Kate McKinnon’s ‘SNL’ Christmas Wish Is Granted in New Promo

For Kate McKinnon, it’s a Christmas miracle to be hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend.

The comedian and SNL veteran appears in a new promo released on Wednesday (Dec. 13), standing in front of the iconic Christmas tree in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza. “I know you’re probably feeling a lot of Christmas wishes right now, but I’d like to add one myself if that’s OK,” she asks the lit-up tree. “I’d really love to host SNL this week with musical guest Billie Eilish. I know! I know it’s a big ask.”

While expressing how much she misses performing at the iconic sketch comedy show, cast member Kenan Thompson opens the door to 30 Rock, where SNL is filmed. “We’re waiting for you so we can start rehearsing,” he tells a confused McKinnon, before clarifying, “For the show that you’re hosting this week.”

While McKinnon couldn’t believe that her wish “actually f—ing worked,” Thompson asked McKinnon why no one informed her sooner of her hosting gig. “I dropped my phone in the toilet in September,” she replied.

SNL alum and Barbie star McKinnon — who in the past has delivered hilarious impressions of everyone from Justin Bieber to the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg — returns to Studio 8H to host for the first time on Dec. 16. Eilish, whose song “What Was I Made For” for the Barbie soundtrack has been nominated for several 2024 Grammy awards — will be the musical guest for the third time.

Saturday Night Live airs on NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET, and streams live on Peacock. Watch the new promo video below.