Ariana Grande SNL Skits Ranked (October 2024)

Is Ariana Grande one of the greatest SNL hosts of all time?

Ariana Grande made her return to Studio 8H this past weekend for her second time this year and fourth appearance overall on Saturday Night Live, and though she leaves her mark on 30 Rock every time she visits, this one was one for the pop culture history books. She continues to remind us that she’s more than just an incredible voice, she’s also hilarious and is on a fast track to being one of the best SNL Hosts of all time.

Ariana Grande’s SNL History

Before we dive into the sketches from this week’s episode, let’s take a look back at her time spent in Studio 8H over the years.

• September 27th, 2014: Host: Chris Pratt, Musical Guest: Ariana Grande

• March 12, 2016: Host and Musical Guest: Ariana Grande

• March 9, 2024: Host: Josh Brolin, Musical Guest: Ariana Grande

• October 12, 2024: Host: Ariana Grande, Musical Guest: Stevie Nicks

Ariana Grande's SNL skits ranked (2024)

1. Maybelline

Ariana and Jennifer Coolidge’s friendship is one of my favorites in Hollywood. Jennifer has said time and time again how her cameo in the ‘thank u, next’ music video brought her career back to life and you can always tell how much Ariana just adores her. Between Chloe Fineman and Ari’s comedic back and forth timing, Ariana breaking character and gathering herself immediately like the professional that she is, and Dana Carvey’s cameo at the end, this skit was everything I could have dreamt of and more. I mean what’s better than three Jennifer Coolidge’s!?

2. Charades with Mom

Based on true events as per Ariana, I cannot express how hard I laughed watching this sketch for the first time and have continued to laugh every time I’ve revisited it. The chemistry between Ariana and Wicked co-star Bowen Yang is something so incredibly special. You can really tell how comfortable they are with each other and how they don’t take themselves too seriously. Diane (Ariana) calling Josh (Bowen) a “pathetic little gay guy” will be burned into my brain forever, but their on-screen makeout session stole the scene without a doubt. This was perfect from start to finish.

3. Bridesmaid Speech

These four ladies perfectly encapsulated the most annoying bridal party you’ve ever encountered in the best way possible. As their rendition of Espresso continues and we learn more about the scandalous bachelorette trip to Charleston, this was a masterclass in song parodies. Sabrina Carpenter even chimed in on the fun sharing the skit to her Instagram story with the caption “very nice and on pitch”.

4. Castrati

Where do I even begin with sweet, disturbed Antonio? The bowl cut? The renaissance outfit? The silent cry for help in his eye? Ariana’s ability to keep this traumatized look on her face for the entire 6:05 minutes of this sketch while Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg admit to castrating their son by twisting his testicles deserves an Emmy alone.

5. Best Friends House

When this skit first started I questioned where it was going. Is she really just that enthralled by the smell of her best friends house? Are they not going to give us more of a storyline? And boy did they give us a killer (literally) storyline. I genuinely laughed out loud when they revealed Ariana’s shaker was full of teeth and how she found herself too distracted by the snacks in the fridge to notice Sarah Sherman’s decapitated head.

6. Celine Dion Sports Promo

If singing doesn’t work out, Ariana Grande has secured a spot as a professional Celine Dion impersonator. Ariana’s ability to perfectly encapsulate Celine’s mannerisms as well as her voice (both singing and speaking) goes to show how much time she’s spent admiring this icon. If Ariana did anything during this hosting gig on SNL, she’s reminded us how great of an actress she is and that she will always jump on an opportunity to show off her impersonation skills.

7. Hotel Detective

This skit had so many laugh out loud moments. Between Ariana holding her badge upside down, the cue cards making an accidental appearance, and James Austin Johnson doubling down on his double badges, it felt like the Spider-Man Pointing meme come to life. This was another opportunity for Ariana to show off her acting chops and she absolutely nailed it.