Glen Powell SNL Recap
The return of Will Forte’s MacGruber highlights a memorable Saturday night.
Glen Powell brought his signature charm and sharp comedic timing to Saturday Night Live in his hosting debut. Joined by musical guest Olivia Dean, the Running Man star delivered a night full of standout sketches and surprise twists, while Dean lit up the stage with two soulful performances.
Here are all the highlights from Powell’s episode of SNL.
Epstein White House Briefing Cold Open
The episode’s cold open took on the Epstein files with a politically charged parody. Ashley Padilla played White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, while James Austin Johnson returned as President Donald Trump. Reporters press Trump on the Epstein revelations, and Trump offers to sell framed copies of the files for $800. The sketch riffs on conspiracy theories and media spectacle, delivering sharp commentary with trademark SNL satire.
Watch Epstein White House Briefing Cold Open here.
Glen Powell Monologue
Powell’s first-ever SNL monologue was equal parts charming and personal. He opened up about his long road to Studio 8H — he was supposed to host years ago when he starred in Top Gun: Maverick — and shared a heartwarming twist: He flew in the UPS driver who was there when he first got the call to host. The actor leaned into his ubiquity in film and TV, saying even he’s “tired of seeing his face,” but proved he’s earned this moment.
Watch Glen Powell Monologue here.
Weekend Update
Colin Jost and Michael Che pulled no punches, tackling the Epstein email dumps, Trump’s latest “defenses,” and political absurdity. Reporters and hosts trade brutal one-liners about scandal and power, showing that even Weekend Update wasn’t shying away from the big, messy story.
Watch Weekend Update here.
Norwegian Movie
Powell and Chloe Fineman star in a spoof of upscale Nordic cinema that goes off the rails. Powell plays an overdramatic Norwegian actor, breaking character mid-shoot as the “director” yells “cut” and the actors reveal how ridiculous their film really is.
Watch Norwegian Movie here.
Haircut
One of the episode’s simpler sketches delivers a classic cringe moment: Padilla arrives at a dinner with a high-fashion haircut that’s absolutely unwearable for “normal people.” The cast’s reactions — polite horror, disbelief, and faux supportive — make the sketch memorable.
Watch Haircut here.
AI Photos
In this surreal digital sketch, a woman (Padilla) and her family use an AI app to animate old photos of her late husband (played by Powell). The results? Glitches, mutated bodies, and wild visual distortions. There’s body horror, warped memories, and a very confused AI app — all played for laughs.
Watch AI Photos here.
Sebastian Maniscalco
Marcello Hernández channeled comedian Sebastian Maniscalco at a wild bachelor party, exaggerating his trademark mannerisms and delivery. As the party’s host, Powell tries (and fails) to keep things in check as “Maniscalco” takes over with hilariously over-the-top, high-pitched complaints.
Watch Sebastian Maniscalco here.
Bob Army
Powell embraced his goofball side in a “military fashion sketch, playing a soldier in the “Bob Army” — a flamboyant army division that competes with the rival “Bang Battalion” for style points, sass, and serious hair.
Watch Bob Army here.
I Miss My Ex’s Dad
One of the sweetest (and weirdest) musical sketches sees Powell and others sing a country-style ballad about how they don’t miss their exes — they miss their ex’s dads. The song is silly, nostalgic, and curiously beautiful.
Watch I Miss My Ex’s Dad here.
Taken: Airport
In a hilarious spoof on action films, Powell plays the Liam Neeson-esque “hero dad” who once rescued his daughter from kidnappers. But in the airport, things are awkward. His ex-wife and her new husband face off, and the emotional baggage is as heavy as his heroics.
Watch Taken: Airport here.
Olivia Dean Musical Performances
Olivia Dean brought soulful, emotional depth in her two musical performances: “Man I Need,” a simmering, heartfelt track, and “Let Alone the One You Love,” which showed off her smooth vocals and timeless stage presence. Her set offered a calming contrast to the night’s wild sketches.
Watch her performances of “Man I Need” here and “Let Alone the One You Love” here.
MacGruber: Epstein Files
Will Forte returned as MacGruber, this time dealing with the Epstein files. He and Powell scramble to hide or destroy incriminating documents, culminating in bombastic chaos, deflection, and comedic panic.
Watch MacGruber: Epstein Files here.
Watch Saturday Night Live on Peacock and NBC, live coast-to-coast, Saturdays at 11:30p ET. Stream every episode now on Peacock.
