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Walton Goggins hosts ‘SNL’ for the first time, bringing his oddball energy to the show

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It would have been a missed opportunity for “Saturday Night Live” to stick with the familiar during an episode starring Walton Goggins, who was making his debut as host.

Though some may recognize him from his role in Season 3 of “The White Lotus” on HBO, Goggins has built a career portraying characters that are offbeat, eccentric, or charming from the South. Shows like “Justified” and “The Righteous Gemstones,” which recently concluded its fourth and final season, have showcased his talent in these roles.

This week’s “SNL” was thoughtfully tailored for both aspects of Goggins’ talent. He excels in dramatic roles, yet he’s also adept at portraying ludicrous characters like Uncle Baby Billy on “Gemstones.

In another sketch featuring Cecily Strong reprising her role as U.S Atty. Jeanine Pirro in a President Trump-themed cold open, Goggins showcased his versatility by portraying three distinct characters: a passionate waiter at a Mother’s Day brunch, a gun-loving Founding Father named Matt, and a man with petite feet in a musical number inspired by Jane Wickline. Each character was well-executed and entertaining, demonstrating Goggins’ impressive acting skills.

He participated in a theatrical performance as well, acting before an audience of 20 service dogs being trained. The show included a skit featuring a boss character (Goggins) and his wife (Sarah Sherman), who had unusual bathroom habits, and another skit about a restaurant with a horror theme where the staff (Bowen Yang and Ego Nwodim) faced challenges in creating a spooky atmosphere.

Throughout the performance, Goggins maintained a consistent blend of humor and solidity, although he tripped over a few lines at the start. His dedication to the acts was impressive, making it a successful appearance overall; we can expect him to return. Additionally, there’s a possibility that he might invite his “White Lotus” fellow actor, Sam Rockwell, for another appearance – a sneak peek of Rockwell was seen in the mini-feet video.

Regarding unusual vibes, Arcade Fire played “Pink Elephant” and “Year of the Snake.” During the latter, lead singer Win Butler failed to destroy his guitar, instead displaying it to the crowd with the words “The Machine is Broken” etched on it. He had previously destroyed a guitar on Saturday Night Live back in 2007.

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This week’s opening scene seemed to follow the show’s pattern of using cast members’ real mothers for Mother’s Day, but this expectation was quickly shattered with another monologue from James Austin Johnson as Trump. This time, Trump spoke about Pope Leo from Chicago (“Like Da Bears, but Da Prayers”) and Christianity in general. He praised the Popemobile as his favorite vehicle after Weiner and Bat, but expressed dislike for holy water, questioning why it burns when it touches the skin. The scene became more lively when Cecily Strong appeared as Pirro, carrying a wine holder she called a “Cozy for my Merlotzy.” Pirro was happy to be part of an administration filled with “Russian assets, booze hounds, and people famous for the small animals they’ve killed.” Colin Jost then entered as embattled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who kept getting red wine spit on him by Pirro. Before the third time, he offered her a pint of his preferred alcohol, claiming he doesn’t drink it.

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Some “SNL” hosts utilize their monologue to display their singing talent. In Goggins’ case, he employed it to discuss the experience of being a sex symbol at 53 (“It’s amazing!”), but also acknowledged the less flattering headlines that have come with the attention, such as Cosmopolitan’s, “Are We All Infatuated with Walton Goggins’ Receding Hairline?” Goggins then switched topics to discuss growing up with a single mother, aunts, and grandmother in Atlanta. He brought his mother, who was present in the audience, onto the stage to dance with him. When a slow Al Green song transitioned into a more energetic and impressive dance routine, it turned into a heartwarming and joyful moment.

Best sketch of the night: Be careful asking about the ‘bottomless’ mimosas

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In this Mother’s Day skit, the restaurant scene becomes quite scandalous as Michael Goggins showcases his unique talent for portraying characters that are both oily and irresistibly charming. Sherman and Heidi Gardner play moms enjoying brunch with their sons (Mikey Day and Andrew Dismukes). Goggins, with several shirt buttons unfastened, plays a lewd waiter who pushes the boundaries of flirtation with the mothers to an extreme. “Even though your momma baked you,” he teases, “that doesn’t mean other men don’t want to see the oven,” he says, scolding the sons when they object to his behavior. Goggins clearly enjoys himself in this performance and delivers some hilarious one-liners.

Also good: This trip to the zoo even has a Sam Rockwell cameo

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If you enjoy catchy and innovative tunes, this season has been entertaining with newcomer Jane Wickline leaving her mark, particularly during “Weekend Update” segments. In one of her standout performances, she stars in a music video about a miniature baby shoe found at Central Park Zoo. Surprisingly, the shoe doesn’t belong to a small infant but to a grown man with tiny feet (Goggins). The song takes an unexpected turn when the man proposes they date. Wickline isn’t interested. Then, Rockwell steps in as himself to explain the Cinderella narrative and create balloon sculptures. It’s an unusual sketch, but the tune is enjoyable, and Wickline proves she adds a distinctive touch to the show.

‘Weekend Update’ winner: Hate spiders? You will relate

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This week’s “Update” segment showcased three guests: Marcello Hernández returned with his Movie Guy persona to chat about “Sinners” and unseen films; Gardner portrayed a woman visiting New York who’s only familiar with the city from Facebook posts; and Mikey Day entered as a man who stumbled into a spiderweb, but he was there to discuss tariffs. Among the three, Day’s performance stood out, as his segments in “Update” are often verbose monologues. Instead, Day delivered an engaging physical comedy routine – he got up, acted terrified upon removing his shirt, and tumbled over several times. His performance was particularly amusing for those who fear spiders.

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2025-05-11 10:31

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