'Saturday Night Live' Season 52: Jalen Brunson hosts premiere with KATSEYE as musical guests

Jalen Brunson made his Saturday Night Live hosting debut as season 52 opened with Katseye as musical guests, while newcomers Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter joined the cast.

The premiere also marked Chloe Fineman’s departure after seven seasons.

The cold open featured Ramy Youssef as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani filming a storm warning before James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump arrived to discuss their unusual friendship, the Knicks, AI and Iran.

Ashley Padilla then appeared as Natalie Harp, leading to a confrontation with Trump. “Hurt him, and I will end you,” she snarls.

Brunson’s monologue referenced the Knicks’ finals performances before Kenan Thompson appeared as Stephen A. Smith.

Knicks players Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart also joined the segment.

In “Office Shooter”, Brunson played an employee determined to make a basketball shot with a paper ball. He eventually succeeds, prompting cheers from the audience.

“Dream Academy: Season 2” introduced new contestants alongside KATSEYE, who performed “Newton’s Cradle”. Grace Reiter, Veronika Slowikowsky and Jane Wickline featured in the sketch.

KATSEYE went on to perform their song "Animal" during their debut on SNL.

“Chris Brown and Usher Support Group” centred on relationship jealousy following experiences involving the singers’ tour, while “High School Musical: The New Generation” placed Brunson in a school basketball story that turned into a competition over sports and theatre.

The final segment, “Layover”, followed Padilla dealing with her father’s hospitalisation while travelling home with her boyfriend. Brunson and Mikey Day played passengers using massage chairs, creating disruption aboard the flight.

Former SNL cast member Jeff Richards also discussed athletes who have hosted the programme and said, “Muhammad Ali would have been the best of all time.” Richards added of Brunson, “He’s already a New York icon.”