Melissa McCarthy Shines in SNL Hosting Role as Pete Hegseth Makes a Surprise Cold Open Return
Melissa McCarthy made a standout return to “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) as host for the sixth time this past weekend. Her comedic talent was on full display, showcasing her ability to elevate sketches filled with eccentric characters and hilarious situations.
Key Moments from Melissa McCarthy’s Hosting
McCarthy kicked off the episode with a vibrant monologue introducing her new “mouth horn” talent, which combines humming and beatboxing. She humorously celebrated the start of the Christmas season, engaging the audience with her signature energy. This set the pace for an episode filled with memorable sketches.
Cold Open featuring Pete Hegseth
The cold open featured Colin Jost reprising his role as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This time, Hegseth was depicted as a brash bully at a White House press conference. His aggressive questioning started with, “Where are the fatties?” before he continued to reference U.S. military actions in Venezuela. The sketch also included characters like a sleepy President Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, who humorously interjected with remarks during Hegseth’s press conference.
Sketch Highlights
- Supermarket Adventure: McCarthy portrayed an overly clingy woman befriending a supermarket worker, showcasing her ability to create comedic tension.
- UPS Chaos: In one of the episode’s standout sketches, McCarthy played Donna, a UPS employee, caught on security cameras mishandling packages in outrageous ways. She displayed impeccable timing and comedic flair as her character attempted to deflect blame.
- Cousin Planet: McCarthy starred in a quirky music video about the fictional Cousin Planet, where family gatherings take strange turns. This sketch highlighted both her comedic range and the creativity of the SNL team.
Weekend Update Segment
The “Weekend Update” segment featured various comedic guests. Sarah Sherman portrayed a viral drunk raccoon, adding a humorous twist to the news segment with her zany antics. The interaction with Jost provided a lively moment that resonated with the audience.
Musical Guest and Tributes
This week’s musical guest, Dijon, performed his tracks “HIGHER!” and “Baby!/Another Baby!” Additionally, SNL honored Craig Kellem, a producer from the show’s inaugural season, who passed away earlier this week, adding a heartfelt note to the episode.
Overall, McCarthy’s presence on SNL continues to be a testament to her comedic prowess. When given the material to work with, she proves to be a quintessential force in sketch comedy, delighting audiences and leaving them eager for her next appearance.
