Bad Bunny kicks off 'SNL' 51st season with a group of new faces and jabs at his Super Bowl critics
Share this @internewscast.com

NEW YORK (AP) — Bad Bunny commenced the 51st season of “Saturday Night Live” with some timely humor about his upcoming high-profile engagement: the Super Bowl.

“I think everybody is happy about it — even Fox News,” the music superstar quipped during his monologue, alluding to opposition from certain quarters about his selection as the headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show.

He continued with a few sentences in Spanish, expressing Latino pride and joy over the achievement, then noted: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn!” Bad Bunny will be making history by performing entirely in Spanish, a landmark moment for Latino culture.

Starting a season that introduces some new faces in the cast, the show’s cold open featured a sketch mocking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s presentation to generals earlier in the week.

“Weekend Update” host Colin Jost portrayed Hegseth, emphasizing the defense secretary’s comments about being “tired of seeing fat troops.” He remarked on the unacceptability of overweight generals and admirals at the Pentagon.

“No fatties, no facial hair, no body hair,” Jost’s Hegseth stated. “Just hot, shredded hairless men who are definitely not gay. … Because this is serious, we are facing the greatest threat to freedom and democracy the world has ever known. And we all know what that threat is.”

“Late night TV!” replied James Austin Johnson as President Donald Trump, bursting in.

“‘SNL’ 51 off to a rough start,” Johnson’s Trump added. “Seventeen new cast members and they got the ‘Update’ guy doing the open.”

After a fanfare-filled 50th season celebrating the past, “Saturday Night Live” is looking to the future with a cast that includes five new featured players. Several cast members have departed the show.

Bad Bunny is having what can only be described as an enormous week: in addition to hosting “SNL,” he’s coming off a historic residency in Puerto Rico, and on Sunday came the Super Bowl news.

His moment in the spotlight hasn’t come without some political discourse. The Puerto Rican artist has said one of the reasons his residency bypassed the continental U.S. was a concern that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials could target immigrants for deportation outside his shows.

Asked Friday by a podcaster whether ICE officials would be conducting enforcement at the Super Bowl, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said they would, because DHS “is responsible for keeping it safe.” She didn’t specify whether the officials would be conducting immigration enforcement or other law enforcement duties that are typical at the event.

The issue made for a key joke in the “Weekend Update” segment. “A Trump adviser said ICE agents will attend the Super Bowl after Bad Bunny was announced as the halftime performer,” noted co-host Michael Che, then quipping: “You know, to catch all those farmworkers who can afford Super Bowl tickets.”

In his second “SNL” hosting gig, Bad Bunny was joined by musical guest Doja Cat, making her debut in that role.

He was featured in many of the show’s comedy segments, including a spinoff of the popular sketches in which George Washington attempts to educate soldiers about his new country’s language and customs. Here, Bad Bunny played a Spanish ruler in 900 A.D. explaining how the language would have both masculine and feminine nouns — with Benicio Del Toro making a surprise appearance.

Bad Bunny will be followed as hosts in subsequent weeks by Amy Poehler and Sabrina Carpenter. All three were highlights of the 50th season celebrations, with Bad Bunny performing at the “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert ” and also serving as the final musical guest last season.

SNL alumna Poehler, in her second solo hosting gig, will front the Oct. 11 episode alongside first-time musical guest Role Model. Her episode will air 50 years to the day of the very first episode of “Saturday Night Live,” on Oct. 11, 1975.

Carpenter, who was a major attraction of the anniversary celebrations, is pulling double duty as host and musical guest on Oct. 18.

The revamped cast comes on the heels of several high-profile departures, including Ego Nwodim and Devon Walker. Ben Marshall, already an “SNL” writer, becomes a featured player, along with newcomers Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska.

Nwodim, Walker, Emil Wakim and Michael Longfellow all confirmed last month on their social media accounts that they are leaving the show.

The show picked up 12 Emmys last month for its 50th season and anniversary programming, including an award for outstanding variety special.

“I won this award for the first time 50 years ago, in 1975,” Michaels said, accepting the Emmy, adding that he didn’t dream of doing the same show for the next 50 years.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Unlocking Crime Mysteries: How Science and Technology Aid SLED in Cracking Violent Cases in South Carolina

Columbia, S.C. (WSPA) – In a recent presentation to lawmakers, the South…

Supreme Court Reinstates Controversial Trump-Era Transgender Passport Policy: Implications and Reactions

On Thursday, the Supreme Court upheld the Trump administration’s policy allowing the…

May 2024 Marion Farmers Market Shooter Found Guilty

MARION, Va. — A man involved in a shooting incident at the…

Airlines Announce Refunds and Free Flight Changes Amid Government Shutdown Chaos

(The Hill) — In response to the historic government shutdown, several airlines…

Damascus Resident Faces Charges Following In-Depth Drug Trafficking Investigation

In a significant development out of Washington County, Virginia, a resident of…

Revolutionary Robotic Technology in Savannah: Precision Targeting of Lung Cancer Unveiled

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — On Thursday, healthcare professionals in Savannah showcased their…

OpenAI Confronts Seven Lawsuits Alleging ChatGPT’s Role in Suicides and Delusions

OpenAI is currently grappling with a series of seven lawsuits alleging that…

Decatur Salvation Army Launches Festive Holiday Campaign with Ringing Bells and Shining Kettles

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — With Christmas just around the corner, the Salvation…

Florida Man’s Dramatic Ceiling Collapse Lands Him in SWAT’s Grasp Amid Barricade Standoff

SEBASTIAN, Fla. (WFLA) — A dramatic incident unfolded in Sebastian, Florida, when…

Revolutionizing Crime Solving: How Science and Tech Empower SLED to Crack Violent Cases Across South Carolina

In Columbia, S.C., legislators received an enlightening briefing from the South Carolina…

Georgia’s Key Player Injuries: Impact on Mississippi State Showdown Revealed

ATHENS, Ga. — As the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs gear up for their…

Val Demings Enters Florida Governor’s Race Amidst Crowded Field of Candidates

In a developing political landscape, Democratic Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has…