Saturday Night Live wasted no time introducing its new cast members as it kicked off Season 51 tonight.
In fact, the first person speaking in the cold open was none other than Jeremy Culhane, one of four new talents never before seen on SNL, alongside Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska, and Tommy Brennan.In the first sketch, Culhane played a military official introducing U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a meeting of generals at Quantico.
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“Ten-hut! Welcome, generals,” he said. “You all have dedicated your lives to defending this nation, and as a reward, you will now be yelled at by a former Fox news host. Please welcome, the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth.”
In a rare sketch appearance, Colin Jost stepped out to portray Hegseth, who bemoaned that our army “has never been gayer,” and at the same time, somehow, “also has never been fatter…Make that make sense.”
Later in the cold open, James Austin Johnson appeared as President Trump,” deadpanned that SNL‘s new season is “off to a rough start. 17 new cast members, and they got the Update guy doing the opening.
“Frankly, I’m surprised Colin’s here,” Johnson continued. “I thought he’d be with his friends at the Riyadh Comedy Festival,” to which Jost responded sadly, “I didn’t get an offer.”
In the Jeopardy-themed next sketch following host Bad Bunny’s monologue, Slowikowska made her debut as Cynthia, one of the contestants alongside Lucas (pronounced Luck-ass), portrayed by Kenan Thompson, and Duke, played by Bad Bunny. Featuring Andrew Dismukes as Jeopardy’s host, the sketch gave Slowikowska little to do as the comedic straight man, focusing instead on Duke’s inability to figure out how to phrase his answers as questions.
Slowikowska got another shot on screen in a later sketch, where she played an actor in an advertisement for “ChatGPTio,” an alternate version of ChatGPT, for those tired of a service that can be “too friendly and helpful” in its messaging. Her character asked ChatGPTio (played by Marcello Hernandez) multiple questions, including, “How do I make vegan banana bread?” Not to be disturbed while playing dominoes, GhatGPTio shot her down by saying simply, “You don’t.”
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Culhane appeared for the second time here, as a man asking ChatGPTio for “ice breakers” on a first date. Showing off his ability to be sexually explicit, in a way regular, old ChatGPT never would be, ChatGPTio advised him, “When you get her home, try this. You get a Halls cough drop” — and “when you go downtown on her,” you blow cold minty air at her private parts.
Officially a new cast member this season, after appearing in recent years as part of Please Don’t Destroy, the sketch group focused on digital shorts, Ben Marshall asked ChatGPTio, “Was Jesus really God?” to which he replied, “Yes.”
As our sources predicted he would, Patterson went straight to Weekend Update. He was said to be there to discuss the Diddy sentencing but launched right into another topic that he felt more pressing. “Let’s get down to business. I’ve been here for like 45 minutes now. When are you going to let me say the N-word?” he asked Update‘s Jost.
“You can’t just say the N-word on this show,” said Jost. “We could get fined.”
“That’s fine. I’ll pay it,” Patterson said.
When Jost let him know the fine could be up to half a million dollars, Patterson shot back, “That’s fine. You’ll pay it.”
When Jost refused, Patterson said, “Colin, I’m a stand-up comedian from Florida. Saying that word is what I do. Come on, bro. This is exactly what Jimmy Kimmel fought for.”
“That’s not what Jimmy Kimmel fought for,” Jost said with a laugh. “It’s just not something we really do here.”
“Oh, really?” asked Patterson. “I’ve done my research, and I’m going to tell you something. It’s been said a few times on this show. Roll the clip.”
Jost later told Patterson he thinks he brings “more to the table” than just saying the N-word, but Patterson insisted that “the people on the internet would disagree.” He, did, however, want to correct the misconception that he won’t be playing a ton of characters on SNL — listing “the guy that played Kramer, Paula Deen, and the ghost of Hulk Hogan” as three he’d like to try his hand at.
SNL has 17 cast members this season in total. Apart from the aforementioned, that includes Michael Che, Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman, Bowen Yang, Ashley Padilla, and Jane Wickline. Five cast members exited ahead of the new season, including Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, and Devon Walker.
The final sketch in which SNL newcomers figured was a historical one offering explanation for the complexity of the Spanish language. Patterson, Culhane, and Tommy Brennan all appeared as background characters, with One Battle After Another‘s Benicio Del Toro making a cameo.
Bad Bunny was joined for tonight’s episode by musical guest Doja Cat. Next week, former SNL cast member Amy Poehler returns as host, with musical guest Role Model.
The post How ‘Saturday Night Live’ Introduced New Cast For Season 51 appeared first on Deadline.
