SNL

SNL's Paul Mescal Brings Boyish Charm to a Night of Hilarity—With a Side of Church Lady!

Watch as Paul Mescal charms his way through SNL sketches featuring the iconic Church Lady, Hunter Biden, and a hilarious musical take on Gladiator II!

Paul Mescal, known for his gripping performances in films like "Aftersun" and his impending role in the much-anticipated "Gladiator II," made his hosting debut on Saturday Night Live (SNL) on December 7, 2024. The night kicked off with a wild cold open featuring SNL legends Dana Carvey and David Spade who revived the beloved Church Lady character. In a tongue-in-cheek interview, the Church Lady poked fun at Hunter Biden and Matt Gaetz, labeling them as 'sinners'—providing a hysterical commentary on current events wrapped in comedy. This set the tone for a night of uproarious sketches that promised to entertain and elevate the standard of SNL’s humor.

The highlight of Mescal's debut was undoubtedly the sketches that showcased his spontaneous charm, particularly a ridiculous parody of Spotify Wrapped that had audiences roaring with laughter. But let’s not kid ourselves; even Mescal’s boyish allure couldn't completely mask the mixed bag of sketch writing SNL has been serving lately. While many fans felt his performance was among the year's best, others found themselves yearning for the sharp, comedic genius that previous guests like John Mulaney have consistently delivered. Readers can’t help but compare and contrast the performances, with some folks even crankily exclaiming that *Charli* outshone this week’s host!

In a delightful twist, SNL decided to ride the wave of pop culture phenomena by reimagining a segment of "Gladiator II" as a musical. With a nod to the success of musicals like "Wicked" and "Moana 2", Mescal sang his way through a comedic creation that left both critics and audiences wondering whether they’d just stumbled into a Broadway show or a late-night comedy sketch! Comedic magic truly happens when actors like Mescal can embrace the lighter side of their roles while maintaining a grip on profound emotion, proving that laughter can indeed be found within even the most serious settings.

The episode also featured newcomer Shaboozey alongside a musical number packed with giggles. From Matt Gaetz floundering in the comedic spotlight to Church Lady’s faux pas on social media sins, this episode was a patchwork of parody, irreverence, and a sprinkle of celebrity gossip that was simply hard to ignore. SNL has a unique knack for turning serious topics into comedic gold, and this episode was no exception as it kept audiences in stitches all night long!

Trivia time! Did you know that Dana Carvey's Church Lady character debuted back in 1986? And here we are, some many laughs later, still chuckling at her hijinks on SNL! This episode also marks one of the notable appearances of Hunter Biden, who has quickly become a frequent target for late-night satire. It seems that SNL isn't running out of material for their comedic explorations anytime soon!