Shane Gillis seemed annoyed to be hosting Saturday Night Live again, which gave him awkward energy, oscillating between trying to overcome a chore he'd undertaken or trying so hard that he almost derailed a sketch by saying "fuck" live on-air. Meanwhile, Rosalía returned with more elaborate staging, costuming and camera work, maintaining her status as one of SNL's most magnetic musical guests. Here's everything that happened on SNL this week.
The Cold Open
Oh no — Colin Jost's Pete Hegseth addressed sailors on the USS Lincoln, who had returned home from seven arduous months at sea. There was a dumb sight gag with Kam Patterson and Hegseth dismissing some disgruntled soldiers. James Austin Johnson introduced his take on Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which was good but not as strong as the impression Seth Meyers occasionally pulls out on Late Night. Otherwise, this was forgettable, and it'd be nice if the real and fake Hegseth resigned someday soon.
The Monologue
Unlike many fellow stand-ups, Shane Gillis has generally struggled in his SNL monologues. He initially seemed more centred during this third attempt, telling us about working out and creeping out women. He also trollingly name-dropped his friends, Joe Rogan and Theo Von, which easily lost him another monologue early. He then suggested his haircut made him look either gay or like Hitler. This Gillis schtick of being self-effacing and giggly but still an unfunny a-hole with weak material is beyond hack by now.
Cop Talk
Gillis played a police officer hosting a talk show. His first guest was an author played by Jeremy Culhane, and he was treated like a driver being pulled over by the police. Kenan Thompson portrayed Gillis's AA sponsor for some reason before Ben Marshall played an artist, who was also pulled over and tazed. Good lord, this was atrocious.
It's My Room Now
In a remote music video, a wedding band sang a song from the bride's dad's perspective, which seemed sentimental. But Gillis's dad wasn't emotional about his daughter's nuptials — he was excited about making her old bedroom a man cave. This had its moments.
Green Eggs and Ham
Andrew Dismukes and Mikey Day appeared as actors putting on a production of Green Eggs and Ham. They were interrupted by Gillis playing Zachary, a defensive son, and Gillis accidentally said "fucking" on live TV. This was momentarily distracting, but proved to be the most noteworthy aspect of this, other than Day improvising an admonishment to his son for cussing.
Innovation Nation
In a PBS documentary reenactment, we were shown a scene about the invention of the canvas shoe. James Austin Johnson played the invention's presenter, while Gillis played a man who suggested they be called sneakers because of how easily men could stalk or betray women. This was unsavoury but not unfunny.
Upfront Heating and AC
In a remote ad, Gillis played the spokesman for a very honest HVAC company, promising absolute chaos for all prospective clients, which was amusing.
Rosalia
With an eye-catching backdrop involving curtains, shadows, light and Rosalia standing still as though her feet were anchored to the floor (but still singing expressively), "Reliquia," was majestic. And there was a stunning visual surprise at the end, too.
In yet another elaborate dress, a solitary Rosalia sang "Magnolias" in Spanish powerfully, while English sentences were projected on her chest and fake rain pelted and drenched her. With an artfully designed mic stand, this was another captivating, stirring and mystifying performance.
Weekend Update
Colin Jost opened Update by ridiculing Trump's meltdown about not winning the Nobel Peace Prize, which Michael Che tagged onto. Che also highlighted America's recent history of filming and broadcasting executions, while Jost made a fun Abraham Lincoln assassination joke. Che told us about Mike Johnson being a hick. Jost treated some of our world leaders like they were on Real Housewives.
James Austin Johnson portrayed Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary and advocated for data centres. O'Leary came across as a mad Mr. Burns villain, as he insisted that building a data centre in Utah was in his best interest, which was funny.
Jost made a baby-eating crack and told us about a Florida demonoligist. Che made a play for Halle Barry, and Jost made a clever joke about Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day.
Ashley Padilla played A Mother Whose Babysitter Cancelled, while Grace Reiter played her insolent and difficult daughter, Coco. While Padilla's mom tried to offer insights about fall activities, Coco clearly had her number because even her slight comments set her off, which was the highlight of Update.
Fred Two Weeks Before Being Dead
Gillis played Fred, the son of a dying mother in hospice care in a hospital, and he was hoping her death wouldn't disrupt his plans to see Jelly Roll live at the Sphere. Marshall played Jelly Roll, who, as a spirit, spoke to Fred and urged him to come to his concert. Jelly was soon joined by cool Jesus and a sultry woman played by Rosalia, and there was an allusion to Fred's own impending death, which was funny.
Chess Semi-Finals
At a chess tournament, Jeremy Culhane played TJ, whose trashy parents were played by Gillis and Grace Reiter. The estranged parents cheered their boy on and argued and flirted loudly in the bleachers. Reiter was featured a lot in this episode and, with her facial expressions and physicality, she made the most of it, really going for it in this lewd sketch.
