SNL Recap: Ryan Gosling Hosts As Harry Styles Guest Stars

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This week’s episode of Saturday Night Live, featuring host Ryan Gosling and a special appearance by Harry Styles, was another hit for the show.

The latest episode of the live comedy show got off to a strong start and maintained a good energy throughout. Here’s a look at some of the best moments from this week.

Ryan Gosling’s SNL Monologue

Ryan Gosling hosted Saturday Night Live for the fourth time, and many believe this episode was his strongest yet. During his opening monologue, he noticed Harry Styles – who’s hosting next week – in the audience. Pretending to be surprised, Gosling jokingly asked Styles why he was there. Styles explained he wanted to watch and get ready, but Gosling playfully protested. Throughout the monologue, Gosling kept getting distracted by Styles, and the camera crew even intentionally gave them both a lot of screen time, creating some funny moments.

SNL’s Battle of the Riddles

Three cyclops—played by Gosling, Kenan Thompson, and Mikey Day—are on a quest for hidden treasure behind a locked door. Two guardians, Ashley Padilla and Veronica Slowikowska, tell them they need to solve a riddle to open it. After the cyclops struggle with a couple of very easy riddles, the women decide to just give them the key.

Gosling and the Pastry Factory

Ryan Gosling plays McTreat, a character similar to Willy Wonka, who eagerly anticipates showing a group of fans around his factory with his employees, Slowikowska and Day. However, the tour quickly takes a dark turn when it’s revealed that the factory workers, who resemble Oompa Loompas, have been secretly taking their own lives. The company handyman, Kenan Thompson, explains this is a bizarre mating ritual: the males die after successfully reproducing, ensuring the females and their offspring have enough to survive.

SNL’s Flops of the Night

Saturday Night Live had another good show overall, but one sketch didn’t quite work as well as the rest.

The Wedding Reception

A bride (Sarah Sherman) and groom (Day) are giving a speech at their wedding reception. During a toast, it was revealed that they had a tradition where the newlyweds must kiss if their guests tap their champagne glasses with a knife. Gosling portrays a creepy bystander who keeps trying to get the couple to kiss. Things got very awkward very quickly as the character even demanded that two siblings who were making a toast kiss.

Saturday Night Live airs new episodes Saturdays at 11:30 PM ET and 9:30 PM PT.

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2026-03-08 10:08