Saturday Night Live has set Will Ferrell to host its May 16 season finale, with Paul McCartney booked as musical guest for the closing episode of Season 51. Ferrell is returning for his sixth time as host.
The finale gives SNL one of its most recognizable former cast members back onstage at the end of a season that has leaned on a mix of new and familiar names. Ferrell, who was a cast member for seven seasons from 1995 to 2002, is best known for Elf, Anchorman and Step Brothers. He now stars in the Netflix comedy series The Hawk, which he also created.
The pairing also brings McCartney back to a show he has visited repeatedly. This will be his fifth appearance as a musical guest, and he has also made several cameos on the program, including appearances in the 40th and 50th anniversary specials. His return comes as he prepares to release his album The Boys of Dungeon Lane on May 29.
Read Also: Matt Damon returns to host SNL as NBC lines up May finale run
The finale slot follows two other episodes announced for the run-up to the end of the season. Olivia Rodrigo will host and serve as musical guest on May 2, making her hosting debut after previous SNL appearances as a musical guest in 2021 and 2023. Matt Damon will host on May 9, with Noah Kahan as musical guest. Damon is hosting for the third time, after previous turns in 2002 and 2018, when he also earned an Emmy nomination for his appearance. Kahan is returning as musical guest for a second time, just after the April 24 release of his fourth album, The Great Divide.
Read Also: Joshua Bassett faces backlash after teasing Rookie memoir about Olivia Rodrigo
Rodrigo’s episode arrives before the June 12 release of her third album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. But the final word of the season belongs to Ferrell, whose history with the show is deep enough that his return is less a stunt than a homecoming, and McCartney’s appearance gives the finale a clear sense of occasion.
