Last week onSaturday Night Live,Triangle of SadnessandChampionsstarWoody Harrelsonjoined the coveted Five-Timers Club because he, well, hosted for the fifth time. Weirdly, there wasn’t an induction ceremony type of sketch, but, at the very end during the host’s thank-yous to everyone,Scarlett Johanssonstopped by to give Harrelson his shiny and velvety Five-Timers robe. This weekend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end and recent Super Bowl championTravis Kelceput down the football and picked up the sillies for hisSNLhosting debut alongside musical guestKelsea Ballerini.
Kelce is only the third NFL star to host the show within the last 15 years (J.J. Watthosted in 2020 andEli Manningin 2012) and he did not disappoint. It’s quite the gamble when athletes—or people so far removed from performing in that way—take the Studio 8H stage because there are so many things to factor into consideration. The wigs, the quick changes, knowing when and where to look, and most importantly, being funny. Thankfully, the two-time Super Bowl champ was up to the daunting task, despite having some pre-show jitters. “I used to watchSaturday Night Livewith my mother, and it’s an absolute honor and a privilege to be hosting,”he announced onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The tight end has been in the NFL for a decade and hasn’t played for any other team than the Kansas City Chiefs. They won the Super Bowl in 2019 against the San Francisco 49ers, but this year’s win was sweeter. That’s because Travis beat his older brotherJason Kelce, a center for the Philadelphia Eagles. This was the first time two brothers were ever pitted against each other in the Super Bowl, a truly impressive feat. During the monologue, Travis of course had to acknowledge how surreal the entire situation was.He even joked about itwith his parents and brother as they sat in the front row for his hosting debut. “You know, people keep asking me what it was like to beat my brother in the Super Bowl, and, um, it was…pretty awkward. Especially because after the game, we had to ride home together. Our mom drove us there in her minivan.” And he gives a shout-out to his best buddy and teammatePatrick Mahomes, the Chiefs' quarterback, in his Mahomes voice, of course.
Let’s revisit some of the best moments from the March 4 episode ofSaturday Night Live. Live from New York, it’s Travis Kelce!
RELATED:‘SNL’ Reveals ‘Wednesday’ Star Jenna Ortega and Super Bowl Winner Travis Kelce as March Hosts
5American Girl Doll Café
Okay, so, like, what is the big deal here? A very imposing man with a beard is dining with the loves of his life. His children? No, no. His dolls. Hischildren’sdolls? No, no.Hisdolls. Travis Kelce started off strong and set the tone for a fun and silly night. His character’s dolls are a handful, but they arehishandful, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Watch out, because puberty is hitting these dollies hard. And, no, he isnota creeper! Stop asking!
4Abby the Ex-Girlfriend
This sketch is funny for a lot of reasons, but knowing aboutHeidi Gardner’s admiration—nay, obsession—with the Kansas City Chiefs makes this one all the more delightful. The Kansas City native stars as Abby, the ex-girlfriend of Graham (Kelce), who she used to date three years ago. Gardner doesn’t hold anything back in this sketch, especially not tears. She swears she is so totally cool with running into her ex and is ready to prove to her friends (Ego NwodimandSarah Sherman) that she is so over him. Of course, this couldn’t be further from the truth as she hides her pain and longing in her shaky vocal fry. And the explosive and uncontrollable tears (thank youSNLwardrobe department), don’t help sell the faux confidence either. And there might be a fun cameo, too.
3Weekend Update: Sarah’s News
All is right in the world when Sarah Sherman slides over toColin Jostat the Weekend Update desk. These two proved to be a stand-out duo from all of TV in 2022, as evident in alist of fun pairingsI wrote at the end of last year. The unpredictable and unfilteredSNLfeatured player never disappoints when she roasts Jost. She did another edition of “Sarah’s News,” a segment that she sells as her version of the news when, in reality, it’s her way of Trojan-horsing insults to Jost. This time, she accuses the anchor of being a pedophile, a racist, and controlling of when the women at the show eat. Oh, what fun. And happy birthday, Sarah!
2Please Don’t Destroy - Self-Defense
The Please Don’t Destroy boysMartin Herlihy,Ben Marshall, andJohn Higginskill it for the second week in a row with their pre-recorded sketches. Last week,Ben and Woody Harrelson went on a stakeout, and this week, the three guys take a self-defense class led by the intense Kurt Lightning played by Kelce. With a name like that, he kind ofhasto be a self-defense instructor, don’t you think? Kurt has the trio take turns proving to themselves that they are in fact worth it and not small, but things take an extremely aggressive sharp turn. Er, hook to the jaw.
1Straight Male Friend
Bowen Yangstars in one of the most clever and accurateSNLcommercial parodies of recent memory. In a similar vein to medical commercials, Yang advertises a “product” that gay men should consider if they are physically, emotionally, and financially drained by their many straight female friends. They should try Straight Male Friend, a very low-stakes, low-energy, commitment-averse relationship that is a massive stress reliever for gays. Can’t afford another luxury vacation with the girls? Crash on the couch in sweatpants with your Straight Male Friend. Tired of hearing about emotional trauma? Don’t worry, your Straight Male Friend is genuinely too afraid to risk his manhood with the shed of a single tear. You are likely to gain weight, though. Lot of beer and wings.
Find out when you can watch the next episode ofSNLwhenScream VIandWednesdaystarJenna Ortegahosts alongside musical guestThe 1975.
