Saturday Night Live delivered another unforgettable episode. Paul Mescal, the Irish actor known for his dramatic chops, made his hosting debut on the iconic sketch show.
Dressed in all black with a cheeky mustache, Mescal embraced the absurdity of the comedy stage with surprising ease.
"I'm Paul Mescal and it is great to be here. I've always loved SNL. This place has such history."
He shared his excitement about being part of the 50th season. The Maynooth, Ireland native was quick to poke fun at himself. He acknowledged his lack of comedic credentials.
"Growing up back home I never expected to be here. I'm also excited to be here because I'm not really known for comedy, which is funny to me because I think I've given a lot of really funny performances."
Mescal is known for his viral moments in Normal People to his action-packed (and still emotional) role in Gladiator II. He turned his lack of comedic resume into a running gag throughout the night.
If you missed it, don’t worry. Because we’re getting right into the top moments from Paul Mescal’s Saturday Night Live debut.
Saturday Night Live: Irish stereotypes and short shorts
Mescal’s opening monologue was all witty and charming. He addressed some common Irish stereotypes:
“There’s a nasty rumor that Irish people have s*x with our cousins. That’s offensive and ridiculous. We have s*x with our second cousins.”
The audience couldn’t hold back their laughter as Mescal continued to poke fun at the clichés. He even targeted British people:
"People also think we hate British people. That's not true. We just don't consider them people."
The monologue took a delightfully bizarre turn when Marcello Hernandez joined Mescal onstage in short shorts. He joked:
“You know what they say, Paul, the shorter the shorts the taller you look.”
Mescal responded with a laugh:
“I don’t think it’s working, bud.”
“Gladiator II: A Musical” and the “Earring” sketch
One of the standout sketches of the night was the parody of Gladiator II. In this version, the intense historical epic was reimagined as a musical extravaganza. It was complete with 50 extra minutes of songs.
Mescal sang about being a “misunderstood killing machine”. Mikey Day hilariously channeled Lin-Manuel Miranda’s signature rap style.
The sketch was an over-the-top masterpiece. It cemented Mescal’s willingness to embrace SNL’s trademark ridiculousness.
In the “Earring” sketch, it’s a family dinner scene. Mescal’s character reveals he recently got an earring. It sparks chaos from his over-the-top parents, played by Chloe Fineman and Heidi Gardner.
The parents’ reactions escalated hilariously. Gardner eventually mutilated her own ear to make a point. Mescal’s deadpan delivery as the straight man during this chaos made the sketch one of the night’s funniest moments.
“Please Don’t Destroy – Paul Mescal Is Daddy” and Church Lady
The “Please Don’t Destroy” boys brought their usual chaotic energy to Saturday Night Live. It was a sketch featuring Mescal as a surprisingly emotional “daddy figure.”
What started as an innocent hangout turned into a bizarre fantasy about living together in a cabin. Mescal’s unexpected intensity and willingness to go full-throttle into absurdity made this sketch a delight.
Dana Carvey reprised his iconic Church Lady character. It was in a nostalgic cold open that brought laughs and groans in equal measure.
Paul Mescal didn’t appear here. But the audience enjoyed seeing Carvey’s satirical take on contemporary culture. Though not the strongest part of the night, it set the tone for an evening of unpredictable comedy.
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“Italian Restaurant Commercial”, “Pirates” and the musical guest
In this sketch of Saturday Night Live, Mescal played Craig. He is a commercial actor increasingly frustrated by his co-star’s knack for improvising pasta puns. As the crew adored her antics, Mescal’s character descended into comedic bitterness.
It was a light-hearted bit that showed Mescal’s ability to play the “straight man” while still delivering laughs.
Things got wild in “Pirates”. In this bachelorette party sketch of Saturday Night Live, the male strippers turned out to be a hilariously detailed crew of pirates. Mescal’s straight-faced commitment to the ridiculous scenario elevated what could have been a forgettable sketch.
The night’s musical guest was Shaboozey. He performed his soulful ballad “Good News”.
Paul Mescal’s first Saturday Night Live episode proved he’s a natural entertainer.
If you missed the episode, you can catch it on NBC or stream it on Peacock.
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