight / SNL musical guest tonight: Olivia Dean on Nov. 15.
SNL last night: Nikki Glaser hosted with Sombr as musical guest on Nov. 8.
Who is Nikki Glaser: American stand-up, TV host, and roast comic; height 5'9".
Nicki/Nikki Glaser: It’s Nikki (with two k’s).
“Sombr SNL” spelling: The artist stylizes as Sombr (no “e”).

Why this episode matters for Season 51

After a milestone anniversary season with heavy nostalgia, Season 51 is testing new cast chemistry and letting first-time hosts set the tone. Glaser’s show signaled a willingness to take risks—less cameo comfort food, more premise commitment—and to hand sizeable moments to rising players and a breakout musical guest.

If you’re catching up

Start with the monologue to see what’s driving the discourse.
Hit “Mechanical Bull” for maximal studio chaos, then the Spirit Tunnel pre-tape for sharp, modern satire.
Close with Sombr’s second performance for the full sonic palette.

Nikki Glaser’s SNL wasn’t built for unanimity—and that’s the point. It was a live-wire hour that let a first-time host be unmistakably herself, vaulted Sombr into more playlists, and set up next Saturday’s Glen Powell / Olivia Dean show with momentum and conversation to spare.