Finn Wolfhard is set to host the first episode of “Saturday Night Live” for 2026, with A$AP Rocky as the musical guest. This much-anticipated episode is scheduled to air on January 17, right after Wolfhard’s beloved series “Stranger Things” concludes its run on Netflix with a series finale on December 31.
In a recent conversation with Variety, Wolfhard expressed his thoughts on moving forward after “Stranger Things,” stating that he aims to embrace the show’s legacy rather than attempt to replace it. “The way for me to sort of advance in my life and my career is not to try to replace the show. It’s to try to really embrace it,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of remembering where his journey began.
On the music front, A$AP Rocky is gearing up to showcase songs from his new album, “Don’t Be Dumb,” which is set to be released a day before the SNL episode, on January 16. Rocky shared insights into his latest project with Variety, highlighting his collaboration with folk musician Jessica Pratt on the single “Highjack.” He praised her ethereal voice, noting, “Nobody would have thought to put Jessica Pratt on that, but I think her voice is so angelic. She literally let me write the whole thing, and she just sang it beautifully.”
The announcement of Wolfhard’s hosting gig and Rocky’s performance was made during the December 20 episode of SNL, which featured Ariana Grande as host and Cher as the musical guest. Notably, that episode marked the farewell of Bowen Yang, who confirmed his departure from the show earlier that day.
This upcoming episode promises to be a memorable occasion, celebrating the end of one era while simultaneously ushering in new beginnings for both Wolfhard and Rocky.