Some actors who seem on the verge of becoming household names and who happen to be hosting “Saturday Night Live” for the first time might fear that a famous relative will steal their spotlight.
Alexander Skarsgård let this happen twice in the same episode of “SNL” when his father Stellan Skarsgård appeared on a returning sketch about immigrant parents (in which Cardi B also appeared) and one about a The fun production of Scandinavian cinema. However, to be fair, his father is currently nominated for an Oscar in the supporting actor category for “Sentimental Value.”
If Skarsgård's Alexander was upset, he certainly didn't show it; The first-time host of the 1,000th episode of “SNL” seemed relaxed and engaged at all times, although not all of the sketches were spot on. And yes, before running off to Peacock to confirm, Alexander gave his father Stellan a big hug in the final goodbye. Oooh.
If “SNL” last week avoided directly addressing the situation that quickly unfolded in Minneapolis last week, it found its footing with a cold open about ICE that didn't rely on James Austin Johnson's impression of President Trump. Instead, it featured former cast member Pete Davidson as border policy advisor Tom Homan taking command of clueless ICE officers. This was followed after the monologue by a well-executed sketch about a mother (Ashley Padilla) who slowly changes her mind about the Trump administration.
Elsewhere, the guest host played the coach of a skittish Olympic bobsled athlete (Jane Wickline), a preteen girl with aggression problemsa viking who feels like everyone is in cliques during a bloody raida boy who uses Cards Against Humanity jokes to look funny and Tarzan trying to get out of a relationship with Jane (Sarah Sherman).
As young Skarsgård's career (“Murderbot,” “True Blood,” “The Northman”) has shown, he's used to playing strange, extreme characters, and “SNL” was a good fit.
Musical guests Cardi B performed “Baddie Winery” and “ErrTime.” A tribute card for Catherine O'Hara, who died on fridaywas shown before the farewells. O'Hara hosted “SNL” in 1991 and 1992 and appeared in an “SNL” short film (with Laurie Metcalf!) in 1988.
For the first time in a long time, Trump did not dominate the show's cold opening; Instead, Davidson returned to the show wearing a bald cap to play Homan. Homan points out the irony that things have gotten so bad in Minneapolis with ICE that he is now considered the adult voice of reason in the room. ICE commanders (Kenan Thompson, Andrew Dismukes, Johnson, Ben Marshall, Mikey Day and Jeremy Culhane) claimed their orders were “out of control” and questioned whether they were supposed to release Epstein's files. As Homan pointed out, the ICE raids were to distract attention from them, but now Epstein's files are being released to distract attention from ICE. Davidson is best remembered for his “Weekend Update” segments and his Chad character on “SNL,” but he does a good job here even if he breaks character at one point.
Skarsgård could have spent his monologue talking about his film and television roles, such as his next film “Wicker“or her role in Charli XCX's new mockumentary”The moment“, but instead focused on the band members who appear on stage but rarely get to speak on the show. He poorly interviewed some of the band members, and then picked up a saxophone to do some inspired playing. It was silly and fun, a good start to Skarsgård's night.
Best sketch of the night: Mom is changing her mind, but you can't say anything
For most of this season, you can count on at least one sketch featuring a standout performance from featured player Ashley Padilla, who has become a symbol of playing women who are either very deluded and are trying to pretend they're not, or who are trying to control other people's reactions to their strange behavior. For this sketch, she gets to do both, playing a mother who, after a long preamble, reveals to her adult children and husband (Skarsgård) that she's starting to change her opinion on Trump's policies, from immigration to guns to trans people. While her children struggle to contain their reactions, lest she back down, her husband just wants to go to Red Robin to celebrate her birthday. Best line: “If I hear even one 'I told you so,' I'll go see the Movie 'Melania' tonight!”
Also good: having the right body shape for an Olympic bobsled, even if it's a corpse
Another featured player, Wickline has become a polarizing cast member among fans, some of whom simply don't understand her humor or appreciate her performances, while others love her quirky songs and see her as someone who brings a unique vibe to the show. For this pre-recorded Olympics-themed piece, she has a lot of fun playing a reluctant bobsled competitor who is terrified of coming down the mountain and tries to pretend to be sick to avoid going to Milan. This might remind you Patti Harrison's perfect performance in the “Capital Room” sketch of “I Think You Should Go,” but Wickline manages to make the character his own.
'Weekend Update' Winner: They Scored Again Before Super Bowl
Sherman was Promoted to “Weekend Update” weather correspondent in a segment that included a surprise appearance by “30 Rock” star Jack McBrayer, but it was Dismukes and Padilla as a couple who simply had sex winning the week with their awkward, love-struck banter, which tied in nicely with a discussion about next week's big game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. The pair predicts that the Patriots will be on top in the first half, but at some point the Seahawks will come from behind and dominate the Patriots for a while. “Maybe the Patriots will get tired and ask the Seahawks to play themselves for a while,” Dismukes suggests. Things go off the rails when he says that no matter what happens, someone will get a ring, which puts a strain on their budding relationship. “I didn't say that night!” he explains to a disappointed Padilla. The two previously connected for the first time. in the Glen Powell episode.
