Reel Review: Timothée Chalamet Is A Host Of Many Talents For SNL Season 50
Timothée Chalamet returned to host Saturday Night Live for the third time, but this time with a twist: he was also the musical guest. The Academy-Award nominated actor recently starred as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, where he famously sang Dylan’s songs. Chalamet channeled his inner Bob Dylan once again to perform double duty for SNL’s 50th anniversary season as both the host and musical guest.
Chalamet even went above and beyond and sang three songs rather than just two. He gave incredible performances of his personal favorite songs from Dylan’s discography. His first performance was introduced by Adam Sandler—a duo I didn’t know I needed! Chalamet sang a medley of “Outlaw Blues” and “Three Angels” with English singer and producer James Blake. For his second performance, he sang “Tomorrow Is a Long Time.” His performance perfectly reminded audiences of his incredible depiction of Dylan in A Complete Unknown, but it also had a special touch of Chalamet sprinkled into the performance. All I’d like to know is this: When is Timmy going on tour?
Chalamet has hosted the sketch comedy show several times in recent years, and at the rate he’s going, he’ll be in the show’s famous “Five-Timers Club” in no time! Let’s break down our thoughts on Chalamet’s hilarious third round as host.
Founding Fathers Cold Open
While this one didn’t include Chalamet, I did scream when Broadway superstar Lin-Manuel Miranda showed up as Alexander Hamilton. This hilarious opening to the show centered around the historic signing of the Declaration of Independence, with a short-lived rap by Miranda before he was interrupted by James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump. The sketch was a funny jab at the United States Political landscape since President Trump regained office, and Miranda’s surprise cameo got audiences excited for the show.
Monologue
Chalamet’s monologue hilariously poked fun at his four-year record of losing at award shows. He asked an audience member to announce who won an award that night, hoping to share an acceptance speech that he’s never gotten to deliver, but the award shockingly goes to Kenan Thompson. Chalamet and Thompson give the audience loads of laughs as Thompson does his best impression of a grateful award winner, while Chalamet is seething in the audience. Chalamet explained that he’d sing his favorite Bob Dylan songs. He jokingly mentioned, “I’m so grateful Saturday Night Live is still doing weird stuff like this 50 years in. They’re either really nice for letting me do this, or incredibly mean and this is all a big prank. I sincerely can’t tell. We’ll find out!”
Bungee
The first sketch of the night followed a girlfriend (played by Heidi Gardner) dragging her boyfriend (played by Michael Longfellow) to an innovative workout class. The bungee workout class was led by an eccentric instructor (played by Chalamet) who had insane names for his workout routine. Longfellow becomes increasingly perplexed by the class and questions if the workout is even doing anything. Chalamet perfectly portrays an intense workout guru who ultimately has no knowledge of fitness. I was hysterically laughing as Chalamet upped the ante with each bizarre pose he made the class hit. To be honest, I’d take this workout class in a heartbeat. Who cares if it doesn’t help your physical health one bit—especially if Chalamet is the one teaching?
New Barista Training
This sketch was a wacky, energetic trip from start to end! Mikey Day and Heidi Gardner play two cafe employees who are training a new batch of baristas. Jane Wickline, Devon Walker, and Ashley Padilla are the cast members who play along Chalamet as barista trainees. When Gardner and Day mention puns for the coffee shop’s chalkboard, the other trainees share cheesy coffee puns. However, Chalamet goes into a full Chris Rock impression. He continuously performs unhinged comedy bits that have nearly nothing to do with coffee. In a surprise twist, Gardner and Day end up giving the shop to Chalamet. I mean, a coffee shop with stand-up comedy doesn’t sound too bad if you ask me!
AI Software
This wacky sketch dived into the weird world of AI software. Ego Nwodim plays a teacher who shows her class an AI generated education podcast in hopes of it appealing to her students. The only problem? AI language sounds nothing like a normal human conversation. Bowen Yang joins Chalamet as his podcast co-host. The two are cleverly dressed in drab, grey colors to match their lack of personality. The two also have more than five fingers, thus proving that AI isn’t the best teacher.
Medcast
Is it impossible to get the guy in your life to go to the doctor? Don’t worry, SNL has the solution! This sketch was a parody commercial that advertises a new way for men to feel comfortable at the doctor: making it into a manly podcast. Andrew Dismukes, Ashley Padilla, and Marcello Hernandez play stereotypical “tough guy” types who are actually doctors running a podcast episode for their patients. This sketch throws patient-doctor confidentiality out the window and modernizes doctor visits for men!
Oedipal Arrangements
This sketch takes “mama’s boys” to a disturbing level. Heidi Gardner and Michael Longfellow play mother and son, who are clearly attracted to one another. Yuck! Mikey Day plays the dad who gets pushed aside when Longfellow gifts Gardner Oedipal Arrangements, which is a clear take on Edible Arrangements. Leaning into the Oedipus Complex, this fake commercial is a silly take on the famous fruit bouquet gift, but with a disgusting twist.
Dog Run
Have you ever wondered what it’d be like if dogs could talk? This sketch features Mikey Day and Chalamet as pups who meet up at a dog park. This sketch basically imagines what it’d be like if twenty-year-old boys at the club were turned into dogs at the park looking for ladies. The sketch dives into the zoomies epidemic, overly aggressive pups, and meeting ladies. The best club in New York City might be the dog park!
Grandma’s Birthday
I’m not ashamed to admit I was hysterically laughing and crying with this one! This sketch was my personal favorite of the night, with Chalamet saving Sarah Sherman with some unorthodox medical practices. Sherman plays a grandmother who suddenly has a heart attack at her birthday party. Luckily, Chalamet’s playing a cardiologist who jumps to save her. However, his version of CPR isn’t something you’d find in a textbook—or anywhere for that matter. There’s no polite way to phrase this next sentence. Rather than perform mouth-to-mouth to the ailing grandma, Chalamet farts into her face, which gives air back to the nearly dead woman. Is there any medical accuracy behind this method? The jury is still out on that one.
God- An SNL Animated Short
Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline play Angels who help Chalamet’s God create the world. This hilarious bit includes several trial and errors by God as he tries to create life as we know it. Chalamet’s version of God is reminiscent of a frat dude or skater boy you’d meet today, which leveled up the silliness of this sketch. It’s rare to see an animated sketch from the show, but it was beautifully done!
