TL;DR
SNL is finally back after the post-Olympics hiatus, and Mumford & Sons are taking the stage as the musical guest. If your kids are asking to stay up late, here’s the deal: the music is safe (if a bit "dad-rock" adjacent these days), but the sketches are the usual TV-14 gamble. If you want the "vibe" without the 11:30 PM meltdown, we recommend checking out The Wild Robot by Peter Brown for that same earthy energy or playing a round of Catan while you wait for the highlights to drop on YouTube tomorrow morning.
The Olympics are over, the withdrawal from watching curling at 3:00 AM is setting in, and we are finally getting back into our regular weekend routines. That means Saturday Night Live is back in the building.
Tonight’s musical guest is Mumford & Sons, a band that probably soundtracked your entire 2012—and they’re back to prove they’ve still got the stomp-and-holler energy that made them famous. If you’ve got a middle schooler who is suddenly into "folk-core" or "cottagecore" aesthetics, they might actually be interested in this one.
But as intentional parents, the question isn't just "who is playing?" It's "is this worth the sleep deprivation and the potential 'brain rot' of a mediocre Weekend Update?" Let’s break it down.
If you haven’t kept up, Mumford & Sons have evolved past the "everyone wear a vest and play a banjo" phase. While they still have that signature acoustic-heavy sound, their newer stuff leans a bit more into atmospheric rock.
For your kids, they might recognize Marcus Mumford from his solo work or his collaborations with artists like Noah Kahan, who has single-handedly made folk music "cool" again for Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
Why Kids Actually Like This (The "Noah Kahan" Effect)
There’s a massive trend on TikTok and Instagram right now involving "nature-core" and acoustic storytelling. While your kids might call Mumford & Sons "mid" compared to newer artists, the DNA of this music is all over what they’re listening to. It’s earnest, it’s loud, and it’s generally pretty clean.
Ask our chatbot about the best "clean" folk artists for kids
We talk a lot about "brain rot" here at Screenwise—that specific type of low-effort, high-stimulation content like Skibidi Toilet or infinite scroll Reels that leaves kids (and adults) feeling like zombies.
Saturday Night Live is a different beast. It’s "legacy media," but it’s trying very hard to stay relevant. You’ll see sketches about "Ohio" (which just means "weird" now, if you’re keeping track) and "Rizz," often written by writers who are clearly looking at what’s trending on TikTok.
The risk with SNL isn't usually "brain rot" in the sense of quality; it’s the content. It’s rated TV-14 for a reason. There will be double entendres, political satire that might go over a 10-year-old’s head, and the occasional "edgy" joke that lands with a thud.
If your 11- or 12-year-old wants to watch tonight, here is the Screenwise-approved strategy:
- The "Morning After" Compromise: SNL is designed for the YouTube era now. Almost every sketch and both musical performances will be on the Saturday Night Live YouTube Channel by 8:00 AM tomorrow. Watch it over pancakes. You can skip the boring sketches and get straight to Mumford & Sons.
- The "Musical Guest Only" Rule: If they really want to see the performance live, let them stay up for the first set (usually around midnight) and then it’s lights out.
- The Context Play: Use this as a chance to talk about how music trends cycle. Show them the old "stomp and holler" memes and then listen to a track from Stardew Valley to show how that acoustic, cozy vibe has moved into gaming.
Learn more about setting healthy sleep boundaries around tech
If your kids are into the earthy, acoustic, "Mumford" vibe but you want to steer them toward something more age-appropriate or interactive, here are our top picks:
Ages 7+ If your kid likes the "folk" aesthetic, this is the ultimate game. It’s about building a farm, community, and living a simple life. The soundtrack is incredible and fits the Mumford & Sons vibe perfectly without any of the late-night TV edge.
Ages 8-12 This book (and the subsequent movie) captures that same raw, nature-focused energy. It’s about a robot surviving in the wilderness and becoming part of the natural world. It’s a modern classic for a reason.
Ages 10+ Looking for a family activity while you wait for the show to start? Wingspan is a gorgeous board game about bird collecting. It’s sophisticated, peaceful, and has that same "intentional" feel that we love.
Ages 10+ The "stomp and holler" of video games. It’s all about exploration, acoustic piano scores, and a sense of wonder in the natural world. It’s a much better use of a Saturday night than watching a 45-minute "Weekend Update" segment that might not even be funny.
- Ages 0-9: Skip it. There’s nothing here for them, and the humor is too adult-oriented. Stick to Bluey or Storyline Online.
- Ages 10-13: Watch with caution. This is the "curiosity" phase. They want to know what the big kids are watching. If you do let them watch, be prepared to explain a few jokes or fast-forward through the more "adult" sketches.
- Ages 14+: This is the target demographic. At this point, they’ve seen worse on TikTok. Use the sketches as conversation starters about current events or media literacy.
Wait, is there controversy? Not really—at least not the kind you have to worry about with MrBeast or Roblox. A few years ago, one of the founding members left the band after some political tweets caused a stir, but the current lineup is largely drama-free. They are professional, talented musicians who actually play their own instruments—which, in 2026, is a great thing to show your kids.
Tonight's Saturday Night Live with Mumford & Sons is a relatively "safe" entry point if your older kids are starting to get interested in late-night TV. The music is soulful and clean, and the show is a cultural touchstone.
However, don't feel pressured to let them stay up. The "best of" clips will be waiting for you in the morning, and a well-rested kid is always better than a kid who knows what happened on Weekend Update at 12:15 AM.
Next Steps:
- Check out the Mumford & Sons page to see if their music fits your family's "WISE" score.
- If you decide to skip the late night, queue up The Wild Robot for a family movie night instead.
- Ask our chatbot for a curated list of folk-inspired media for your kids' specific ages
Enjoy the show (or the sleep)!