Gorillaz are the musical guests.

*Saturday Night Live *recap: As Ryan Gosling kicks off show, next week’s host Harry Styles steals some spotlight

Gorillaz are the musical guests.

By Andy Hoglund

Andy Hoglund

Andy Hoglund is a writer at **. He has worked at EW since 2019.

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on March 8, 2026 12:46 a.m. ET

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Ryan Gosling promotes his 'Saturday Night Live' on March 3 hosting gig. Credit:

Rosalind O'Connor/NBC

Welcome Coneheads to the latest SNL in Review. Please take a seat. *Saturday Night Live*’s Connor Storrie episode last week was well-received by most of you, almost 80 percent. Still, there was some controversy around the show — well, at least regarding one of the cut sketches they posted online.

Tonight’s host is Ryan Gosling. It’s his fourth time hosting and he’s quietly amassed a strong track record as host over the past dozen or so years. Beavis + Butthead went viral, a gigglefest. "Papyrus" is classic.

Former *SNL* cast member John Milhiser says Gosling "can do it all. He's funny, grounded and charming. We all love Ryan Gosling. He's a national treasure."

I am excited for tonight’s musical guest. Gorillaz is a (now iconic) virtual band brought to life through four animated personas: 2‑D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs. On Letterman back in 2010, the group translated their virtual concept into late night by putting Damon Albarn and a full live band onstage with animated visuals, plus stylized staging representing the band’s fictional identity.

Ryan Gosling reveals his daughters hilariously subbed in for alien costar while filming 'Project Hail Mary'

'SNL' recap: Connor Storrie debuts as host, Hudson Williams cameos

Tonight’s appearance marks a milestone moment, timed to their’ 25th anniversary and a new album cycle, bringing the animated band to Studio 8H for the first time. So my understanding is their live shows combine real musicians performing live (partially hidden) with animated visuals of the characters, using screens and projections. Should be fun!

“Hegseth Iran Presser” Cold Open

Next up on C-SPAN, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (Colin Jost) is doing a keg stand. Relax, it’s Sprite. Woof, this again. References to Papa Roach, *Family Guy*, and ”Under the Sea”. He takes questions from members of the media. Will there be boots on the ground in Iran? Watch and find out!

Kristi Noem has been “reassigned under the bus.” She (Ashley Padilla) comes out to note she wasn’t fired, she self-deported.

Next week’s host Harry Styles is in the audience. Gosling calls him out immediately. I remember when Gosling himself did this. Gosling begins singing about the pale blue dot and his new movie — but the camera keeps panning away, selecting Harry!

Sarah Sherman comes out, asking about their big alien dance number*. But he’s too distracted. He tries to sing… a song by Harry, “Sign of the Times,” to Harry. Struggling, a frog-throated Gosling attempts to recreate his "I’m Just Ken” moment from the Oscars. He’s flailing. Some of the cast comes out, in alien garb, to support him. I like this!

(**Milhiser noted to me earlier that Gosling is “a good dancer. We love a good dancer. When someone is a good dancer I only see green flags! No red flags in sight.")

”Wedding Tradition"

A bride and groom address their guests. There’s a clinking of the glasses, so they have to kiss. A strange man in gold (Gosling) has never heard of this. He’s very curious. “Kiss, you have to,” he purrs. “Kiss, I don’t… make the rules.” He has a long thin ponytail, dressed like Reba McEntire at the Grammys. Kate McKinnon would be pleased with Gosling’s performance, I think. He breaks saying the word "poozy."

I think Gary Kroeger might have something to say about the Donny-Marie kiss we get from Jeremy Culhane and Jane Wickline!

"Otezla"

Plaque psoriasis commercial — but we don’t know what this drug… is, or what it does, or how it works. It looks like a pill, but it isn’t. It might be alien. It has no none weaknesses or vulnerabilities. It’s moving through time different from us. Brilliant stuff.

"The Treasure of Darlor"

Three cyclops are looking for treasure. They approach a locked door and face the test of the mind. They must solve a riddle. They don’t… get the premise of this. Two maidens (Ashley Padilla, Veronika Slowikowska) get frustrated trying to explain the rules, the riddle. They want the door opened.

Padilla breaks a few times, channeling Heidi Gardner, and the crowd gets amused.

"Monty McTreat & The Pastry Bakery”

A golden donut lets the tour visit a Willy Wonka-style factory. McTreat (Gosling) notes his Oompa Loompa creatures — not realizing they are currently very suicidal. It turns out it is spring and their routine is to mate, then the males make room for the women and children by killing themselves. Yike! Gosling’s quirky candy master didn’t know they had culture or society or religion. Good work from Slowikowska.

Gorillaz, “Clint Eastwood"

A fun treat: "Clint Eastwood"! I remember first watching the music video back on MTV2 in like 2001. Del the Funky Homosapien is at 8H — that’s pretty amazing.

"Weekend Update”

Kristi Noem has been fired! The first member of Trump’s cabinet to be fired. Kalshi and Iran is also discussed. RFK Jr. being compared to an air-fried Walton Goggins. More *Heated Rivalry* jokes! This is, Che hopes, their Emmy show.

It’s technically so the official pastor update with his band leader Teddy (James Austin Johnson) comes out to give a blessing. This is vintage Kenan Thompson. He discusses the green room snacks with band leader — Che was hoping they’d say something unifying. Instead, Kenan starts singing Flo Rida.

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW SNL”