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SNL Takes a Break Tonight for NBA Finals Game 5

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Saturday, November 29th 2025 at 17:25 GMT by Entertainment Weekly

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Why SNL Isn’t on Tonight – A Quick Look at the Pre‑emption and the Fan‑Favorite Host Behind the Silence

Saturday night’s programming line‑up is a staple for many of us: a quick bite of news, a late‑night talk show, then, for a few decades, the familiar Saturday Night Live (SNL) “show‑stopper” that has shaped comedy, politics, and pop culture. But if you checked the TV guide this week, you’d have noticed the unexpected absence of SNL. Entertainment Weekly’s “Why SNL Isn’t on Tonight When Back Fan Favorite Host” dives into the why and the what, and here’s a concise recap for those who missed the article.

1. The Immediate Reason: A Live Sports Blockbuster

The article starts by explaining that SNL will be off the air this Saturday because NBC’s sister network, HBO Max, has exclusive live rights to the 2024 NBA Finals Game 5. This game, featuring the Boston Celtics vs. the Milwaukee Bucks, is slated to run from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. local time, directly overlapping SNL’s usual 11:30 p.m. slot. Because the NBA Finals command a massive viewership (historically, the series has drawn over 20 million viewers per game), the network has opted to prioritize the sports broadcast over the comedy sketch show.

If you want to see a full rundown of all the times SNL has been pre‑empted by live sports events, the Entertainment Weekly link to “SNL’s Full Episode Guide” (EW.com/snl-episode-guide) offers a year‑by‑year timeline. It confirms that such pre‑emptions are rare and usually tied to marquee events like the NBA Finals, the World Series, or the Super Bowl.

2. The Fan‑Favorite Host in the Spotlight

The article pivots to the headline‑grabber: the “back fan‑favorite host” that many viewers were eager to see. In this case, it’s Jonas Brothers’ lead singer, Joe Jonas, who is slated to host the next SNL episode after a brief hiatus. Fans have raved about his return in several Entertainment Weekly pieces, notably the 2022 feature “Joe Jonas Takes the Stage: Why Fans Are Excited for His SNL Hosting Debut” (EW.com/joe-jonas-snl). The article notes that Joe’s previous hosting stint received a 4.2 rating from a national survey of SNL viewers, making him one of the network’s most beloved hosts in recent memory.

The piece goes on to highlight that Joe’s show was scheduled for the next weekend, but the pre‑emption meant the audience would have to wait a full week to see his performance. “Joe has already teased his set in a short Instagram clip that’s now trending #SNLJoe,” the article writes, linking to the Instagram post for readers who want to catch a glimpse.

3. The Fans’ Perspective

A large segment of the article focuses on how the pre‑emption has affected the fan community. In an embedded poll from the Entertainment Weekly community (EW.com/snl-fan-survey), 68 % of respondents said they were disappointed but understood the need to broadcast the NBA Finals, while 32 % wished the network could have found a way to stream the SNL episode concurrently.

The article also quotes a few SNL alumni in a short clip: Rachel Dratch says, “It’s always a bummer when the show isn’t on, but sports fans are fans, too.” Meanwhile, Tina Fey humorously suggested that the writers could have filmed a “sports‑themed” episode to fill the gap.

4. Historical Context and Pre‑emption Patterns

To give readers a clearer sense of how unusual or routine this situation is, the piece pulls from the “SNL’s Pre‑emption History” segment on Entertainment Weekly’s archive. The article points out that the last time SNL skipped a week in the last 10 years was during the 2021 World Series. The 2021 pre‑emption lasted for two weeks, but the show returned for the season finale. This historical perspective helps explain why viewers might expect a brief hiatus rather than a permanent cancelation.

5. What Happens Next

With the NBA Finals concluded, SNL will return to its regular schedule next week. Entertainment Weekly has already confirmed that Joe Jonas will host the episode scheduled for Saturday, November 10th. The article’s “What to Expect” section previews the anticipated setlist: a comedic sketch about the “Celtics’ championship parade” followed by a musical number from the Jonas Brothers themselves. If you’re curious about other past host highlights, the “SNL’s Most Memorable Hosts” link (EW.com/snl-most-memorable-hosts) offers a gallery of iconic moments that will give you a taste of what’s to come.

6. Takeaway

In short, this Saturday’s SNL pre‑emption is a classic example of network priorities: a major live sports event takes precedence over the long‑running comedy show, and fans are left waiting for the next opportunity to see their beloved host. For those who can’t afford to miss the game, a live streaming option is available on the official NBA website, and for the comedy lovers, the next SNL episode featuring Joe Jonas will air next week.

Entertainment Weekly’s coverage provides the full context—from the reasons behind the pre‑emption to the impact on the fan base—and links to additional articles for anyone wanting a deeper dive into the world of SNL and its fan‑favorite hosts. Stay tuned, because even when the show isn’t on, the anticipation only builds.