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Lady Gaga slays on ‘SNL’ with musical sketches and performances from ‘Mayhem’

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The standout “SNL” episodes often cater to the preferences and skills of the hosts, or even musical guests, using their abilities to power the comedy engine. This synergy becomes particularly smooth when the host doubles as the music act, like Lady Gaga did during her first hosting stint since 2013.

Why did it take her such a long time before returning? Gaga excelled during her performance, showcasing her powerful vocals and dancing skills across various skits, displaying comedic timing to match the rest of the cast, and publicly committing to not reprise her role in another “Joker” film.

She delivered two lively tracks, “Abracadabra” and “Killah,” from her latest album titled “Mayhem.” For the former, she donned a vibrant red bodysuit adorned with a movable skull accessory, culminating on top of a pile of laid-out individuals. I can’t help but perceive this as an understated tribute to the movie “Conclave.

In two separate skits on the show, Lady Gaga teamed up with Bowen Yang. One sketch showcased a duet between a restaurant-going couple (Gaga and Yang), where they performed a modern rendition of Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight.” Another skit tackled the topic of why terms like “slay” and “bop” should no longer be used, particularly in relation to appropriation. In another scene, Gaga sang an ode to a weight-lifting mouse named Pip.

In one skit, she collaborated with Heidi Gardner to pitch the idea of a Roaring ’20s themed funeral. Additionally, there were two parodies of commercials: one for little red glasses marketed towards older women and another for L’Oreal Easy Run mascara that made crying noticeably visible. Lastly, she participated in a Satanic ritual at a Friendly’s restaurant that was instigated by a customer falsely claiming their birthday.

As a devoted film enthusiast, I must admit that sometimes “Saturday Night Live” fails to fully capitalize on the immense talents of its hosts. However, when Lady Gaga graced the stage, it was nothing short of spectacular! Her performance was consistently captivating and truly outstanding.

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This week’s opening scene centered around the alleged argument between Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Marcello Hernández) and DOGE leader Elon Musk (Mike Myers, reprising his role), during a White House meeting. President Trump (James Austin Johnson) attempts to reconcile Rubio, affectionately referring to him as “my dear little Marco” before changing his name to “Mark Ruby.” Each character delves into their inner thoughts; Rubio hears the closing theme from “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, Trump realizes he doesn’t always need to vocalize his thoughts, and Musk makes a Dr. Evil pinky gesture while pondering if accepting a government position was a poor decision. “America is turning into a villain,” Trump stated. Remarkably, the skit did not showcase an actual quarrel between Rubio and Musk, and the Myers portrayal of Elon appears to be prolonged, even in its second appearance.

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Gaga’s speech started with a humorous reference to the perceived age of female pop artists (with Gaga being 38 and jokingly claiming that performers like Chappell Roan and Charli XCX are older). She boasted about her acting abilities, shared her pride in receiving a Razzie award for worst screen duo (“Ha! They underestimated me… I love winning!”), and revealed that the man she’s engaged to was introduced by her mother. In closing, she assured, “I vow to perform, to sing, and most certainly not to take part in ‘Joker 3’.

Best sketch of the night: Why isn’t rideable luggage in more rom-coms?

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There are multiple factors that might have caused this production to veer off course, either due to technical issues or live TV mishaps. For instance, it incorporates real puppies, extensive green-screen scenes with people traveling on suitcases along a highway, and a scene where Lady Gaga and Hernández, portraying young lovers, navigate through the audience and backstage on their suitcases. Remarkably, this peculiar sketch about a woman relocating to France for culinary school and departing in rideable luggage manages to be both absurdly amusing – with the inclusion of a motorcycle gang known as the Sons of Samsonite – and heartwarmingly touching simultaneously. It’s an unanticipated pleasure to watch.

Also good: Never underestimate Pip the vengeful mous

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In the world of Dan Bulla’s pre-recorded skits, I often find myself witnessing unexpectedly brutal, almost comical violence. This particular piece is no different. However, before it escalates to that point, it presents a heartwarming tale about a tiny, bullied mouse named Pip who aspires to compete in weightlifting at high school. A compassionate classmate, portrayed by Lady Gaga, offers support through a catchy song as Pip trains using a hot dog as a punching bag and lifting blocks of cheese like barbells. The lyrics go, “Give a mouse a cookie, he’ll get lazy; give a mouse a challenge, he’ll work like crazy.” Despite his lack of strength, Pip is determined to stand up against the one who tormented him.

‘Weekend Update’ winner: Oh Lord, it’s Lady Gaga’s (fake) husband

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This week on “Update,” Kenan Thompson played Kendrick Perkins, the outspoken former NBA star turned ESPN commentator, but it was Mikey Day who stole the show as “Lord Gaga,” a fictional husband of the host. With puns inspired by Lady Gaga’s music and themes (“He married a Lord. I was just born this way”), “Lord Gaga” belittled his wife’s accomplishments and earnings, and hinted at Colin Jost’s well-known wife Scarlett Johansson. “Can you fathom a man whose wife earns more than he?” Lord Gaga exclaimed, “That would be a living horror!

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2025-03-09 11:31

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