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Who’s hosting Saturday Night Live this week?
Actor Josh Brolin hosted Episode 14 of Season 49 on 9 March. We take a look at who will be on the mic next.
Episode 14 of Season 49, the 962nd installment of sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live was hosted by Goonies actor Josh Brolin. It was the 56-year-old’s third appearance as host and his first in 12 years, following host appearances in October 2008 and April 2012. Providing the music was Ariana Grande, who performed a couple of tracks from her new album Eternal Sunshine - We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love) and Imperfect For You. And the previous week’s show was presented by Sydney Sweeney, making her debut as host with Kacey Musgraves as the musical guest.
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Comedian Ramy Youseff up next on SNL
It has been confirmed that stand-up comedian, actor/director Ramy Youssef will host Episode 15 of SNL which airs on 30 March. Rapper Travis Scott is lined up as the musical guest - he is expected to perform tracks from his most recent album, Utopia, which was released last year. American-born to Egyptian parents, Youseff is best known for for his award-winning TV series Ramy - a semi-autobiographical comedy series. He picked up a Golden Globe Best Actor award for Ramy in 2020, and has received two Primetime Emmy nominations for the show.
His film work includes a voice-over role in the 2023 Disney movie Wish and he attended the recent Academy Awards along with the cast of Poor Things in which he played Max McCandles, a medical assistant who first studies, then marries Bella Baxter (Best Actress winner Emma Stone), a young woman brought back to life by mad scientist Dr Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Ramy, who will turn 33 on 26 March, also appeared on USA Network’s Mr Robot and Nick at Nite sitcom See Dad Run as well as directing an episode of the hit Hulu series The Bear.
Comedy special to air in the Middle East
His new, Chris Storer-directed stand-up comedy special Ramy Youssef: More Feelings will be aired on Dubai-based entertainment streaming service OSN+ on Sunday 17 March, almost one week before it’s US broadcast on HBO on 23 March. Youssef returns to the stage “to offer his unique reflections on a divided world”.
In the trailer, he touches on how the Middle East is viewed by some, as he explains: “I’m done apologizing. I’m done saying that we’re peaceful. For 20 years we’ve had to prove to people that we’re safe, right? Every time you turn on CNN, there’s just like some Arab dude talking about how Islam means peace. You know that guy? But he’s always shouting it... He’s always like: ‘We come in peace!’ You’re like: ‘Bro, that’s the slogan for aliens.’ That’s what aliens say before they take over the planet, bro.’ I’m done. I’m done saying sorry”. Among the other topics included in the show are his thoughts on this year’s US presidential election and the importance of prayer.
Ramy will be the 15th SNL host of season 49 - previous hosts include: Pete Davidson, Bad Bunny, Nate Bargatze, Timothée Chalamet, Jason Momoa, Emma Stone, Adam Driver, Kate McKinnon, Jacob Elordi, Dakota Johnson, Ayo Edebiri, Shane Gillis, Sydney Sweeney and Josh Brolin. Hosting the last two shows of the current season will be Kristen Wiig (Episode 16) and Barbie actor Ryan Gosling (Episode 17).
Among the musical guests, we have seen Foo Fighters, Billie Eilish, Justin Timberlake and Jennifer Lopez as well as several surprise cameo appearances including: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Rachel McAdams, Lady Gaga, Mick Jagger and Pedro Pascal. Saturday Night Live airs live Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC and Peacock.