When SNL alumni return for hosting duties, they tend to dust off some old favorites. Molly Shannon did plenty of that on Saturday. The Emmy-winning performer — who can be seen in the Florence Pugh drama A Good Person and just published the memoir Hello, Molly! — threw in a nod to Mary Katherine Gallagher, her uptight Catholic school girl who just wants to dance, in her opening monologue. Later she resurrected her bad stand-up Jeannie Darcy. But perhaps the biggest one was when she broke out another dancing character, Sally O’Malley.
Debuted in 1999, Sally is a salty, spry, and perpetually 50-year-old energy bomb, clad in a red jump-suit with a towering bouffant ‘do. She’s a symbol of eternal youth in an ever-aging body. The musical guest that night were the Jonas Brothers, who were game to team up with Shannon for the episode’s big promo, and again when Sally O’Malley made her triumphant return.
The sketch finds Sally being recruited by the trio to be their new choreographer. Their exiting choreographers are nonplussed about it, doubting that the Jonases would want an older vibe. But they’re wrong: Kevin, Joe, and Nick are already wearing their own red jump-suits and are ready to do some high kicks.
Once again, joined by his all-women backing band, Yachty brought out Diana Gordon, who flawlessly sang the song’s intro. Yachty, dressed in jeans, a blue-stripped button-down shirt, and a large fur trapper hat, delivered soft, soothing vocals, as he sang the song’s second verse and chorus.
This performance was more vibrant than Yachty’s first of the night, as the stage was lit up with a background of clouds in the blue sky. Yachty, Gordon, and the band all maintained their rockstar energy.
In a recent interview with Billboard, Yachty revealed that he initially felt anxious about sharing his earlier music with the world. But since making a pivot to psychedelic rock sounds with Let’s Start Here, he feels a lot more confident.
“I was always kind of nervous to put out music, but now I’m on some other sh*t,” Yachty says. “It was a lot of self-assessing and being very real about not being happy with where I was musically, knowing I’m better than where I am. Because the sh*t I was making did not add up to the sh*t I listened to.”
You can watch the performance of “Drive Me Crazy” above.
Lil Yachty is maintaining his momentum after having dropped his critically-acclaimed fourth album, Let’s Start Here back in January. Tonight (April 1), Yachty made his debut on the Saturday Night Live stage, where he performed, “The Black Seminole,’ the opening track from the album.
During the performance, Yachty maintained an air of mystery, wearing dark sunglasses and a hoodie. The stage was lit with blue and black lighting, and filled with plants and greenery. In the background was a flashing moon surrounded by a rainbow. Yachty was accompanied by an all-women backing band, for which he had posted a call for auditions back in January.
In an interview with Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe, he elaborated on why he wanted to assemble an all-women band.
“I just feel like women don’t get as much respect as men when it comes to the music industry,” said Yachty. “So I was like, ‘These songs are pretty badass, and I want to show women playing them.”
Midway through the performance, the beat transitioned to a smooth, vocal interlude, performed by Diana Gordon, who delivered smooth, impeccable sounds, dressed in an elegant ivory gown.
You can check out the performance of “The Black Seminole” above.
For nearly half a century, SNL has been an iconic presence in comedy, bringing its sharp humor to millions of viewers every week. Its vibrant and raw energy has become a veritable breeding ground for many of today’s most celebrated entertainers. Many of the show’s alumni have also gone on to pursue hugely successful acting careers after their time in the program.
From Eddie Murphy to Jim Carrey, SNL has provided a platform for some of the funniest people in the business. Celebrity culture hasn’t been able to escape the satirical jabs of this long-running show either. The sheer magnitude of sketches throughout the years makes it a tough task to narrow down the very best ones.
1. More Cowbell
There’s no shortage of iconic Saturday Night Live sketches, but “More Cowbell” is sure to top the list. This sketch takes place in 1976 at Sunshine Studios. It centers around Blue Oyster Cult’s classic hit “Don’t Fear (the Reaper)”. Led by actors Will Ferrell as Gene Frenkle and Christopher Walken as producer Bruce Dickinson, the cast also features Chris Kattan, Chris Parnell, Horatio Sanz, and Jimmy Fallon.
The comic climax of the skit comes when Bruce insists the band must use more cowbell, which Ferrell proceeds to do in all his dance-induced glory. Whether it’s Walken’s ‘Fever for More Cowbell’ line or Ferrell’s infectious drumming style that tickles your funny bone, this sketch is guaranteed to bring a laugh.
2. Wayne’s World
Mike Myers was once among the most revered comedians in Hollywood, with his career skyrocketing after his appearances on Saturday Night Live. He had a multitude of memorable characters during his stint on the show. But, none achieved more visibility than Wayne Campbell from “Wayne’s World.”
Teaming up with Garth Algar (Dana Carvey), Wayne hosted a public-access cable show which thrust them into stardom and earned them two feature-length movies. The show also brought about the much-adored catchphrases “Schwing,” “Party on,” and “Hurl.” It is undoubtedly difficult to avoid mentioning “Wayne’s World” when discussing iconic SNL skits.
3.Chippendales Audition
When Mike Myers, Patrick Swayze, and Chris Farley come together, the outcome is nothing less than artful. The unforgettable Chippendales skit sees two competitors – Adrian (Patrick Swayze) and Barney (Chris Farley). They are competing for a spot in the cast.
We don’t want to take away any of the surprises that this classic sketch has in store for you, so we’ll encourage you to watch it! We feel privileged to have been able to enjoy the acting talent of Patrick Swayze and Chris Farley.
4. JetBlue Flight 292
We must not forget the JetBlue Flight 292 skit from 2005, which Steve Carell and Amy Poehler starred. While they were on the plane that was headed for disaster, Steve stayed completely oblivious while watching Animal Planet and learning about male seahorses getting pregnant.
Meanwhile, the pilot nonchalantly mentioned they would be making a pitstop in LA and that their airline had potato chips. In contrast, Amy remained concerned throughout the entire situation. The animated breakdown of their potential doom was heart-wrenching and humorous, making you feel guilty for laughing. Yet, Steve never seemed to worry at all.
5. Papyrus
In season 43 of the show, Ryan Gosling embodied a character fixated on a seemingly mundane detail: the choice of font used for the title of Avatar. To the average person, this issue may have seemed inconsequential, but to Gosling’s character it provoked so much distress that he felt compelled to seek out a therapist. Ultimately, even this visit proved fruitless as the sequels went ahead with the same font.
Unwilling to accept such a defeat, Gosling’s character then embarked on an intrepid mission to track down the individual responsible for the supposed design disaster – though his search ultimately proved unnecessary, as future Avatar movies have since seen a switch in font. A humorous resolution to an otherwise relentless pursuit.
6. Weekend Update: Stefon
Stefon, portrayed by Bill Hader on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update segment, is a figure of legendary eccentricity. As a guide for tourists seeking unique experiences, he has recommended activities and conceptions so strange they verge on the surreal.
All thanks to the expert comedic timing of Hader and the endlessly inventive punch lines of co-creator John Mulaney, audiences are privileged to see a master craftsman break the fourth wall. The combination of jaunty hilarity and affable humor sets Stefon apart from any other SNL character.
7. Matt Foley: Van Down By The River
Chris Farley is widely recognized as one of the most entertaining stars to have graced the Saturday Night Live stage. His most renowned act, the character Matt Foley, is always remembered fondly. After Brian (David Spade) and Stacy’s (Christina Applegate) parents caught them with marijuana, they brought a motivational speaker in for guidance.
Farley arrived with his usual exuberant energy, rushing up the stairs to introduce himself as someone who lives in a van next to the river. While Foley may not be the most effective motivator, this skit has stood the test of time as one of SNL’s most successful sketches.
8. Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood: Nutrition
Whenever Eddie Murphy made an appearance, it meant a flurry of hilarity and mirth. While today we revere him as one of the most accomplished comedic actors in history, back in 1984 he was just starting out. His “Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood” sketch parodying Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood featured the comic genius at his prime. The skit hinged on the expensive price tag of the groceries Murphy had stolen from a woman—all set in a backdrop of “the ghetto”. Recently, after 35 years, Murphy returned to his old neighborhood to see how much things had changed since his last visit. A remarkable journey that can only be described as coming full circle.
9. Career Day
Adam Driver’s portrayal of Abraham H. Parnassus in the “Career Day” skit for SNL season 44 was an astounding demonstration of his Julliard training and acting chops. Appearing as the father of Mordecai, played by Pete Davidson, Driver delivered a compelling performance. From muttering complete nonsense to never breaking character despite the unfavorable reactions from those around him.
What truly makes this skit stand out and deserves consideration among the funniest ever is the way Driver managed to embarrass his son without crossing over into caricature or cliche. Even with two Academy Award nominations riding on other projects, Driver’s performance as Parnassus could be one of his most memorable yet.
10. Farewell, Mr. Bunting
As an unprecedented sketch, “Farewell Mr. Bunting” is sure to be remembered as one of the funniest in SNL’s storied past. This skit ingeniously mirrors a beloved scene from Dead Poet’s Society.
The moving teacher (portrayed by Fred Armisen) is let go and students stand on their desks in a show of admiration. The audience was kept waiting for a protracted time before an individual student finally rose to the desk, only to have his head instantly severed by an overhead fan. The suddenness of the incident coupled with the ensuing carnage was something that viewers would strangely not soon forget.
11.Debbie Downer
What is remarkable about the Debbie Downer skit is that it was so successful for its humorous failings. Rachel Dratch portrays the titular character, a jaded lady whose pessimism brings down the atmosphere of any celebratory event she’s involved in.
On the initial airing of the skit, showcasing Debbie bringing an end to a family outing to Disneyworld. The entire cast found themselves unable to continue with their lines due to all the uncontrollable laughter. It certainly resonated with SNL viewers.
The first Saturday Night Live guests of April have been revealed. During tonight’s episode, which was hosted by Jenna Ortega and featured two musical performances from The 1975, an onscreen message between commercials revealed that Quinta Brunson from Abbott Elementary will host the first SNL episode of April. The news was then shared on SNL‘s social accounts shortly after.
Joining Brunson will be rapper and singer Lil Yachty, who is still hot off the release of his critically-acclaimed new album, Let’s Start Here.
Yachty’s latest album features him making a departure from his Soundcloud rap stylings and experimenting with a more psychedelic rock sound. In a recent interview with Billboard, Yachty revealed that making this album was vital for him to show his fans — and more importantly, himself — his wide range of musical talents.
“There’s a lot of kids who haven’t heard any of my references,” he said. “They don’t know anything about Bon Iver or Pink Floyd or Black Sabbath or James Brown. I wanted to show people a different side of me — and that I can do anything, most importantly.”
Quinta Brunson and Lil Yachty’s episode of Saturday Night Live will air on Saturday, April 1 at 11:30 p.m. EST on NBC. The episode will also stream live on Peacock.
With it being such a sensitive topic, you’d think comedians wouldn’t attempt to tackle that even in a padded suit, but not SNL’s Coin Jost and Michael Che. During last night’s Weekend Update skit, the pair took it a step further, making the sentencing the butt of the joke in Che’s newly introduced segment, What Did They Even Do Wrong. The miniature skit aims to comedically define wrongdoings by public figures.
When the pair reached the pair discussed the recent sentencing of Harvey Weinstein and R. Kelly, Che, says, “I mean mainly they’re guilty of loving too much, right. A player’s gotta play,” before turning it to the audience for laughter, “Am I right, ladies?”
The YouTube comments were filled with viewers praising the new addition to the segment, writing, “OMG on Michael Che’s new segment – what did they even do wrong – too funny. Looking forward to them posting the whole Weekend Update in its entirety on Monday morning. Even funnier that way.”
However, on other social media sites, such as Twitter, users were not pleased by the joke. One user wrote, “When will they take Michael Che off Weekend Update? He’s not funny & neither was that Weinstein/R. Kelly ‘joke.’”
When will they take Michael Che off Weekend Update? He’s not funny & neither was that Weinstein/R. Kelly “joke” #SNL
Just weeks after the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl, tight end Travis Kelce is traveling to New York City to host Saturday Night Live on March 4. This will be his hosting debut on the show. His episode will also be the debut appearance of musical Guest, Ballerini. She will be promoting her new EP, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat,and its accompanying short film. The short film was released on Valentine’s Day. Ballerini is also promoting the “Heartfirst” United States tour, which begins in March.
Now welcoming Kelce, this season of Saturday Night Live has had a star-studded lineup of hosts and musical guests. There has been Miles Teller and Kendrick Lamar (Oct. 1), Brendan Gleeson and Willow (Oct. 8), Megan Thee Stallion (Oct. 15), Jack Harlow (Oct. 29) in October. Amy Schumer and Steve Lacy (Nov. 5) and Dave Chappelle and Black Star (Nov. 12) took to the stage in November. Keke Palmer and SZA (Dec. 3), Steve Martin and Martin Short with Brandi Carlile (Dec. 10), and Austin Butler and Lizzo (Dec. 17) hosted in December. Aubrey Plaza and Sam Smith (Jan. 21) and Michael B. Jordan and Lil Baby(Jan. 28) held the stage in January. Most recently, Pedro Pascal and Coldplay (Feb. 4) kicked off the February hosts.
Travis Kelce’s New Gig
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Before Kelce, Woody Harrelson will host the show on February 25. He will be promoting his new film Champions, which releases to theaters on March 10. In the film, Harrelson plays a minor-league baseball coach who has legal issues. His community service leads to him becoming a coach for the Special Olympics basketball team. Jack White will serve as a musical guest in his fourth solo appearance on SNL (fifth if you include his performance with The White Stripes).
A week after Kelce’s hosting debut, Jenna Ortega will also mark her hosting debut on March 11. Ortega’s appearance occurs the same weekend her film Scream VI will release in theaters. She’s also promoting the hit Netflix series Wednesday just prior to the Emmys. During the SNL episode, The 1975 will return for the second time as a musical guest. The band will come to the show promoting their tour and album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language.
He touched on the end of his high-profile relationship on Saturday Night Live, but Michael B. Jordan is addressing it once again. Last summer, Lori Harvey and Jordan announced their split after a year of dating. They kept their romance under wraps, aside from the occasional social media post, but Jordan is speaking on what life has been like as a single man once again.
“I mean, I think for me, it’s just I was lucky enough to have a lot of work, you know?” Jordan told Gayle King for CBS Mornings. “And I’m a firm believer of what’s for you is for you. And coming out of that situation—not to give it any energy and kinda move from that is—it was an experience for me to grow and learn.”
Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA. Picture date: Sunday March 27, 2022. (Photo by Doug Peters/PA Images via Getty Images)
Additionally, it doesn’t look like he’s pining over his ex. “I’m in my light right now,” he added. “This is my Jordan year. I mean that. This is my year. There’s so much going on—so many blessings, so many great things. This is at a point in my career where there’s not a lot of people telling me no, and everything’s wide open.”
While hosting Saturday Night Live last month, Jordan joked about the split during his opening monologue. “Most people after a breakup are like, ‘I’m gonna get in better shape.’ But I was already in Creed shape,” he teased. “So, I had to be like, ‘All right, I guess I’ll learn a new language.’ Anyway, estoy en Raya.”
Gayle King addressed the Raya mention during her chat with the movie star. Jordan admitted he was just kidding about being on the exclusive, celebrity dating app. However, King did offer to be his matchmaker. Jordan seemed open. “Send ’em my way,” he replied.
