The popular sketch comedy series, Saturday Night Live (SNL), will not air a new episode tonight, February 14, 2026, due to NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics taking place in Milan. This marks the second consecutive week that SNL has been preempted, leaving fans to await the highly anticipated hosting debut of actor Connor Storrie.
Viewers might feel puzzled as they search for SNL in its usual timeslot, only to discover that the show has been sidelined for Olympic programming. The Winter Olympics coverage will begin at 11:30 PM ET and run until 1 AM ET, affecting not just SNL but other popular NBC shows. The ongoing sporting event has also resulted in the suspension of all three One Chicago series—Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med—for the next few weeks.
As the network prepares for the Olympics, SNL has experienced significant changes in its lineup during the current season. Following the show’s milestone 50th anniversary, several cast members have announced their exits. Longtime performers Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim will depart, along with newer additions such as Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and Michael Longfellow. Additionally, Bowen Yang left the cast mid-season. In response, SNL introduced new talent, including Tommy Brennan, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska, and Ben Marshall.
Looking ahead, SNL is set to return to its regular programming on February 28, 2026. This upcoming episode, which will be the 13th of season 51, will feature Connor Storrie as the host, along with the band Mumford & Sons as the musical guest. While promotional content for the episode has yet to be released, it is customary for such materials to be developed in the week leading up to the live show, coinciding with sketch writing and rehearsals.
The anticipation surrounding Storrie’s hosting debut raises questions about the direction of the episode. Given his rising fame from the series Heated Rivalry, it remains to be seen whether SNL will create a parody related to his recent work or take a different approach entirely. Fans will have to wait until the end of the month to find out.
As SNL navigates these changes and the impact of the Winter Olympics, the show continues to adapt and evolve, maintaining its status as a centerpiece of American comedy.
