Saturday Night Live Recap: Paul Mescal Tries Something New

As a long-time fan of Saturday Night Live, I have to say that this episode was nothing short of brilliant! With James Austin Johnson’s spot-on Bob Dylan impersonation and Andrew Dismukes’ hilarious antics as the brilliant lawyer, it was clear that the cast was firing on all cylinders.

In the latest “Please Don’t Destroy” sketch, Martin Herlihy refers to Paul Mescal as another heartbreaking character he might play next, and given his past roles, it seems like a certainty. From his captivating debut in the Sally Rooney adaptation of Normal People to his emotionally charged, Oscar-nominated performance in Aftersun, and even Gladiator II, Mescal has shown a knack for portraying tortured souls who require more than just a hug – I’d say they need a professional counselor!

It’s wonderful that Saturday Night Live has consistently given dramatic actors a chance to stretch their abilities and reach new heights, and in his first hosting gig, Mescal demonstrated the same eagerness to fly high as any actor who’s come before him. To put it another way, he was as determined to soar like he was on a broomstick, singing the “Defying Gravity” tune!

In a light-hearted speech, Mescal provided an overview for new viewers about the up-and-coming actor, who is known for his daring fashion choices and often emotional roles (although humor isn’t typically associated with him). As he clarified this, Mescal was able to present aspects of himself that audiences might not have seen before. Throughout the evening, he displayed feelings such as jealousy and anger, acted foolishly at times, and even sang and danced (on two separate occasions).

In the past, some esteemed actors have mistakenly viewed Saturday Night Live’s stage as an improper platform to exhibit their proficiency in commedia dell’arte, among other things. However, this isn’t true for Mescal. While he capably fulfills every role assigned to him at any given time, he doesn’t strive to demonstrate his knack for sketch comedy. Instead, he willingly steps back in several sketches and presents himself as an individual who primarily finds humor in sharing stories over drinks at the local pub.

Apart from Mescal, last night was also a breakout moment for Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline, who were all prominently featured in one episode for the first time this season on SNL. Earlier, it seemed like the show only gave them minor roles, with just one getting a spotlight each week. However, during Mescal’s show, they all had either leading roles in a sketch or significant, memorable appearances – and they all made their moments count. It now feels as though we’re starting to get to know them better.

Here are the highlights from the episode:

Church Chat 2024 Cold Open

https://youtube.com/watch?v=McV2Kl7LmRM?si=LGBEmf8Jq_-dceqG

Could one well-timed joke transform a generally amusing, nostalgia-evoking sketch into uproarious laughter? It seems it can. Dana Carvey, who returned to SNL this season due to his uncanny Joe Biden impersonation, reprised his Church Lady character for the first time since 2016. (Back then, Darrell Hammond was still portraying Trump.) Although the Church Lady is now as old as she may have originally been intended to be, Carvey skillfully revives the character’s signature mannerisms, mocking each Church Chat guest and branding items satanic until reaching a standout moment with Hunter Biden. (David Spade made another nostalgic appearance in this role.) In response to Hunter subtly comparing himself to Jesus, the Church Lady retorts, “I believe Jesus wasn’t roaming around in a robe without underwear and associating with prostitutes.” With impeccable delivery, Hunter reminds her that this is precisely what Jesus did. This joke receives applause from the studio audience – and makes the lengthy cold open worthwhile.

Gladiator II Trailer

https://youtube.com/watch?v=HC77saWLRMk?si=zu0Up2MJM6uvi7lU

Paul Mescal is showcasing his vocal prowess and acting skills in a digital production that reimagines a musical adaptation of “Gladiator II”. It’s quite surprising to learn about his singing abilities, isn’t it? The performance is remarkably well-executed, with lyrics that sound authentic, ranging from the typical Broadway style to full-blown Lin-Manuel Miranda rhythm. (“I’m the angry emperor, temper-temper, banging eunuchs and tunics, from January to December-er.”) This kind of sketch truly highlights the incredible talent of the Saturday Night Live team in just a week.

Italian Restaurant Commercial

https://youtube.com/watch?v=gLr8v3vk6cw?si=NqkEEmVy42436pvM

Despite every new cast member getting their moment to shine in this episode, Ashley Padilla manages to make the most impactful performance. In this scene, she portrays a theater actor debuting on television alongside a seasoned commercial star (Mescal). A spark of creativity strikes when she incorporates a pasta joke into the ad for an Italian restaurant, and the director (Mikey Day) is thrilled. However, Mescal isn’t as keen. The stage is now set for a series of humorous exchanges: Padilla’s quirky pasta puns, delivered with infectious enthusiasm; Mescal’s growing frustration with his co-star; the contrast in how their own jokes are received on set. (“Hey there, buddy! Is there someone we can call?”) Padilla fits seamlessly into a leading role in this sketch, just like her character does in her commercial.

Brilliant Lawyer

https://youtube.com/watch?v=cX07XWVoJQ0?si=eAJMKGZPGXM-s97R

As a huge fan, I must say that what truly resonates with me about this sketch is the unshakable swagger Andrew Dismukes brings to his lawyer character, as he embarks on an utterly ridiculous legal strategy that’s destined for folklore. But let’s not forget the priceless moments when he enlists a troop of 20 men, all sporting identical absurd outfits, in a bid to disguise his client amidst the courtroom chaos. If only this episode had been released before Halloween, we might have seen gangs of 21 men, adorned in lime-green suits, Devo hats, and fake beards, prowling the streets!

Spotify Wrapped

https://youtube.com/watch?v=5G2sYKQI_28?si=r5JSptizVbQ_FfYs

Never trust anyone who’s a little too excited to reveal their Spotify Wrapped. That’s one takeaway from this sketch, in which Mescal is aghast that his friends have never heard of the esoteric multimedia force who dominates his Spotify Wrapped. However, the primary reason this sketch exists is to introduce the artist Satoshi Gutman, “the anti-instrumentalist sound guru of Dundalk, Maryland.” Bowen Yang clearly had fun with the creation of this character, who looks like a partially cornrowed blonde Jedi whose deep-tissue massage treatment would go crazy, and addresses his fans as “my bastards.” Hopefully, this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Dundalk’s finest.

Cut for Time

If it felt strange when Carvey mentioned, without prompting, “At least you haven’t been doing a podcast,” during the Church Lady sketch featuring Spade’s portrayal of Hunter Biden, that was indeed appropriate. This casual mention was a nod to the podcast they jointly host, which is themed around their time at Saturday Night Live.

• The dated language used in the “Earring Sketch,” specifically the phrase “Let’s go to a rave, pimp,” fit perfectly, although the overall sketch seemed somewhat disjointed and might have benefited from a more unified approach.

The unique manner in which character Mescal develops affection for the ‘Please Don’t Destroy’ gang offers a refreshing take on romantic entanglements within these sketches compared to those seen before.

• The prize for the Most Amusing Moment in a Weekend Update Joke this Season is shared by Colin Jost and Michael Che, thanks to their hilarious squirting cucumber gag.

• Marcello Hernández nearly bursts into laughter during his on-stage segment with Heidi Gardner, especially when she jokes about showing musical guest Shaboozey her “Shapoozey.

• In the movie premiere sketch, James Austin Johnson delivers an exceptional impression of Bob Dylan, while Mescal perfectly imitates Bono. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that “Jess, Logan, Dean” is the correct order of Rory’s boyfriends in Gilmore Girls.

2024-12-08 23:54