Saturday Night Live Recap: Walton Goggins Charms in Hosting Debut, Cecily Strong and Colin Jost Surprise Fans

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live Recap: Walton Goggins Charms in Hosting Debut, Cecily Strong and Colin Jost Surprise Fans

By world Hub| May 11, 2025

As Saturday Night Live reaches the final stretch of its historic 50th season, the energy and surprises show no signs of slowing down. The May 10th episode was a strong outing, featuring first-time host Walton Goggins, veteran musical guests Arcade Fire, and unexpected appearances from beloved former cast members Cecily Strong and Colin Jost.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or just catching up on the buzz, here’s a full breakdown of everything that made this episode a standout.

A Heartfelt Opening with a Twist

The show began with a sweet musical tribute to moms, led by cast members Kenan Thompson, Marcello Hernández, and Bowen Yang, in honor of Mother’s Day. But in classic SNL fashion, sincerity quickly gave way to satire as James Austin Johnson entered as former President Donald Trump.

His impersonation was as sharp as ever, delivering jokes about recent headlines including the newly appointed American Pope and his “Chicago-style” background. The punchlines mixed absurd humor with spot-on political parody, a hallmark of Johnson’s appearances this season.

Surprise Cameos Light Up the Cold Open

The sketch took a nostalgic turn when Cecily Strong returned as her iconic character, Jeanine Pirro. Wine glass in hand and full of fiery attitude, Strong brought back her trademark comedic edge, referencing Pirro’s TV fame and sharp-tongued opinions. Her presence energized the scene, giving long-time viewers a dose of classic SNL charm.

The final surprise came in the form of Colin Jost, who stepped away from the Weekend Update desk to portray Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense. The crowd’s reaction said it all — seeing these familiar faces back together was a treat.

Walton Goggins Brings Southern Charm and Comedic Fire

Known for dramatic roles in shows like The White Lotus and The Righteous Gemstones, Walton Goggins proved he’s got the timing and presence to command the SNL stage. His monologue balanced humor with personal stories, as he addressed the internet’s obsession with labeling him a “middle-aged sex symbol” — poking fun at both his receding hairline and his newfound fanbase.

He also introduced his mother in the audience, and the two shared a touching dance moment. It was a genuine, charming introduction that made it easy to root for him the rest of the night.

Sketches That Stood Out

“Founding Fathers and the Second Amendment”

In a historical parody, Goggins played a passionate revolutionary arguing for the inclusion of “guns” in the Constitution. The sketch turned a serious topic into a hilarious group debate, highlighting how strange some modern laws might seem in their original context.

“Tiny Baby Shoe”

An offbeat music video-style sketch followed a fairy-tale romance built around a single baby shoe. Featuring Goggins and cast members in fantastical costumes, it leaned into absurdism and visual comedy. Love it or not, it was definitely memorable.

“Brunch With Mom”

This sketch saw Goggins playing a flirtatious waiter serving two young men and their mothers at a fancy brunch. His over-the-top charm and innuendo-filled jokes were reminiscent of his character from The Righteous Gemstones, and his comedic delivery landed perfectly.

“Service Dogs at the Theater”

A more physical comedy sketch involved a theater performance that went off the rails due to a very distracting canine audience. Goggins played a dramatic actor whose serious scene was constantly interrupted by barking and movement. The chaos had the audience laughing throughout.

“The Boss’s Bathroom” 

In this surreal sketch, a junior employee discovered an unsettling item — a child-sized stool — in his boss’s bathroom. The concept was strange but executed with just enough subtlety to be hilarious. Goggins’ straight-faced delivery made the bizarre setup even funnier.

Arcade Fire Delivers Atmospheric Performances

Returning to the SNL stage for their sixth appearance, Arcade Fire performed two tracks from their new album Pink Elephant. Their first song, the album’s title track, featured haunting vocals and moody visuals that perfectly complemented their signature sound.

For their second number, “Year of the Snake,” the energy turned introspective and experimental. The emotional tone was amplified when frontman Win Butler smashed his guitar at the end — a rare display that left a lasting impression.

Weekend Update: A Sharp Satirical Roundup

Anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che were in top form, skewering current events and public figures with sharp one-liners and irreverent humor. Highlights included commentary on the Vatican, new political appointments, celebrity news, and summer blockbusters.

Standout Update guests included:

• Mikey Day as a man unraveling after walking through a spiderweb — a sketch that leaned heavily on physical comedy.
• Heidi Gardner as a midwestern mom giving NYC travel tips based entirely on Facebook posts. Her character’s mix of confidence and misinformation hit just the right tone.

These segments also felt like subtle send-offs or nods to cast members potentially preparing to move on after this landmark season.

Final Thoughts: SNL Nears Its 50th Finale With Momentum

This episode checked all the boxes: an exciting first-time host, strong musical guests, surprise returns, and a range of sketches that delivered both laughs and surprises.

Walton Goggins proved to be a versatile and likable host, capable of handling the weird, the heartfelt, and the totally absurd. Cecily Strong and Colin Jost’s cameos gave longtime fans a rewarding moment of nostalgia. And Arcade Fire‘s performances brought depth and atmosphere to the night.

As we move toward the season finale, this episode showed SNL still knows how to surprise, entertain, and make cultural moments that spark conversations well beyond Saturday night.

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