Paul Mescal made his debut on the iconic stage of Saturday Night Live, showcasing his humorous side alongside his acting talents. The star of Gladiator II expressed his excitement for the opportunity, humorously acknowledging that he is “not really known for comedy.” He quipped, “which is crazy to me because I think I’ve given a lot of really funny performances.”
To highlight his dramatic background, Mescal presented a montage featuring some of his most intense emotional scenes, light-heartedly admitting, “I think it’s pretty clear I’m not afraid to do emotional scenes or nude scenes or nude emotional scenes.” He chuckled, noting that comedy is not prominently featured in his professional history.
He proudly shared his Irish heritage, referencing the resilience of the Irish people throughout history, stating, “The Irish people have been through a lot, you know, centuries of British occupation, the greater famine, mass emigration, that U2 album that automatically got downloaded to [iTunes].”
Mescal took the time to tackle some “ugly stereotypes about the Irish.” He playfully addressed the misconception regarding Irish people’s relationships, declaring, “That’s offensive and it’s ridiculous. We have sex with our second cousins.” He humorously denied the claim that Irish people harbor disdain for the British, saying, “We just don’t consider them people.”
He also shared some lighthearted thoughts about mascot representations, remarking that he doesn’t find the Fighting Irish mascot offensive, humorously adding, “In fact, my high school’s mascot was the Fighting Fat-Asses.”
In a playful reference to his viral fashion moment involving short shorts, fellow comedian Marcello Hernández made a brief appearance emulating Mescal’s look. Mescal concluded his monologue on a high note, expressing, “You know, people often talk about the luck of the Irish and tonight, I have to say, 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 appearance marks an exciting venture for Mescal as he steps into the world of comedy. His performance not only showcases his versatility as an actor but also highlights his ability to connect with audiences through humor, making it a memorable debut on SNL.
Overall, Mescal’s blend of sincerity and humor bridges the gap between drama and comedy, and his engaging presence on SNL may just promote a new dimension to his career.