Saturday Night Live returned for its second episode of Season 52 on October 3, 2026, with Dakota Johnson hosting for the third time and Baltimore hardcore band Turnstile making their debut as musical guest. The night featured a biting political cold open, a surprise appearance from Taylor Swift during Johnson’s monologue, and a landmark musical performance that broke a 45-year gap for hardcore music on the Studio 8H stage.
Cold Open Skewers Trump and Republican Midterm Ads
The episode opened with a mock Republican National Committee strategy session, with Ashley Padilla and Andrew Dismukes playing strategists struggling to craft a message for the upcoming midterm elections. Marcello Hernández appeared as Marco Rubio, delivering a Spanish-language message blaming Donald Trump for tricking Hispanic voters.
Mikey Day played a wheelchair-bound Mitch McConnell who could only flash a peace sign. Colin Jost portrayed Pete Hegseth, chugging a non-alcoholic beer while urging voters to “do the gayest thing ever and vote.” Jeremy Culhane played JD Vance, whose pitch for 2028 was met with laughter.
James Austin Johnson closed the sketch as Trump, delivering a rambling pitch that promised $5,000 checks to voters if Republicans win.
“$5,000 for every voter, but it’s not a bribe because I have no intention of doing it.”
The sketch also featured new slogans like “imagination makes a MAGA nation” and identical victory and concession messages: “We did it, we won!”
Dakota Johnson Monologue Turns Dating History Into Punchlines
Dakota Johnson opened her monologue by noting her birthday would arrive at midnight, joking she would celebrate by “standing in midtown in a tight-ass latex dress looking for attention.” She quickly turned to her romantic history, referencing her two public breakups with musicians Chris Martin of Coldplay and singer-songwriter Role Model.
“Some people leave concerts with merch, and I leave concerts with a two-and-a-half year relationship.”
Johnson also compared her new film Verity to her dating life, calling the movie a “psychosexual erotic thriller” and adding, “So is dating musicians. Some of them don’t wear shoes, some of them are terrible in bed — but all of them are in my DMs.”
Taylor Swift Surprises as Johnson’s Therapist
Taylor Swift walked onstage after Johnson said she had supportive friends who don’t judge her. Johnson introduced her as her “literal therapist,” prompting Swift to set the record straight.
“I’m not your therapist, actually. You just show up once a week at my house with an empty bottle of wine and ask if I want some.”
Swift continued the joke, saying Johnson “flops on my couch and overshares” while she simply responds, “Damn, that’s crazy.” Johnson asked if that wasn’t therapy, and Swift explained the nights end with her giving Johnson Pedialyte and having security drive her home.
Johnson closed the segment with a joke about her dating history serving a public purpose:
“I think actually I’m doing a public service by dating them, because, ladies, I am saving you a lot of money on Zoloft. So you’re welcome, America. And also England. And parts of Ireland. And Cleveland.”
Swift later returned during the goodnights with a birthday cake for Johnson.
Turnstile Makes History With Hardcore Performance
Turnstile became the first hardcore band to play Saturday Night Live in 45 years, since Fear’s notorious 1981 performance. The Baltimore band opened with “Birds,” featuring a drum solo from Daniel Fang, and later performed a medley of “I Care” and “Dull.”
“Turnstile go beyond hardcore of course: last year they became the first act to be nominated for rock, alternative, and metal awards in a single Grammys ceremony. They won Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance.”
The second performance was staged in front of a wall of rotary telephones, with a single phone blinking red as Brendan Yates began singing.
You May Also Like:
Other Sketches From the Night
“Press Your Luck” featured Johnson as Elizabeth Banks hosting a game show where contestant Sherri (Ashley Padilla) repeatedly lost her winnings to the Whammy.
“Mean, Scary Girlfriend” cast Johnson as a brutally honest partner who delivers harsh truths to helpless boyfriends.
“Guns for Women” was a fake commercial for a pink firearm shaped like female anatomy, described as available “at the opposite of Dick’s Sporting Goods.”
A Game of Thrones spin-off sketch featured Johnson as a queen whose romantic attempts were interrupted by her dragons.
The final sketch, starring Veronika Slowikowska as a woman trying to wake her father from a coma by singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” was not posted online, likely due to music rights issues.
How to Watch SNL Season 52
Saturday Night Live airs live on NBC and streams on Peacock every Saturday at 11:30 PM ET/PT.
Viewers in the United States can watch live on NBC or stream on Peacock. Canada viewers can watch on Global TV and stream on Peacock. United Kingdom viewers can watch on Sky Comedy and Now TV. Australia viewers can watch on Stan. India viewers can stream on Peacock or JioTV.
Also Read: SNL UK Season 2: Danny Dyer, James Norton and Cynthia Erivo Set to Host October Episodes
Stay with VvipTimes for more SNL coverage and entertainment updates.
Leave a Reply