This week’s Saturday Night Live featured Ryan Gosling’s highly anticipated return as host, bringing a mix of sharp political satire and quirky humor to the stage. The episode aired from New York City, unfolding with a series of sketches that explored topical issues and pop culture, while Gosling’s presence anchored the show’s comedic energy.
Opening Satire Targets Military and Political Figures
The episode began with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, portrayed by Colin Jost, facing questions from reporters about America’s military actions in Iran. Hegseth, humorously revealed to have spent the afternoon doing keg stands, boasted about the military efforts with a crude metaphor, saying,
“We’re treating Iran like the breathalyzer in my car and blowing it the hell up,”
while refusing to formally acknowledge the conflict as a war:
“If we don’t know what we’re doing, then Iran definitely doesn’t know what we’re doing.”
After belittling the press, Hegseth handed over the spotlight to former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, played by Ashley Padilla. Noem, described as being “reassigned under the bus,” insisted she was not abandoning her responsibilities, despite her exit from the role, stating,
“As my plastic surgeon says, the work is never done.”
The sketch took barbed jabs at her controversial past, including remarks on her record with animal control,
“You miss 100% of the dogs you don’t shoot,”
and hinted at an alleged affair:
“I think I really nailed it – and by it, I mean my married co-worker in a big, beautiful flying bedroom 3,000 feet over Minneapolis.”
The scene ended with Noem’s harsh dismissal by Hegseth.
This opening segment was a physically brief but sharply effective takedown of disregarded political figures, with Jost’s aggressive portrayal of Hegseth serving as a stand-out, and Padilla’s impersonation of Noem adding current relevance and depth beyond previous portrayals by others.
Ryan Gosling Returns to Host Amid Distractions
Ryan Gosling made his fourth appearance as host, immediately distracted by next week’s host, Harry Styles, who was seated conspicuously in the front row. Styles claimed his presence was simply to observe and gather notes, but this unsettled Gosling’s prepared musical number set to Styles’s song “Sign of the Times,” causing him to abandon the performance after singing a single bar of “I’m Just Ken.” Despite this stumble, Gosling reaffirmed his standing as one of the most memorable recurring guests in recent SNL history, even when thrown off by interruptions.
Marriage Tradition Sketch Embraces Absurdity
In a wedding reception sketch, Gosling’s eccentric character—
“dressed like Reba McEntire at the Grammys”
—disrupts the traditional glass-clinking custom that compels the newlyweds to kiss. His character’s relentless clinking forces the couple to kiss repeatedly, and demands the groom plant a kiss on the bride’s “poozi.” This sketch thrived on silly costumes and deliberately exaggerated language, creating moments of broad slapstick humor without delving deeper than its playful surface.
Cosmic Horror Comedy Wraps a Psoriasis Drug Pitch
One of the more unusual sketches featured a parody advertisement for Otezla, a medication for plaque psoriasis. Unlike typical medications, this “pill” was portrayed as a sentient, nearly invincible alien entity moving through time differently from humans, raising questions about whether it is humanity’s savior or potential destroyer. While darkly humorous and invoking a cosmic horror vibe, the sketch did not quite reach the comedic heights of past successes like the Tortino’s parody from 2016, failing to fully capitalize on its intriguing premise.
Simple but Funny Riddle Scene with Cyclops Warriors
A fantasy-themed sketch followed, starring a trio of one-eyed warriors attempting to enter a vault guarded by two enchanting spirits played by Padilla and Veronika Slowikowska. The gatekeepers posed a riddle that proved too complex for the cyclops, who couldn’t grasp the concept, let alone solve it. Padilla frequently broke character during the scene but recovered quickly, adding to the sketch’s charm. Although the humor centered on the characters’ cluelessness and simplicity, the segment offered reliable entertainment through its lighthearted absurdity.
Dark Humor in Willy Wonka-Style Confectionery Tour
Gosling appeared as a Willy Wonka-esque baker leading families on a fantastical tour of his factory. The cheerful atmosphere quickly turned macabre when the group discovered one of the dough creatures hanging from a noose. It was explained that during mating season, males voluntarily end their lives to conserve resources for females and offspring:
“the males off themselves to free up resources for the women and the babies.”
This unsettling revelation horrified the tour members. The sketch skillfully blended live-action, puppetry, and digital animation to create a memorable yet grimly comedic experience.
Weekend Update Takes Aim at Noem and Political Chaos
The regular Weekend Update segment, shorter than usual, continued the political criticism. Colin Jost mocked Noem’s political troubles by commenting,
“Imagine being singled out as the worst member of Trump’s cabinet. That’s like someone coming up to you at a party and saying, ‘we think you should leave; you’re making Diddy uncomfortable.’”
Michael Che introduced Pastor Update (Kenan Thompson) and his guitarist Teddy (James Austin Johnson) to unify viewers through humor. Rather than a traditional gospel song, the pastor comically sang about the SNL craft service spread and referenced celebrities with prominent foreheads like Rihanna, Tyra Banks, and Zooey Deschanel. Johnson’s side remarks provided some of the night’s highest laughs, especially when he quipped,
“If you shake it more than twice, you’re playing with it.”
Classroom Scene Features Breaking the Fourth Wall
Gosling also took on the role of a high school principal visiting a class to address bullying, where a teacher, Padilla, caught a student passing a note and decided to read it aloud. The show broke new ground by flashing text on-screen, noting,
“the contents of these notes have been changed since rehearsal,”
which added an unexpectedly meta layer to the sketch. A humorous prop gag followed when a huge bag of spaghetti labeled Lunch #2 was pulled from a desk, eliciting a charming snort from Padilla. Though the production took a rare step in breaking character, the infectious energy made it a justified and welcome exception.
Hotel Checkout Scene Explores Absurd Billing Confusion
A sketch featuring a couple played by Gosling and Sarah Sherman at a hotel checkout unfolded hilariously as they were hit with supplementary charges for snacks, a massage, and an unexpected $1,200 fee for
“two visits from the Goo Goo Man.”
Sherman’s bewildered reaction contrasted with Gosling’s outraged insistence:
“only got one visit from the Goo Goo Man.”
Despite the audience’s lukewarm response, both performers delivered standout comedic moments with their contrasting expressions of confusion and indignation.
Digital Short Focuses on Colin Jost’s Persona
The show wrapped with a digital short by Martin Herlihy satirizing Colin Jost. Herlihy adopted Jost’s image complete with wig and exaggerated jawline, humorously stepping into his life to enjoy perks like appearances on Late Night with Seth Meyers, dates with his wife Scarlett Johansson, and drug use with castmate Jane Wickline. While Jost remained an easy target for jokes, this sketch did not match the sharpness or comedic timing of Herlihy’s usual foils, Michael Che or Sarah Sherman, resulting in a comparatively dull finish.
Remembering SNL Founder Connection Through Sandy Wernick
Before the final curtain, the show paid tribute to Sandy Wernick, a veteran talent manager who once represented Lorne Michaels. Wernick played a pivotal role in SNL’s origin by introducing Michaels to producer Dick Ebersol. His career further included representing prominent cast members such as Adam Sandler, marking a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
An Uplifting Rebound for the Season
This episode marked a needed recovery for Saturday Night Live after several lackluster installments. With Ryan Gosling’s strong star presence and natural comedic timing, the show presented a majority of sketches that hit their marks, while musical performances further enhanced the experience. As the season progresses, this episode is likely to be remembered as one of the stronger showcases, blending discomfort and humor in alignment with the show’s ongoing political and cultural commentary.
