Paul Mescal made his debut on the Saturday Night Live stage, showcasing a lighter side of himself that expands beyond his impressive acting repertoire. The star of Gladiator II expressed his excitement about participating in the famed NBC late-night sketch show, humorously acknowledging that comedy is not typically his forte, yet he feels he has delivered many funny moments in his performances.
During his monologue, Mescal shared a supercut of intense scenes from his acting history, quipping, “It’s pretty clear I’m not afraid to do emotional scenes or nude scenes or nude emotional scenes,” highlighting his versatility as an actor. He candidly stated, “It’s safe to say there’s not a lot of comedy on the resumé.”
Celebrating his Irish heritage, he reflected on the struggles faced by the Irish people throughout history, such as British occupation and the Great Famine, adding a light-hearted nod to the infamous U2 album that was controversially downloaded to iTunes without consent.
Mescal tackled and dispelled several common stereotypes about the Irish in his comedic style, joking about misconceptions regarding their relationships and their feelings toward the British. He humorously asserted, “That’s offensive and it’s ridiculous. We have sex with our second cousins,” in reference to a stereotype about Irish relationships, and proclaimed that, contrary to belief, Irish people do not harbor hatred toward the British: “We just don’t consider them people.”
Adding to the humor, Mescal mentioned that he has no issue with the Notre Dame mascot, the Fighting Irish, playfully stating, “In fact, my high school’s mascot was the Fighting Fat-Asses.”
The actor also acknowledged the viral sensation caused by his fashion choices, particularly his short shorts, which were humorously replicated by cast member Marcello Hernández. In his closing remarks, Mescal expressed gratitude for being on SNL, saying, “I do feel very, very lucky to be here. I’m in New York City. I’m hosting SNL and this feels totally, totally insane to me.”
This SNL appearance not only showcases Mescal’s comedic talent but also reflects his ability to engage in lighthearted self-deprecation, making his foray into comedy an enjoyable and memorable moment for both him and the audience.
In summary, Paul Mescal’s debut on Saturday Night Live was marked by humor that playfully challenged stereotypes while celebrating his Irish identity, demonstrating that even the most serious actors can find joy and laughter on a comedic stage. This experience may lead to new opportunities for Mescal, further enriching his already diverse career in the entertainment industry.