Gerard Butler channeled his inner Hugh Jackson to host Saturday Night Live last night. The versatile actor, who has starred in every genre in movies from romantic comedy, to action films and musicals, was right at home in front of the live New York audience.
The first time host added funny man to his resume. In his opening monologue, he reminded us of his starring role in “The Phantom Of The Opera” with a sketch of him singing the signature “Music of The Night”. As he sang, a group of assassins tried to kill him, including the Phantom’s Christine played by Kristen Wiig.
Beauty & The Beast:
Butler held an impressive American accent for some of his sketches but spoke in his native Scottish tongue during a segment from Weekend Update in which Seth Meyers translated for the US audience–“I slept with a hooker last night”, Butler told his mother watching at home through Meyers.
Other memorable sketches of the night were a spoof of “300” in which Butler, The General,
addressed his troops about his army’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. In it, he was surprised to find out that all of his soldiers were gay and Butler was as the hilarious “White Pete” in a sketch in which, Kenan Thompson hosts a talk show called called “What’s Up, What’s That” where he sings the opening theme song that never seems to end as guests (including surprise guest James Franco) look on, wondering if they will ever be interviewed. “White Pete” comes out and sings an addition to the theme song. Butler did his best soul crooner impersonation as “Pete” wondered “What’s Up, What’s That” in song.
International superstar Shakira was the musical act, singing two electrifying songs, including her hit song “She Wolf” and “Did It Again”.
Trying out a new concept, the show had only one sponsor Bud Light Golden Wheat which allowed them to show limited commercials in favor of showing clips throughout the show of some of SNL’s funniest moments and outtakes from the dress rehearsals with alums, Amy Poehler, Tim Meadows, Chris Rock, and Chris Parnell.
The audience stayed energized throughout the 90 minute show which proved to be one of the funniest shows of Season 35 thus far.
The show will show repeats for the next two weeks before returning with a new show on November 7 with Taylor Swift pulling double duty as host and musical guest.
