Jake Gyllenhaal Hosts SNL, All You Need to Know about the Finale
As the host for last weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live, acclaimed actor Jake Gyllenhaal ends Season 49 with a bang.
Season 49 of Saturday Night Live featured several memorable, show-stopping hosts, such as Ryan Gosling, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi. Now, for the season’s final episode, fans were expecting an episode and host that would make an impact. Luckily, Gyllenhaal came to deliver as the host of the season finale.
#SNLFINALE TONIGHT
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) May 18, 2024
with Jake Gyllenhaal and @SabrinaAnnLynn
Watch LIVE on @nbc and @peacock
Stream next day on @peacock pic.twitter.com/4jqAsnKCSK
After the cold open, Gyllenhaal begins his third visit to the SNL stage with his opening monologue. The Brokeback Mountain actor jokes about working alongside Conor McGregor in his most recent film, Road House. He also pokes fun at his role as host of the Season 49 finale. “When you think of historic television seasons,” he jokes, “the first number that pops into your head is 49.” Gyllenhaal then kicks off the rest of the episode by singing a spoof of Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road,” performing the song alongside Kenan Thompson, Devon Walker, Punkie Johnson, and Ego Nwodim.
Jake Gyllenhaal's monologue! #SNLFinale pic.twitter.com/j5MNwPeXGt
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) May 19, 2024
In Gyllenhaal’s first sketch of the night, he portrays a cookie-obsessed father terrorizing his daughter’s boyfriend. In the next sketch, the Nightcrawler actor is joined by musical guest Sabrina Carpenter in a hysterically gorey parody of Scooby Doo. After this, Gyllenhaal shows off his singing chops once again as a lounge singer celebrating the “beautiful boys” of his club.
This might be the greatest SNL skit I’ve ever seen lol pic.twitter.com/YhurIFCFLZ
— vids that go hard (@vidsthatgohard) May 19, 2024
Jake Gyllenhaal tonight on snl: pic.twitter.com/8Ur69jvOIH
— tay ☆ (@skinnnydipping) May 19, 2024
Gyllenhaal then earns big laughs as a loud and painfully slow biker interrupting an ongoing breakup. Next, the Prisoners actor poses as a model in a darkly funny ad commenting on the harms of fast fashion. Then, after a stunning musical performance from Carpenter and a hilarious segment of Weekend Update, Gyllenhaal returns to the stage in a sketch about the troubles of canceling a flight.
Savage new SNL video on the fast fashion industry. Highlights the brutal reality of clothing companies' (+their investors & partners) approach to human rights & responsible business. Funny & ruthless. #RBC #FashionWithPurpose #UNGPs #EthicalTradehttps://t.co/IdbjdXOH4j
— Ben Rutledge (@BenRutledge06) May 20, 2024
After another musical performance, Gyllenhaal acts as an NYPD officer holding a press conference to address acts of violence committed against character actors. During this segment actor Jon Hamm makes a surprise guest appearance. Finally, Gyllenhaal ends the season as a cowboy going up against a rough biker whose looks can kill.
Although Gyllenhaal noted that a Season 49 finale may not seem remarkable, he surely proved himself wrong by giving fans a performance that they wouldn’t forget.
Jake Gyllenhaal leaving the studio after doing all the heavy lifting tonight #SNL pic.twitter.com/4fPznxCzkh
— Danielle Huss (@daniellehuss) May 19, 2024
You can watch the SNL Season 49 finale on CBS or Peacock. You can also check out individual sketches and musical performances on YouTube.
