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Jalen Brunson Hosts 'SNL' Season 52 Premiere With KATSEYE
Confirmed
In Short: Jalen Brunson, the NBA Finals MVP, made his Saturday Night Live hosting debut on the show's 52nd season premiere, alongside musical guest KATSEYE.
Brunson, known for his basketball skills, showcased his comedic abilities in a parody of 'High School Musical,' where he played an athletically gifted student who repeatedly outshines the main character, played by Jeremy Culhane.
In another sketch, Brunson, as Shark Tank judge Daymond John, humorously questioned the functionality of a product called Respectacles, a pair of glasses that sound an alarm when the wearer looks at breasts.
KATSEYE, a global girl group formed through the HYBE-and-Geffen-Records competition series The Debut: Dream Academy, performed two songs from their latest EP 'Wild': 'Animal' and 'Hootie Frutti'.
The group's EP 'Wild' has earned them Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the upcoming 68th ceremony.
Only four of KATSEYE's six members took the stage, with Manon Bannerman and Sophia Laforteza currently on hiatus to protect their wellbeing.
The group's performance marked another major US television milestone, following appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and the Today summer concert series.
Brunson's hosting debut was set up to be a slam dunk, thanks to the excitement of the show's return and the high of Knicks feverdom.
Despite some inconsistency in the writing, the night was filled with energy, with Brunson's fellow Knicks players Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart making an early appearance.
KATSEYE's Wild era continues with four members currently carrying the torch, while the group's rapid rise from a reality-show lineup to one of pop's fastest-rising acts is a testament to their talent and hard work.
Background
Saturday Night Live (SNL) is an American late-night live sketch comedy variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Michaels and Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock. The show's premiere was hosted by George Carlin on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title NBC's Saturday Night.
High School Musical is a 2006 American musical television film produced by and aired on Disney Channel as part of the network's slate of original television films. The first installment of the High School Musical series, the film was directed by choreographer and filmmaker Kenny Ortega from a screenplay by Peter Barsocchini.
What's confirmed
- Brunson, known for his basketball skills, showcased his comedic abilities in a parody of 'High School Musical,' where he played an athletically gifted student who repeatedly outshines the main character, played by Jeremy Culhane.
- In another sketch, Brunson, as Shark Tank judge Daymond John, humorously questioned the functionality of a product called Respectacles, a pair of glasses that sound an alarm when the wearer looks at breasts.
- KATSEYE, a global girl group formed through the HYBE-and-Geffen-Records competition series The Debut: Dream Academy, performed two songs from their latest EP 'Wild': 'Animal' and 'Hootie Frutti'.
- The group's EP 'Wild' has earned them Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the upcoming 68th ceremony.
- Only four of KATSEYE's six members took the stage, with Manon Bannerman and Sophia Laforteza currently on hiatus to protect their wellbeing.
- The group's performance marked another major US television milestone, following appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and the Today summer concert series.
- Brunson's hosting debut was set up to be a slam dunk, thanks to the excitement of the show's return and the high of Knicks feverdom.
- Despite some inconsistency in the writing, the night was filled with energy, with Brunson's fellow Knicks players Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart making an early appearance.
- KATSEYE's Wild era continues with four members currently carrying the torch, while the group's rapid rise from a reality-show lineup to one of pop's fastest-rising acts is a testament to their talent and hard work.
What's still developing
- On Saturday’s Season 52 premiere, the NBA Finals 2026 MVP showed off some comedic chops in an otherwise business-as-usual episode of the NBC sketch comedy show, which featured Katseye as its musical guest.
- “When I spent $1,200 on that meet-and-greet, I never expected her to actually greet his meat,” said Brunson as the other group members comforted him.
- The quartet also performed in a mini music video with the awkward group of ladies, also featuring Jane Wickline and Veronika Slowikowska.
- RELATED: ‘SNL’s Weekend Update Mocks Paramount+, ‘Spider-Man’, ‘The Odyssey’ & ‘Obsession’ Saturday Night Live kicked off its 52nd season this weekend on NBC with host Brunson and musical guest Katseye.
- The season continues with guest hosts Dakota Johnson, Shane Gillis and Inde Navarrette, along with musical guests Turnstile, Rosalía and Gracie Abrams.
- KATSEYE kicked off Saturday Night Live's 52nd season as the show's first musical guest, performing two songs from their new EP Wild during the September 26 premiere hosted by Knicks star Jalen Brunson.
- The group performed "Animal" - the EP's lead single, co-written by Ed Sheeran - and "Hootie Frutti" in their long-anticipated SNL debut.
- Wild, released in August, gave the group its first No.
- As the group's Wild era rolls on with four members currently carrying the torch, it's worth remembering the two who stepped back are doing so to protect their wellbeing - a decision worth a quiet prayer for their peace and full return, whenever that may be.
- The group's latest EP also includes “Pinky Up”, “Bel Air” and “That Way”.
- The group has continued expanding its presence in the US since emerging from Dream Academy two years ago, with their latest television appearances adding to their growing profile beyond the K-pop scene.
- Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson was a major reason that this summer in Mamdanistan felt like magic, thanks to leading the Knicks to their first championship in 53 years.