Glen Powell made his first appearance as host on Saturday Night Live, using the opportunity to resolve an amusing four-year-old promise he once made to a UPS driver. The Glen Powell Saturday Night Live episode aired at Studio 8H, where Powell addressed the backstory with both sincerity and humor, adding a personal touch to his much-anticipated debut.
A Missed Opportunity Turned into a Personal Mission
The Chad Powers actor, now 37, opened his SNL monologue by telling the audience about his original scheduled appearance in December 2021. Powell had been set to promote Top Gun: Maverick, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the film’s release, leading to Paul Rudd stepping in for that year’s Christmas episode. Powell reflected on the disappointment, particularly since he had already told a UPS driver about his upcoming television moment.
“When I got the call [to host SNL], I was on a porch with my family and we just all lost our minds,”
Glen Powell recalled during his monologue.
“We were jumping up and down, celebrating. A UPS driver happened to be delivering a package at that exact same moment.”
— Glen Powell, Actor
Powell was so excited that he took a selfie with the delivery man, encouraging him to watch the special holiday episode. However, with the abrupt cancellation, Powell explained,
“Top Gun got delayed because of COVID so SNL had to take their offer back. [Producer] Lorne Michaels called me and said — these are his words — ‘Without Top Gun, no one will know who the F you are!’”
— Glen Powell, quoting Lorne Michaels, SNL Producer
Tracking Down the UPS Driver: An Unfinished Chapter
This missed opportunity weighed on Powell for years, as he humorously imagined the UPS driver thinking Powell had fabricated the story.
“This UPS driver was just going around saying Glen Powell is a liar.”
— Glen Powell, Actor
Determined to restore his credibility, Powell enlisted the help of his sisters.
“My sisters tracked him down because the women in my family are terrifying,”
he revealed.
“They found the cell number of this UPS guy. His name is Mitch. So, to prove to Mitch that I am not a liar, I flew him all the way to New York — [in] coach because I don’t know how Running Man is going to do yet. … He thought it was a scam but he still came!”
— Glen Powell, Actor
During the live broadcast, Powell gestured to Mitch, sitting in the audience, and invited him on stage.
“Give it up for Mitch the UPS guy.”
— Glen Powell, Actor
The two then recreated their original selfie on stage, bringing closure to the story that had started years earlier on Powell’s front porch.
Dreams Achieved on the SNL Stage
Throughout the night, Powell acknowledged how important hosting SNL was to him. He told viewers,
“If I have learned anything, it is that the best things in life don’t happen overnight,”
Glen Powell shared.
“And no one knows that better than UPS.”
— Glen Powell, Actor
He had also revealed prior to the episode that appearing on Saturday Night Live was a lifelong dream.
“Hosting SNL has been a thing I’ve wanted to do my entire life.”
— Glen Powell, Actor
Reflecting on finally reaching this milestone, Powell added,
“It’s a really wonderful moment when your childhood dreams get to come true. I’ve been waiting to be on that stage for as long as I can remember.”
— Glen Powell, Actor
A Night of Comedy with Familiar and New Faces
The episode was notable for more than just Powell’s personal story. He reunited with former SNL cast member Will Forte for a new round of MacGruber sketches. The musical guest, Olivia Dean, performed her tracks “Man I Need” and
“Let Alone the One You Love,”
while the audience responded warmly to the diverse blend of sketches and music on the show.
Looking Ahead for Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live’s next fresh episode will air on December 6 on NBC, with Melissa McCarthy stepping into the host role and Dijon performing as the musical guest. Fans who missed Powell’s episode or want to revisit SNL history can watch classic and recent episodes on Peacock, ensuring continued access to the iconic comedy series and its memorable moments.
The Glen Powell Saturday Night Live appearance not only highlighted Powell’s professional milestone but also provided a heartfelt and humorous resolution to a story that began years earlier, showcasing the actor’s determination to make good on a promise and creating an unforgettable television moment for both Mitch and all viewers.
