‘SNL’: Paul Mescal, in His Hosting Debut, Riffs on Irish Stereotypes and His Love for Short-Shorts

As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of cinema over the decades, I must say that Paul Mescal‘s hosting debut on Saturday Night Live was a breath of fresh air. His humility, self-deprecating humor, and unapologetic embrace of his roots were truly endearing.

Tonight, actor Paul Mescal, known for his role in “Gladiator II”, took the stage as a host for the first time on “Saturday Night Live” during its 50th season. Throughout the show, he humorously touched upon topics ranging from his minimal experience in comedy to his Irish heritage.

Dressed entirely in black with a well-groomed mustache, Paul Mescal confidently stepped onto the stage at Studio 8H, announcing, “I’m Paul Mescal, and I’m thrilled to be here. I’ve long admired SNL. This venue is steeped in history.

Originally hailing from Maynooth, Ireland, Mescal remarked, “I never envisioned myself being in this place. What’s intriguing is that I’m not widely recognized for my comedic skills, yet I believe I’ve delivered some truly humorous performances.

In a recent statement, the actor famed for his intense performances, such as those seen in the Hulu miniseries “Normal People,” remarked, “I believe we’ve got some standout moments here.” As clips from Mescal’s work in “Normal People” and other impactful film roles were shown in the studio, they elicited hearty laughter.

With a grin, he remarked, “I find it amusing, don’t you? I’ve shown I’m comfortable with intense and vulnerable scenes, even nude ones. But for something different, I’ve moved onto ‘Gladiator II.’ It’s packed with action and is quite the spectacle. Let me show you,” Mescal said, flashing a smile as a clip of him crying in the shower played.

“It’s safe to say there’s not a lot of comedy on the resume,” he said with a grin.

Nonetheless, I am genuinely proud of my Irish heritage,” expressed Mescal. “The Irish have endured much: centuries under British rule, the terrible potato famine, widespread emigration, and even an U2 album that seemingly appeared on everyone’s digital devices.

Afterward, the performer felt compelled to challenge certain “unflattering prejudices” about the Irish. “It’s disrespectful and absurd that there’s a myth suggesting Irish people engage in incestuous relationships with their first cousins,” he stated, struggling to keep a chuckle at bay. “What I’m trying to say is, we associate with our second cousins.

In a conversation, Mescal clarified, “It’s misunderstood that we harbor dislike towards the British. That’s not accurate; we simply don’t recognize them as people.” When queried about the potential offensiveness of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish mascot, Mescal responded, “Absolutely not! In fact, we do the same with Americans; my former high school even had the Fighting Obese Butts as its mascot.

The actor clarified a common misconception about Irish attire, stating, “No, it’s the Scots who wear kilts. Historically, the Irish typically don briefs or short-shorts,” he explained, as an image of Mescal in small shorts appeared on screen. “Were those tiny shorts mentioned?” quipped Marcello Hernandez, stepping onto the stage adorned with similar attire.

“You know what they say, Paul, the shorter the shorts the taller you look,” said Hernandez.

“I don’t think it’s working, bud,” said Mescal with a laugh.

As a film enthusiast, I couldn’t help but acknowledge a common Irish stereotype that resonated strongly within me tonight. The notion of ‘the luck of the Irish’ seems almost too fitting for my current situation. Here I am in the bustling New York City, graced with the opportunity to host SNL, an experience so surreal and outlandish, it feels like a dream come true.

Grammy-nominated Shaboozey is the episode’s musical guest.

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2024-12-08 08:16