As a fervent admirer of the dynamic world of comedy and its remarkable storytellers, I find myself captivated by the journey of Marcello Hernández, a promising young comic hailing from Miami who has already shared the stage with comedy legends such as Dave Chappelle and Bill Murray. Born to Cuban parents and raised in the vibrant streets of Miami-Dade County, Marcello’s life experiences have undeniably shaped his unique comedic voice, blending humor, warmth, and a touch of mischief that resonates with audiences far and wide.
The evening was a significant milestone for Marcello Hernández, yet he found himself uncertain about his destination.
On a chilly Friday evening in November 2022, a 25-year-old comedian, freshly inducted into the “Saturday Night Live” crew, was wrapping up rehearsals with host Dave Chappelle. Little did he know that later the same night, he’d be opening for Jo Koy at Madison Square Garden. As he reached for his phone to summon an Uber, a crucial question crossed his mind: How do I gain entry to this colossal arena?
“He reminisces, ‘I asked Dave if he knew where the entrance to Madison Square Garden was.’ Dave replied, ‘You’re planning on taking an Uber there?’ I countered, ‘So what’s wrong with that?’ He said, ‘There are 22 entrances to Madison Square Garden. You won’t find the right one.’ “
Chappelle placed a phone call, prompting Hernandez to jump into a vehicle for the ride. Interestingly, it was discovered that The Garden has eight recognized entry points; however, the entertainer managed to gain access through an unconventional ninth door not accessible to the general public.
“Gosh, I still remember the excitement of that loading dock, isn’t it amazing?” He emphasizes his point by snapping his fingers. It’s no surprise that he’s still enchanted by the memory, even after a year and a half. Hernández’s swift rise as one of “SNL”‘s standout newcomers is remarkable – a kind of success that classic comedians might find hard to recognize.
Over the last five decades, “SNL” (Saturday Night Live) has been cultivating stars from its cast, such as John Belushi, Adam Sandler, Gilda Radner, and Tina Fey. The show’s executive producer, Lorne Michaels, is known for discovering unknown talent and bringing them into the limelight on a national scale. In today’s digital era, becoming an “SNL” cast member involves not only entertaining live audiences but also creating sketches that become internet sensations. Hernández has managed to achieve this viral fame several times in just two seasons.
In a significant breakthrough, he starred in the sketch titled “Protective Mom,” where he portrayed a son introducing his Caucasian American girlfriend to his critical Latina mother, played by Pedro Pascal from “The Last of Us.” This comedy piece humorously explored the cultural and age-related contrasts between Miami-born Hernández and his Cuban-born mother. During Season 48, this sketch ranked among the top five most-watched live sketches, and its follow-up from the previous year also made it to the list, with Pascal reprising his role and Bad Bunny stepping in as Hernández’s aunt.
“Pascal remembers saying, ‘It would be wonderful to collaborate with Marcello and perhaps act as a protective figure,'” Pascal explains. “They responded, ‘Would you really do that?’ To which he replied, ‘Most definitely! I’m willing to do whatever you ask.'”
“Pedro being Latino, just like me, naturally led me to establish a connection with him,” Hernández expresses. He can be found in a Mediterranean eatery in Hell’s Kitchen, donning a black cap and sunglasses. His vape and phone are placed nearby on the table, along with a bowl of hummus. He wears a silver chain, a gift from his mother, that he is pleased to show off.”
Hernández often showcases his mother in many of his works, delighting in satirizing her, and his storytelling has a comedic slant, reminiscent of Jerry Seinfeld’s observational wit, blended with the lively physicality that makes Eddie Murphy endearing.
Following a conversation with Pascal regarding the skit, Hernández penned “Protective Mom” incorporating some elements from his stand-up routine that he presented during his “SNL” trials. His initial discovery happened at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, followed by an invitation to perform at a showcase event. After that, his career took off: he underwent a studio test, had a meeting with the writers, and then met Michaels, who he refers to as “the Boss.”
Hernandez shares limited information about his first meeting with the well-known producer. He recounts, “Just go for it,” followed by a phone call from his mother asking, “How did it go?” To which he responds, “I haven’t a clue.” His mother then excitedly exclaims, mimicking her voice, “Oh my goodness!”
Michael clearly noticed Hernandez’s exceptional ability. He simply continues to improve, and after working with ‘SNL’, it becomes apparent who truly fits the bill – Hernandez is definitely among that group.
He adds, “He’s not yet who he’ll be, but he’s well on his way to becoming it.”
As a movie reviewer, I can’t help but be deeply moved by the compelling story of a film that traces the journey of its creator, Hernández. Born from a lineage that bravely fled Cuba at the tender age of 12, his mother navigated through Spain and the Dominican Republic before eventually immigrating to the United States, all on her own.
“He mentions that many of his jokes and writings are connected to our childhood experiences. He emphasizes that she’s been through tremendous efforts to reach the U.S., build a reputation, and create her own path. Because of this, he holds her in high regard and places trust in her decisions.”
During his teenage years, Miami served as a vibrant and disorderly setting for him. As Hernández expresses, “Growing up in Miami happens quickly since there’s so much nightlife that people engage in.” In such an environment, when you’re young, it’s natural to be drawn to these activities. Miami is like a place where underage individuals can easily access clubs with the help of a ‘fake ID.’ However, this comes at a cost as your identification card gets broken in front of you if you get caught.
In the comedy skit “Nightclub Line” on Saturday Night Live, he portrayed a seasoned promoter guiding a naive bouncer, played by Jason Momoa. The audience found hilarity in the characters’ meticulousness and dedication to their roles.
“Hernández comments, ‘These promoters are merciless.’ They seem to report to someone higher up who demands, ‘You must attract all the attractive individuals.’ It was quite exciting to collaborate with Kenan Thompson and Jason Momoa – both fitting perfectly as a charming Miami bouncer.”
Since every episode of “SNL” features a new celebrity host, Hernández has been fortunate enough to witness renowned personalities showcase their skills in unexpected manners. For instance, during Timothée Chalamet’s recent stint, Hernández even shared the stage with the Oscar-nominated star during his opening monologue, and together they performed an energetic rap number titled “Baby Face.” The crowd erupted as the two rapped playfully, “I’ve got a baby face / But my hips don’t deceive / Call me a naughty kid, lady, I’m a troublemaker.”
“Hernandez remarks, ‘It’s important we acknowledge Timmy’s talents.’ He certainly performed well in rapping, if you catch my drift? He has a knack for it.”
During my college years in Cleveland, the comedian Sean Patton offered me some valuable advice: “Whenever you can, head to New York City at least three times a year – once during winter, again in fall, and one more time in spring. Spend a week or two there each time, catch up with everyone, and make sure they remember you. That way, when you return, it won’t be like you’re a stranger; instead, they’ll greet you warmly as someone they recognize – ‘Ah, here’s Marcello! He was here before.'” This wisdom has been invaluable for me as I navigate the bustling world of cinema and entertainment.
During one of those journeys, Hernandez encountered Bill Murray. “He was casually standing on the sidewalk, chatting with folks and holding a sort of gathering. I simply took his hand and said,” – Hernandez demonstrates by pressing his hands together – “‘It’s truly a pleasure to meet you. I admire you. I appreciate the work that you’ve done.’ And he responded, ‘Thank you.'”
When the pandemic started, Hernández returned to his hometown, Miami, and began sharing his own videos on TikTok while also hosting a web series for a local news channel. These videos showcased his stand-up comedy routines and commentary about life in Miami-Dade County, earning him millions of views. However, this newfound popularity attracted both supporters and critics. Hernández humorously shared an example of the supportive messages he received: “My mom opened up a fake account and would say things like” — adopting the tone of a sharp middle-aged Cuban American woman — “‘You seem fun. I bet you’re a lot of fun, huh? This guy’s just trying to make it!'”
After the restrictions were lifted, he went back to New York with a renewed understanding of his audience. Not long after, he got booked on “SNL,” and ran into Murray at a party. Hernández reminded him about their initial meeting, to which Murray responded casually, “Oh, that’s — yeah, man.” Hernández laughs now, as it seemed Murray didn’t recall their first encounter, but he adds, “He was still very kind.”
Apart from Murray, Murphy, Seinfeld, and others on his extensive list of comedic influences, such as Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, Kevin Hart, and Bernie Mac, he aspires to follow in their footsteps. “I aim to achieve the same level of success they’ve attained,” he shares, “but I plan to bring a unique, Hispanic flavor to my comedy.”
Despite Hernández continuing to refine his comedic approach, he makes it clear that he has no interest in creating overly crude humor. His Chalamet rap, which might be considered as distasteful as his work gets, actually serves as a jest that he’s truly a kind-hearted person. With the upcoming contentious presidential election on “Saturday Night Live,” he also chooses to avoid politics. “I just aim to remain cheerful and optimistic,” he shares. “I dislike the turmoil it brings.”
After that, we have Chappelle, who faced criticism over his comments in his Netflix special “The Closer,” which some perceived as being disrespectful towards transgender individuals. Hernández had collaborated with Chappelle on “SNL” and even had the opportunity to open for him; he’s also spent time with Chappelle’s family.
“Hernandez expresses that he doesn’t mind people who take issue with Chappelle. In fact, he appreciates everyone, including Dave Chappelle and those who are upset with him.”
As the focus on Hernandez intensifies with “SNL” delving into the Trump-Harris confrontation, and as the situation becomes more complex, he appears at ease. This is understandable given that when the path to achievement is challenging, it’s beneficial to have some well-known allies you can reach out to for assistance.
Styling by Alex Badia; Sr. Market Editor, Mens: Luis Campuzano; Senior Market Editor, Accessories: Thomas Waller; Fashion Market Editor: Emily Mercer; Fashion Assistants: Ari Stark and Kimberly Infante; Set Design: Viki Rutsch/Exposure NY; Grooming: Evy Drew/ Exclusive Artists/Ko Gen Do
Read More
- CKB PREDICTION. CKB cryptocurrency
- EUR INR PREDICTION
- PBX PREDICTION. PBX cryptocurrency
- ICP PREDICTION. ICP cryptocurrency
- TANK PREDICTION. TANK cryptocurrency
- IMX PREDICTION. IMX cryptocurrency
- BSW PREDICTION. BSW cryptocurrency
- PENDLE PREDICTION. PENDLE cryptocurrency
- GEAR PREDICTION. GEAR cryptocurrency
- USD DKK PREDICTION
2024-08-07 18:18