Ariana Grande SNL Recap

Ariana Grande blessed the SNL stage with a little bit of Glinda magic to Studio 8H ahead of the anticipated Wicked movie. This marks Grande’s second time as host (check out moments from her first time hosting in 2016). In the past, she’s showed off her iconic musical impressions — a few of which she brought back this time around. Grande was joined on the SNL stage by musical guest Stevie Nicks, who hasn’t appeared on the show since her first performance in 1983.  

The Oct 12 episode also celebrated the anniversary of SNL’s first airdate: Oct 11, 1975. Special guests and famous returning alumni have been a theme throughout the 50th season, and the episode was no exception.  

Monologue 

Grande kicked off her second SNL hosting stint with a very “low-key" monologue. She promised the audience that she would not sing or do any of her classic impressions of Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, or Miley Cyrus, before being handed a microphone and doing just that. Also rest assured, she would not be talking about Wicked under any circumstances. SNL cast member Bowen Yang had some thoughts about that. 

Bridesmaid Speech 

In a special wedding tribute, a group of  bridesmaids performed their own remix of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” It’s also the only time you’ll catch Grande singing off-key.  

My Best Friend’s House 

What’s better than eating snacks at your own house? Eating snacks at your best friend’s house! Just don’t look too closely at what’s in the fridge, or what your best friend’s dad might be up to in the basement. The musical short marked the debut of SNL writer Dan Bulla’s digital shorts with his own branded title card.  

Charades With Mom 

There’s no need to wait for Wicked to hit theaters Nov 22 to watch Grande and Yang share the stage. In the sketch, family game night turns into a matchup of mom vs. boyfriend as the two battled it out over a game of charades that got progressively more intense as it went on. Grande and Yang made up by the end though, verbal and physical scars and all.  

Stevie Nicks 

Under a thundering sky, Stevie Nicks performed her newest single, “The Lighthouse.” In her second performance of the evening, she threw it back to the past with her 1981 classic, “Edge of Seventeen.”  

Weekend Update 

Michael Che and Colin Jost returned with more election news, including Trump’s rally in the Coachella desert. They were also paid a visit by an Amazon employee (Ego Nwodim), who was so excited about Prime Day she couldn’t stay awake. "Weekend Update” wrapped up with an appearance by Oasis’ Noel and Liam Gallagher (James Austin Johnson and Sarah Sherman), who shared a sweet message on brotherly love.  

Castrati 

Buongiorno and bienvenuto to the performance of a lifetime, starring Antonio (Grande), the Italian boy whose parents (Andy Samberg and Maya Rudolph) made sure his soprano musical talents would last forever.  

Maybelline 

Maybe it’s Jennifer Coolidge? Maybe it’s Maybelline? We saw double Jennifers with Grande and SNL cast member Chloe Fineman showing off their impressions in a Maybelline commercial. But what’s better than two Jennifers: How about three? 

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