Teyana Taylor Shines as a Host While SNL Faces Challenges in Recent Episode
Teyana Taylor Makes Her Mark as First-Time Host on Saturday Night Live
In a vibrant debut as the host of Saturday Night Live, Teyana Taylor showcased her versatility, balancing her roles as a model, Grammy-nominated singer, and a potential Best Supporting Actress contender for her performance as Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson’s film One Battle After Another. Humorously reflecting on her multifaceted career during her opening monologue, Taylor remarked, "I’ve lived many lives," alluding to her rise from appearing on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 to winning The Masked Singer Season 7.
The Harlem-born artist, who is currently attending culinary school, likened herself to a “Glade plug-in,” saying, “Why only plug me into the bathroom when I can make the whole building smell good?”
Despite her evident comedic and dramatic talents, Taylor was occasionally hindered by underwhelming material. The night began on a lackluster note, with a sketch featuring Taylor and Kenan Thompson as airport staff delivering news of delayed flights through song. As part of the duo Shrimp & Grits, they parodied well-known tracks, informing impatient passengers of their flight’s unfortunate status. When the pilot, played by James Austin Johnson, finally appeared, he revealed his inebriated state by referencing songs like “Blame It” and “4 Minutes.”
Later in the evening, a satirical skit called “NFL on ESPN” took a comedic turn as it transformed from conventional sports coverage into absurd promotions for a fictional show titled “Quefs,” described as “a steamy new lesbian culinary drama” guest-starring Gavin Newsom. This sketch primarily relied on wordplay that echoed similar-sounding terms.
The episode also included a pre-taped sketch titled “Toy Commercial,” which parodied OBAA action figures, underscoring the mature themes associated with the film. Notably, characters included Leonardo DiCaprio’s burnt-out revolutionary equipped with a joint, while Benicio del Toro’s sensei was depicted with “a few small beers.” The sketch culminated in a comedic twist featuring Daniel Day-Lewis’s iconic line from There Will Be Blood.
One memorable highlight featured Taylor as an elderly grandfather in an uproarious dance skit alongside Kam Patterson’s character. Even with the help of a walker, Taylor displayed impressive energy as she danced to Earth, Wind & Fire. The sketch humorously escalated when her character collapsed, only to be revived by the DJ’s music.
In yet another standout moment, the skit “Backstab Island” showcased Taylor as the sole contestant seeking genuine friendship amidst a cast of cutthroats. The clever writing and fun one-liners, such as “My personality disorder is my greatest advantage,” added layers of humor.
The evening’s serious note came in a sketch titled “Beyond the Headlines," which offered a grave political commentary reminiscent of previous SNL segments. However, as the sketch unfolded, it fell short of its potential, with jokes that diminished the intended critique of systemic issues in America, culminating in an awkward punchline referencing a former NBA star.
On "Weekend Update," co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che targeted President Donald Trump and ICE, while guest appearances included Hernandez as a “Gen Z translator,” delivering a memorable insight about cultural appropriation.
In a final flourish, the Brooklyn-based alt-rock band Geese performed their new tracks “Au pays du cocaine” and the high-energy “Trinidad,” rounding out Taylor’s debut episode.
Overall, Teyana Taylor’s first appearance as host combined moments of brilliance with occasional shortcomings, yet her dynamic presence was undeniable.
