Saturday Night Live: Miles Teller returns as host with musical guest Brandi Carlile

Shane Gillis and Ramy Youssef joined Teller in delivering poised sketches, sharp humour, and standout performances

Saturday Night Live returned with Miles Teller hosting for the second time, joined by musical guest Brandi Carlile.

Teller, last seen on SNL during season 48, appeared ahead of his upcoming film Eternity. The Cold Open featured a Spectrum NY1 mayoral debate parody, with Teller as Andrew Cuomo, Ramy Youssef as Zohran Mamdani, and Shane Gillis as Curtis Sliwa.

Kenan Thompson anchored the sketch, while James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump interrupted with a dramatic Phantom of the Opera flourish.

Teller’s monologue struck a personal note as he reflected on losing his home in the Pacific Palisades fire and finding comfort in Studio 8H. Former cast member Aristotle Athari praised Teller’s timing and poise.

Sketch highlights included Hungover Halloween Game Show, with Thompson hosting contestants too ill to recall their antics, and White House Makeover, where Teller spoofed the Property Brothers beside Johnson’s Trump. Hockey PSA saw Teller playing a hapless Nashville Predator, while Missing Wives Docuseries gently mocked clueless husbands.

On Weekend Update, Colin Jost and Michael Che delivered pointed political jokes before Bowen Yang revived his chaotic George Santos impression. Ashley Padilla and Andrew Dismukes returned for a sharp romantic callback sketch.

Brandi Carlile performed "Church & State and "Human", both politically charged and vocally powerful. Teller’s final sketches, Murder Press Briefing and Italian Restaurant Date, showcased his commitment to character comedy, even when the material wavered.

The episode balanced grounded humour with flashes of absurdity, sustained by Teller’s charm and Thompson’s reliability. Season 51 continues confidently, with strong writing and a lively ensemble driving the night’s success.