Highlights from the Premiere of Saturday Night Live’s 50th Season
On March 30, 2025, Saturday Night Live (SNL) kicked off its highly anticipated 50th season, featuring actress Mikey Madison, known for her roles in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Better Things, as the evening’s host. The premiere set the tone for an exciting season ahead with a blend of humor and cultural references.
Sketch Insight: The Acting Coach
The debut episode featured a satirical sketch set in a fictional acting class led by Marcello Hernández, who portrayed an intensely quirky acting coach. This engaging segment allowed students to display their talents and receive feedback, creating a humorous backdrop for the unfolding drama.
When prompted to share her acting history, Madison’s character, Connie, humorously recounted her experiences with reality TV:
“Number one, Survivor, Choked on some water, medically evacuated. Number two, Hell’s Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay called me a donut. Number three, Love Is Blind, fell in love, then saw him and said, no bi**h,” she added.
The sketch effectively encapsulated the essence of the episode, combining celebrity wit and exaggerated character portrayals, highlighting Hernández as he defended his qualifications through absurd anecdotes.
Memorable Moments and Character Dynamics
Following Madison’s lively opening monologue, the sketch featuring Hernández truly captured the audience’s attention. As the enthusiastic coach, he addressed his class, including Andrew Dismukes as David and Madison as Connie. During a moment of contention regarding his credentials, the comedic tension escalated, revealing Hernández’s outrageous past reality show appearances:
“Number 1, Wipeout. Busted my face on a big red ball. Number 2, What Would You Do? with John Quiñónes. Did not help and was racist. Number 3, White Lotus. Auditioned for the incest scene with my biological brother, and I didn’t hate it,” he shared.
In response, Dismukes’ character humorously pointed out:
“So you didn’t get the part and you made out with your brother?”
This exchange marked one of the sketch’s most entertaining moments, showcasing the intelligent humor that SNL is renowned for. Hernández’s remarkable physical comedy and impromptu moves invigorated the performance, notably when he imitated a Nike commercial while navigating the absurdity of the scene.
Almost Breaking Character
A standout moment of the sketch occurred when Hernández found it challenging to maintain his composure while interacting with Madison. Amid laughter from the audience, his effort to keep a straight face became evident:
“Connie, my slippery little beaver. Come up here” — nearly caused a full break.
The lively atmosphere conveyed an infectious energy, eliciting laughter and applause as Hernández continued to act through the scenario, illustrating the spontaneity that is a hallmark of live performances.
Further Episode Highlights
During her opening monologue, Mikey Madison cleverly contrasted her calm demeanor with the intense characters she often portrays:
“As you can tell, I have a pretty relaxed vibe in real life, and I try to incorporate that into all my roles,” she joked.
This lighthearted insight was complemented by clips showcasing her in far more chaotic and action-packed roles. Additionally, country star Morgan Wallen graced the stage, performing “I’m the Problem”and “Just in Case,”both from his upcoming album.
To experience this stellar premiere of Saturday Night Live Season 50, viewers can currently find the episode streaming on NBC and Peacock.