Paul Mescal made his debut as host on Saturday Night Live, bringing a humorous twist to his acting portfolio. The star of Gladiator II expressed his excitement about being on the iconic NBC late-night sketch show, acknowledging that he isn’t typically recognized for his comedic talent. He humorously reflected, “which is crazy to me because I think I’ve given a lot of really funny performances.”
During his monologue, Mescal presented a montage of some of his most intense, dramatic scenes, quipping, “I think it’s pretty clear I’m not afraid to do emotional scenes or nude scenes or nude emotional scenes.” He candidly acknowledged the absence of comedy on his résumé, remarking, “It’s safe to say there’s not a lot of comedy on the résumé.”
Proud of his Irish heritage, Mescal touched on the challenges faced by the Irish people throughout history, mentioning centuries of British occupation and the Great Famine, while also joking about a lesser-known difficulty: the automatic downloading of a U2 album to iTunes.
In a light-hearted effort to challenge stereotypes about the Irish, Mescal asserted that the notion of Irish people having intimate relations with cousins is unfounded, cleverly stating, “That’s offensive and it’s ridiculous. We have sex with our second cousins.” He also humorously dismissed the idea that Irish people harbor hatred for the British by humorously suggesting, “We just don’t consider them people.”
Mescal was not shy to poke fun at cultural mascots either, asserting he is not offended by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish mascot: “Not at all. We do the same thing with Americans. In fact, my high school’s mascot was the Fighting Fat-Asses.”
Highlighting his current viral fame for his fashion choices, particularly his short shorts, Mescal concluded his monologue on a high note, stating, “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.”
In this standout SNL appearance, Mescal showcased his versatility as an actor, seamlessly transitioning from serious roles to comedic performance, which adds an exciting dimension to his career. His ability to embrace humor while celebrating his heritage resonates well with audiences, underlining the importance of laughter and connection in today’s world.
In summary, Paul Mescal’s SNL debut was not just a chance to share laughs but also an opportunity to tackle stereotypes with wit and pride, making for a memorable night that highlighted the joy of comedy in the face of adversity.