As mentioned in the first real “Please Don’t Destroy” sketch to air this season that wasn’t a commercial, serious actors don’t always do well on “Saturday Night Live.” Either they’re not really funny, or they’re too concerned about being seen as as funny as they think they are, and the result is a guest-host role that feels too taxing.

“Gladiator II” actor Paul Mescal avoided that fate with a breezy, entertaining performance in his “SNL” debut, doing what young actors are always supposed to do when hosting the show for the first time: surrender to the process and not Be afraid of looking stupid.

Mescal brought his acting intensity to sketches like the one about a college student whose parents hate his new ear piercinga scene about an actor fighting with you Commercial for an Italian restaurantand an absolutely perfect portrayal of his compatriot Bono towards the end of the show.

But he was also pretty silly in a sketch via a Spotify Wrapped playlist with little-known singer and podcaster Satoshi Gutman (Bowen Yang) and an appearance by an internet celebrity Trisha Paytasa court sketch about a terrible lawyer (Andrew Dismukes) and one about a An all-male dance revue with a pirate theme. But nowhere was Mescal more engaging than in the night’s two standouts: a “Please Don’t Destroy” video, in which Mescal falls in love with the “SNL” writers, and a “Gladiator II” trailer, in which the film is being made into a musical. Mescal is fantastic in both areas and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him return as host for a second time at some point in the future.

Musical guest Shaboozey performed.Good news” And “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”

Dana Carvey’s residency on Season 50 of “SNL” continued with the revival of his character “Church Lady” in the cold open, the first time we’ve seen it Watched “Church Chat” on the show since 2016. Church Lady initially called 2024 “the most satanic year ever,” referencing Hawk Tuah Girl, the film “Wicked” and pop star Sabrina Carpenter. “You know who he is preferably “Carpenter?” she asked. “Jesus!” Church Lady welcomed former U.S. Attorney General Matt Gaetz (Sarah Sherman), who joked about his facial features, and Hunter Biden (“SNL” alum David Spade, Carveys “)Fly on the wall“Podcasting co-host) who once said, “Forgive me,” and made comparisons to Jesus, another son who was forgiven by his father. The last guest was a baseball phenomenon Juan Soto (Marcello Hernández), who earned a change to one of the Church Lady’s catchphrases when she replied, “Well, right?” Spanish?” The cold open ended with the Church Chat dancers joining in with a song perhaps called “Satan Had a Good Year.”

Mescal’s brief monologue initially focused on his reputation for very serious roles in films like “Aftersun” and “All of Us Strangers” rather than his comedies. He joked that he either does nude scenes or crying scenes or nude scenes with crying. A short clip overlaid one of these appearances with footage from “Gladiator II.” The actor then spoke about his pride in being Irish, took a few shots of mascots from England and the USA and greeted Hernández, who came on stage in short shorts to appear more Irish like Mescal.

Best sketch of the night: “Gladiator II” could really use 50 minutes of singing

“Gladiator II” was a hit, but not as big a success as the new musicals “Wicked” and “Moana 2.” Hence a re-release of the film with 50 minutes of new, original songs, such as “There’s No Place Like Rome: “Our streets are the cleanest / Our soldiers are the meanest / And all our statues have tiny penises.” Mescal sings, “They call me a slave, they call me a murderer, but one day they’ll know my name!” as he slashes necks with his swords and gets into a rap battle with Mikey Day written by Lin-Manuel Miranda plays a “crazy emperor in a bad mood”. It ends with the floss dance, a broomstick ride, and the perfect title: “Gladiator Twosical.”

Also good: Dad time with the Please Don’t Destroy boys

For the first time all season, a full Please Don’t Destroy video aired, and it was good. When guest host Mescal learns from the writers that he is loved, he takes it literally and comes to the conclusion that he is actually falling in love with them. But not so much romantic; He wants to care for her and protect her in a winter cabin like a father would. But he is not her father: he is dad. And the guys wearing Old Navy pajamas are happy when he comes home after playing another sad hot guy in a movie. Angry villagers who don’t understand the love they share attack, but Dad and the boys stand up for their new family, at least in their cabin dream sequence.

“Weekend Update” Winner: The Dookie Family Lives Large

There was only one guest feature on Weekend Update this week: Heidi Gardner performed “A Mom Whose Son Just Got Famous” alongside Hernández, an NFL rookie. Mom is as excited about her new Oakley sunglasses and Louboutin shoes as she is about the success of her son, who has had to sacrifice his personality to get ahead. “Trust the process,” he says flatly. Mom is also looking forward to going backstage and meeting the musical guest: “I’m about to show Shaboozey my Shapoozey,” she says. The family’s last name is “Dookie” and there are many jokes about how the family stands firm even when it matters most. Maybe we could have used a second guest segment

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.