SNL Season 51 Highlights: Top Cold Opens, Monologues, Live Sketches and the New The Rundown Series

If you missed a laugh or two, Season 51 of Saturday Night Live kept the jokes rolling from October 4, 2025 to May 16, 2026. NBC and Peacock have taken the curtain back and released a series of videos that rank the most‑watched segments from the season, giving fans a quick look at what really grabbed their attention. Top 5 Cold Opens Cold opens are the first sketches that set the tone for an episode. In Season 51, the most‑viewed cold opens on the show’s digital platforms were:

1. Pentagon Press Conference – a satirical take on military briefings. 2. Epstein White House Briefing – a sketch that parodied a high‑profile government session. 3. Other cold opens – while the article does not list the remaining three, the series notes that these were also among the most‑watched.

The ranking reflects the show’s continued focus on topical political humor. Most‑Watched Monologues The opening monologue is a staple of SNL, and Season 51’s leaders were:

- Bad Bunny – the season’s first host, who delivered the opening monologue. - Will Ferrell – the final host of the season, who closed the series with his monologue.

These monologues were highlighted as the most‑viewed on the network’s digital platforms. Top 5 Live Sketches Live sketches are performed in front of a studio audience and are often the most memorable moments of an episode. The top five live sketches from Season 51 include:

1. Passing Notes – a sketch that gained significant online attention. 2. Dancing 101 – another popular live segment. 3. Additional live sketches – the series lists three more, though specific titles are not provided.

These sketches demonstrate the variety of humor that SNL offers, from absurd scenarios to musical parodies. The Rundown – Building the Perfect Show Alongside the rankings, NBC has launched a short‑form digital series called The Rundown. The show invites former and current SNL performers to visit Studio 8H and select a favorite segment from the show’s history to add to a “Rundown board.” The goal is to create an all‑star episode.

The latest episode features Kenan Thompson. He reviews iconic live sketches such as The Chris Farley Show and Beavis and Butt‑Head, then chooses his personal favorite: Sally O’Malley’s Rockette Open Audition from the December 11, 1999 episode hosted by Danny DeVito with musical guest R.E.M.

Other notable guests who have appeared on The Rundown include Dana Carvey, Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, Colin Jost, Bowen Yang, Questlove, Jack Black and Sarah Sherman. Season Context Season 51 marked the show’s 1,000th episode on January 31 2026, with host Alexander Skarsgård and musical guest Cardi B. The season began with Bad Bunny and concluded with Will Ferrell, and it ran alongside the launch of Saturday Night Live UK, which premiered on Sky One on March 21 2026 and was renewed for a second series.

The data released by NBC and Peacock provides a snapshot of what viewers enjoyed most during the season, highlighting the show’s continued relevance and its ability to adapt to current events while maintaining its classic sketch‑comedy format. Takeaway Season 51’s top cold opens, monologues and live sketches illustrate the enduring appeal of SNL’s blend of satire, musical talent and live performance. The new The Rundown series adds a meta‑layer, allowing fans to see how past segments are celebrated and reimagined by the show’s own performers.